GE washing machine recall: Front loaders caught fire

If you have a GE washing machine, here's a recall you should take note of. Certain models of GE front loading washers sold nationwide between December 2006 and May 2010 can start fires, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Faulty wiring has caused at least seven of the washers to have flames shooting out of them, the CPSC said. A wire inside the machines can break and touch metal on the washtub, the safety agency said.

The washers, which sold for about $700, were made in China. About 181,000 washing machines are involved in this recall.

Just last week, Maytag issued a recall for 1.7 million dishwashers due to an electrical problem that also poses a fire hazard.

The recalled washing machines have model numbers beginning with this sequence: WBVH5. The serial numbers start with these letters: AM, AR, AS, AT, DM, DR, DS, FM, FR, FS, GM, GS, HM, HR, HS, LM, LR, LS, MM, MR, MS, RM, RR, RS, SM, SR, SS, TM, TR, TS, VM, VR, VS, ZL, ZM, ZR, ZS.

For more information or two arrange a repair, call GE weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at (888) 345-4124 or visit the company's recall site.