Viking Dishwasher Recall Expanded Following 21 Reports of Fires

More than 18,000 Viking dishwashers have been recalled following reports of the electrical components overheating, which have resulted in at least 21 fires. 

The Viking dishwasher recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on August 6, following at least 136 consumer complaints involving problems where the electrical connecters overheated.

The dishwashers were originally recalled in 2012, but an expansion notice was issued this week, indicating that at least 21 fires and property damage complaints have been identified. To date, no injuries have been reported.

The original Viking dishwasher recall was issued after only 21 reports of electrical connectors overheating, which resulted in five catching fire and causing property damage. The original recall only included about 2,000 Viking dishwashers.

Since the 2012 recall, Viking has received an additional 136 consumer complaints indicating the electrical connectors overheated either rendering the machine useless or causing it to catch on fire. An additional 21 fires have been reported since the original recall as a result of the electrical connector’s issue, prompting the manufacturer to recall an additional 18,600 machines.

The recall includes Viking Professional, Designer and Custom Panel dishwashers with model numbers DDB200, FDB200, VDB200, DFB450, VDB450, VDB325, and DDB325 with date codes before 120110. The recalled dishwashers were manufactured before April 1, 2011, and the date of manufacture can be found in “MMDDYY” format represented by the first six digits of the serial number located inside the dishwasher on the door panel. The dishwashers measure 24 inches wide and were sold in black, white and 24 other custom colors and have the name brand “Viking” engraved on the control panel at the top of the door.

The dishwashers were manufactured in the U.S. under Viking Range LLC, of Greenwood, Mississippi where they were sold at appliance and specialty retail stores nationwide from July 2008 through March 2012 for between $1,225 and $2,000.

The CPSC announced that in addition to the previously recalled 2,000 dishwashers, and expansion will include roughly 17,300 sold throughout the U.S. and another 1,300 distributed for sale in Canada.

Viking is asking consumers to stop using the dishwashers immediately and contact them at 800-241-7239 for a free in-home repair. Customers with questions or further inquiry may visit the company’s website at www.vikingrange.com and navigate to the “Safety Recall Information” link.