The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·93042·Announced 1993-02-15

Sears Kenmore Dishwashers Recalled Due to Timer Fire Hazard

Sears is recalling Kenmore dishwashers sold after February 1990 because the timer may short out and catch fire. Consumers should stop using affected units and call for free repair.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported property damage (smoke damage to cabinets/countertops) but explicitly states no injuries or deaths have been reported, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Sears Merchandise Group is voluntarily recalling 21 models of Kenmore dishwashers sold between February 1990 and October 1992. The recall involves approximately 400,000 units. The problem is that an internal leak may cause the dishwasher's timer mechanism to short out and overheat, which can result in a fire.

To date, there have been 30 reports of timer failures due to shorting out and overheating. Four of these units developed fires, resulting in smoke damage to surrounding countertops and cabinets. Sears has reported no injuries associated with these fires or timer failures.

Consumers who purchased these dishwashers should immediately stop using them and turn the power off or unlatch the door until serviced. Owners should check their model and serial numbers against the list provided by Sears and call 1-800-998-8470 to arrange for free service. A Sears technician will install new parts and inspect other components at no cost to the customer.

The recalled product

Product
Certain Sears Kenmore Dishwashers May Pose Fire Hazard
Manufacturer
Sears
Category
Consumer Product — Dishwashers
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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