Dishwasher recall could cost Bosch-Siemens €700m

BERLIN, GERMANY: The recall of millions of dishwashers that are at risk of catching fire could cost German electronics group Bosch and Siemens Hausgeraete up to €700m, the German weekly Focus reported.

In an announcement published on its website in August, the household appliances group said dishwashers manufactured between 1999 and 2005 and branded Bosch, Siemens, Neff, Constructa and Junker+Ruh ran the risk of overheating and catching fire because of a faulty electrical part.

The recall affects at least 5m dishwashers worldwide.

According to Focus magazine, a BSH official said during an internal crisis meeting in Munich several weeks ago that the recall could cost the joint venture up to €700m.

In 2009, 500,000 BSH dishwashers suffering from the same malfunction were recalled in the United States, where 51 incidents and 30 fires were recorded.

In Germany alone, BSH has recorded a total of 69 dishwasher incidents involving overheating.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge