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- May 2013
- Recall of Electric Washing and Drying Machines Manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Free Parts Replacement)
Joint Release with the Consumer Affairs AgencyRecall of Electric Washing and Drying Machines Manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Free Parts Replacement)
A serious product accident occurred in an electric washing and drying machine manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd, causing the product to ignite.
This accident was announced as a serious product accident on October 2, 2012, in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, which relates to an accident of unclear origin in a product other than a gas or oil appliance (Control No. A201200471).
The cause of the accident is under investigation, but it is thought to be that due to varying quality in the properties of diodes used in the power-supply circuit on the electrolytic board that controls the generation of electrolyzed water.* In the product in question, the diodes emitted heat abnormally, and the sparks generated in the case of the electrolytic base ignited accumulated dirt from clothing during a drying operation, finally causing the product to ignite.
To prevent further accidents, Sanyo has issued a press release today and will provide parts replacement for the products subject to a recall free of charge.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) would like to warn consumers who have purchased the products in question that they should receive free parts replacement from the manufacturer in order to prevent any further accidents.
* Electrolyzed water is produced by the electrolysis of tap water, which includes active enzymes and electrolyzed hypochlorous acid which decompose light sebum dirt.
1. Nature of the accident and recurrence-prevention measures
(1) Nature of the accident
A serious product accident occurred in an electric washing and drying machine manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd, and was reported to METI in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Consumer Products Safety Act (Control No. A201200471). There was no injury caused.
The cause of the accident is under investigation, but it is thought to be that due to varied quality in the properties of diodes used in the power-supply circuit on the electrolytic board in the product in question, the diodes emitted heat abnormally, and the sparks that were generated in the case of the electrolytic base ignited accumulated dirt from clothing during a drying operation, causing the product and the surroundings to ignite, which expanded the damage.
In the past, another serious product accident also occurred in the same type of product as the one in question above (Control No. A201100056). The cause of the accident was not identified since the electrolytic board was seriously burned out, but it is thought to be similar to that of the present product in question, considering the type of fire damage discovered.
(2) Recurrence-prevention measures
To prevent further accidents, Sanyo has today issued a press release and posted more information on its website. The company will also announce the occurrence of the accident in newspapers to be issued on May 16, 2013, and will provide parts replacement free of charge.
2. Products to be recalled: outline of the products, appearance, and how to check the data
1) Product name, product number, serial number, manufacturing period, and quantity of the products to be recalled
| Product name | Product number | Serial number | Manufacturing period | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical-drum washing and drying machines | AWD-E105ZA | All | Sep. 2005- Nov. 2008 |
41,300 |
| AWD-E105ZB | 600001-604000 | Nov. 2008- Feb. 2009 |
4,000 | |
| Total | 45,300 | |||
2) Appearance of the products to be recalled and how to check the data
Concerning the recalled products, the product number and manufacturing number are indicated as below:
3. Actions by the company
The company will provide parts replacement free of charge.
4. Notice by the company
- Press release:
- May 15 (Wed.), 2013
- Website:
- May 15 (Wed.), 2013
- Newspaper:
- May 16 (Thur.), 2013
- Sending notices to stores:
- May 16 (Thur.), 2013, onward
- Posters put up at stores:
- May 15 (Wed.), 2013, onward
- Notice to known purchasers of the products by phone or sending emails directly, according to the customers' information at stores:
- May 15 (Wed.), 2013, onward
5. Alert to consumers
Anyone who has purchased any of the above products should immediately contact the company as below.
6. Contact
- Telephone:
- 0120-34-9180 (toll-free)
- Service hours:
- 9:00 to 21:00, every day until June 14, 2013;
9:00 to 17:00 from June 15, 2013, onward (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) - Website:
- http://www.panasonic.co.jp/sanyo/info/products_safety/130515.html (in Japanese)
* Inquiries about the products manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. will also be accepted at the above website.
Release Date
May 15, 2013
Division in Charge
Product Accident Information and Analysis Office, Product Safety Division, Commerce and Distribution Policy Group