270,000 washing machines pose potential fire hazard.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)

The risk of fire has caused Maytag and Samsung to voluntarily recall many of their front-loading washers. If water leaks onto the electrical connections to the washing machine's thermal sensor, it could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a risk of fire.

The recall involves 250,000 Maytag units and 20,000 Samsung units sold from April 2005 through August 2006 at major department and appliance stores nationwide for between $1,000 and $1,200. Maytag washers have model numbers beginning with MAH9700 or MAH8700. Samsung washers have either model number WF306BHW or a model number beginning with WF316. Maytag models with a serial number ending in the last two letters listed here are part of the recall: GA, GC, GE, GG, GJ, GL, GN, GP, GR, GT, GV, GX, JA, JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, and JN. Samsung models that have the six-digit number 100001 through 799999 prior to a letter at the end of the serial number are subject to the recall. Model and serial numbers can be found on a tag at the bottom of the door opening.

For a complete list of Maytag serial numbers included in this recall, go to www.washerrecall.com. ...