Maytag dishwasher recall: 1.7 million deemed fire hazard

Maytag Corp. issued a recall of 1.7 million dishwashers sold under the Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and

Crosley brands after reports of fires starting due to electrical problems with the heating element, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

All the recalled dishwashers have plastic interiors and were sold nationwide between February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900. They came in either black, bisque, white, silver or stainless steel front panels.

Maytag told the CPSC a dozen consumers reported problems with the heating element that started several fires including one that caused extensive kitchen damage. Maytag had an even larger recall in 2007 involving more than 2 million dishwashers that was prompted by 135 reports of fire caused by faulty wiring.