Whirlpool washing machine recall: half a million UK appliances potentially dangerous

This is everything you need to know about the latest major recall from the manufacturer.
The new recall
About 20 per cent of Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines since 2014 are affected by a fault that can cause the door locking system to overheat, creating the risk of a fire.
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Hide AdWhirlpool explained, “When the heating element in the washing machine is activated, in very rare cases a component in the door lock system can overheat, which, depending on product features, can post a risk of fire.”
According to Whirlpool (owner of the two brands) 79 fires are thought to be attributed to the fault, which develops over time.
Full list of affected models
This is the full list of models affected by the recall:
FML 742P UK Hotpoint
WMAOD 743G UK Hotpoint
WMAOD 743P UK Hotpoint
WMAQB 721P UK.M Hotpoint
WMAQC 641P UK.M Hotpoint
WMAQC 741G UK Hotpoint
WMAQC 741P UK Hotpoint
WMAQC 741P UK.M Hotpoint
WMAQF 621G UK Hotpoint
WMAQF 621P UK Hotpoint
WMAQF 641 P UK.M Hotpoint
WMAQF 721G UK Hotpoint
WMAQF 721P UK.M Hotpoint
WMAQL 621G UK Hotpoint
WMBF 742G UK Hotpoint
WMBF 742K UK Hotpoint
WMBF 742P UK Hotpoint
WMBF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
WMBF 763P UK Hotpoint
WMEF 722 BC UK Hotpoint
WMEF 742 P UK Hotpoint
WMEUF 722P UK Hotpoint
WMEUF 743G UK Hotpoint
WMEUF 743P UK Hotpoint
WMFG 741P UK Hotpoint
WMFG 741P UK.M Hotpoint
WMFUG 742 P UK.M Hotpoint
WMFUG 742G UK Hotpoint
WMFUG 742P UK Hotpoint
WMFUG 842P UK.M Hotpoint
WMJLF 842P UK Hotpoint
WMJLL 742P UK Hotpoint
WMSAQG 621P UK Hotpoint
WMXTF 742G UK Hotpoint
WMXTF 742K UK Hotpoint
WMXTF 742P UK Hotpoint
WMXTF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
WMXTF 842P UK.M Hotpoint
WMYL 7151PS UK Hotpoint
XWA 81252X K UK Indesit
XWA 81252X W UK Indesit
XWD 71452X K UK Indesit
What to do if you think you own an affected washing machine
Whirlpool has created a model checker website to allow customers to see if their appliance is affected, however at the time of publication (Tue 17 Dec), this website is unavailable.
Customers who bought a Hotpoint or Indesit washing machine after October 2014 would need to enter the model and serial number of their appliances to see if it was one of the recalled models. The model and serial number can be found inside the door or the back.
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Hide AdAlternatively, there is a free Whirlpool helpline that you can reach on 0800 316 1442.
If it turns out you do have an affected appliance, Whirlpool says that it should be unplugged and should not be used until it has been repaired by a trained engineer. As an alternative, those affected will also be offered a safe replacement.
When will machines be fixed or replaced?
The repair or replacement process won’t begin until early January of next year at the earliest.
This could leave households without the use of their washing machine for an unknown period of time. Whirlpool is refusing to offer refunds to customers.
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Hide AdWhirlpool stated that owners could still use their machine, despite the potential danger, and instead use it on a cold wash cycle at 20C or less, which reduces the risk. A cold cycle means that the heating element would not be activated.
Vice president of Whirlpool Jeff Noel said, “We know this will cause some concern. We especially understand that the washing machine is so important to family life, and in the Christmas holiday season it will be even more of an important matter and, for that, we apologise.”
Tumble dryer recall
Earlier this year, Whirlpool issued a recall of tumble dryers after admitting that as many as 800,000 faulty tumble dryers were sold in the UK.
A group of MPs released a report criticising the company for its slow response in modifying or replacing faulty machines.
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Hide AdThey initially launched a full product recall involving 500,000 dryers after being ordered to by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Owners who have not yet had their dryers modified or replaced are being urged to get in touch “as a matter of urgency”.
You can see the full list of affected tumble dryer models here.