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- September 2012
- Reannouncement of Recall (Free Inspection and Parts Replacement) of Washing Machines Imported by Haier Japan Sales Co. Ltd and Sanyo Haier Co. Ltd
Reannouncement of Recall (Free Inspection and Parts Replacement) of Washing Machines Imported by Haier Japan Sales Co. Ltd and Sanyo Haier Co. Ltd
Serious product accidents have occurred in washing machines that were imported by Haier Japan Sales Co. Ltd and Sanyo Haier Co. Ltd (dissolved in March 2007) from 2002 to 2006, causing the products to ignite and leading to extensive damage to the surroundings.
To prevent further accidents, Haier Japan Sales has inspected the products subject to the recall and replaced the parts free of charge since November 12, 2010.
However, even after the company took such measures, an additional eight serious accidents have occurred to date, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) decided to ask consumers, again, who have purchased the products in question, to have the products inspected or have the parts replaced free of charge in order to prevent any further accidents.
As additional information, the eight serious product accidents were already reported to the Consumer Affairs Agency in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Consumer Products Safety Act.
1. Nature of the accidents and recurrence prevention measures
1) Nature of the accidents
Eight serious product accidents have occurred in washing machines that were imported by Haier Japan Sales Co. Ltd and Sanyo Haier Co. Ltd (dissolved in March 2007) from 2002 to 2006, which were caused by deteriorated insulation on an operating capacitor inside the products, resulting in ignition of the products (no human casualties were reported in the eight accidents).
2) Recurrence-prevention measures
To prevent further accidents, Haier Japan Sales has issued a press release today, while keeping the information on the recall posted on its website as well as making telephone calls, etc. to purchasers using consumer information, for raising further awareness of the inspection of the products to be recalled and parts replacement free of charge.
2. Products to be recalled
1) Model number, quantity, sale period, manufacture number
| Model number | Quantity | Sale period | Manufacture number | Confirmation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JW-Z20A | 12,600 | April 2002 - October 2005 | All | See Method[i] below |
| BW-Z20A BW-Z20B |
4,320 | April 2002 -March 2003 | ||
| JW-Z23A | 19,080 | October 2002 - October 2005 | ||
| JW-Z45A | 16,480 | January 2003 - July 2004 | ||
| JW-Z50A JW-Z50B JW-Z50C JW-Z50D |
42,628 | November 2003 - November 2005 | ||
| JW-K33A | 6,072 | March 2005 - August 2008 | E100001-E102484 F100001-F103036 G100001-G100552 |
See Method [ii] below |
| JW-K50B | 10,080 | November 2005 - March 2007 | E100001-E100800 F100001-F109280 |
|
| JW-K50C | 17,280 | January 2003 - March 2003 | E100001-E101440 F100001-F115840 |
|
| HSW-23M1 | 6,580 | January 2003 - May 2004 | All | |
| HSW-233M | 2,160 | May 2002 - August 2003 | ||
| HSW-50S1 | 40,719 | May 2003 - December 2005 | ||
| HSW-50S2 | 54,720 | October 2004 - May 2006 | ||
| HSW-50S3 | 82,887 | May 2006- February 2007 | ||
| HSW-50S5 | 13,800 | 2200001-2213800 | See Method [iii] below | |
| Total | 329,406 | |||
Percentage of the products that were repaired: 5.79% (as of August 30, 2012)
2) How to check the data of the products to be recalled
- Method [i]:
- Products to be recalled that were sold by Haier Japan Sales
Please check the product specification nameplate on which the model number and manufacture number are indicated, as shown in the diagram below: ![Method [i]](images/0921_01a.jpg)
- Method [ii]:
- Products to be recalled that were sold by Sanyo Haier
Please check an operation panel or product specification nameplate on which the model number is indicated. - Method [iii]:
- Products to be recalled that were sold by Sanyo Haier
Please check a product specification nameplate on the back or at the side of the products to be recalled on which the model number and manufacture number are indicated.
Method [ii]: Check an operation panel on which the model number is indicated.
![Method [ii]](images/0921_01b.jpg)
Method [iii]
![Method [iii]](images/0921_01c.jpg)
3. Actions by the company
The company is now conducting inspections of the products to be recalled and offering replacement of parts free of charge.
4. Notice by the company
- Press release: Friday, September 21, 2012
- Newspaper (re-announcement): Saturday, September 22, 2012
- Telephone calls, etc. to purchasers using customer information for user support: January 2013, onward
- Posting information on its website: Information posted since Friday, November 12, 2010
5. Alert to consumers
To ensure safety, anyone who has purchased any of the above products should immediately stop using them and contact the company below as quickly as possible.
Haier Japan Sales Contact Office for more information on washing machines to be recalled
- Telephone (toll free):
- 0120-865-123
- Business hours:
- 9:00-17:30 (everyday until September 23, 2012); 9:00-17:30 (Mondays to Fridays, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from September 24, 2012)
- Website:
- http://www.haierjapan.com/index.html
(in Japanese)
Release Date
September 21, 2012
Division in Charge
Product Accident Information and Analysis Office, Product Safety Division, Commerce, Distribution and Industrial Safety Policy Group