Sanyo Electric Co. is recalling 45,300 washing machines manufactured between 2005 and 2009 because of risks of smoke or fire due to components overheating.
The Panasonic group company said it came up with the decision after investigating three heat damage cases affecting two models between 2009 and 2012. No injuries were reported, it said.
Subject to the recall are all 41,300 AWD-E105ZA units made between September 2005 and November 2008 and 4,000 AWD-E105ZB units with the product numbers between 600001 and 604000 manufactured between November 2008 and February 2009.
A diode built into the circuit boards in these washer-dryers could overheat, damage components and cause sparks, Sanyo said. The company is calling on owners to stop using them and offering free repairs.