Hotpoint Creda & Indesit Tumble Dryer Fire Risk
This is one of the largest appliance fire risk safety notices ever issued in the UK. It covers potentially millions of Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit tumble dryers, along with some lesser-known related brands. All are part of the same manufacturing group – Whirlpool. If you own one of these brands and your dryer was made between April 2004 and September 2015, you need to check whether it is affected.
Whirlpool have updated their advice and now recommend that owners of affected dryers do not use them until the modification has been carried out. Do not wait to have this checked. Use the links below to verify your model.
What Is the Risk?
Whirlpool issued the following statement about the affected dryers:
“A potential concern with two types of tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. In some rare cases, excess fluff can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire.”
In practice, tumble dryers – particularly condenser dryers – can accumulate significant amounts of fluff inside over time. This can result from poor filter design, damaged filters, or filters not being cleaned after every use. When this build-up contacts the heating element, there is a risk of ignition.
Which Tumble Dryers Are Affected?
Affected brands: Hotpoint | Indesit | Creda | Proline | Swan
Manufacture dates: April 2004 to September 2015
Over 100 different models are covered by this notice. It is safe to say that most Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit tumble dryers made between these dates are likely to be affected.
This does not guarantee your dryer is unaffected. Dryers can sit in stock for some time after manufacture before being sold. The date that matters is when the machine was manufactured, not when it was purchased. Check your model using the links below.
How to Check If Your Dryer Is Affected
Find the model number and serial number on the label inside the door opening and enter them into the relevant manufacturer website:
Follow any instructions provided after entering your details.
What Is the Green Spot Sticker?
Check your tumble dryer for a small green spot sticker – look inside the door, near the door seal, or anywhere on the machine including the back. A green spot sticker indicates that the fault has already been addressed on that machine, most likely by an engineer who carried out a modification prior to the formal announcement of the safety notice. If a green sticker is present, the modification is likely to have been done – though it is still worth checking through the official process to confirm.
Is It Safe to Keep Using an Affected Dryer?
The original safety notice stated that consumers could continue using their dryers provided they were not left unattended while operating. Whirlpool subsequently updated this position, advising that owners of affected dryers should not use them at all until the modification has been carried out. This is the only responsible approach – if the dryer has not been checked and modified, the safest course is not to use it.
If the machine has not been checked and a fire starts, you need to be present and able to deal with it. If you must use the dryer before the modification is done, remain present at all times and ensure you have a suitable means of dealing with a fire. If this is not possible, do not use the machine.
Update: Government-Ordered Recall
Following sustained campaigning by Which?, the UK government took the unprecedented step of ordering Whirlpool to recall affected dryers. This is covered in the BBC’s report: Whirlpool told to recall dryers in ‘unprecedented’ government move.
General Advice on Tumble Dryer Filter Maintenance
This safety notice underlines the importance of filter maintenance on all tumble dryers – not just those covered by this notice. Filters must be cleaned after every use. Condenser dryers in particular can have several filters, some of them not immediately obvious and located behind panels or doors. Blocked or neglected filters cause overheating and increase fire risk.
Whitegoods Help has always advised against leaving any washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running unsupervised – and this safety notice confirms why that advice matters.
Check your appliance now
37 Comments
Grouped into 25 comment threads.
1 reply I recently had an engineer out to my cooker and he noticed I had a hotpoint dryer , he checked it and said it hasn't been modified and that it is a danger to use , I have gone on the recall part and my dryer serial number said it is OK but the engineer said it isn't OK and took out the fuse and put a red danger sticker on , he said I could get a replacement because the dryer is old and not modified , he took the top off it and said its definitely not been modified, please advise
1 reply I have a creda condenser dryer number T622CW. Serial number 15100403. Is this model safe please
I have a creda condenser dryer number T622CW. Serial number 15100403. Is this model safe please
0 replies I have successfully had my Indesit tumble dryer 'fixed' by the engineer from Whirlpool. I was not informed to stop using it while it waited for the fix. I was initially booked for August 2016 but the month and subsequent months drifted by. I now find, having not used the dryer for most of the year, that it is only half as efficient as it was since the fix even though it has not been used for a number of months, ie. wear and tear not an issue. Before the fix it only took up to 2 hours to dry a bundle of kids clothes. Now it takes at least 4. Indesit tell me the fix only has a 90 day warranty and if you complain within the 90 days they will send an engineer. Nothing is 'broken' so what is an engineer going to do? They replace the back plate, seal and add a 'mechanical pin' between the panel and the drum to 'ensure no build up of fluff can occur'. But they can't provide me with a picture of the pin or the plate. My advice to anyone still outstanding - take a new model at extra cost, the fix is inefficient.
I have successfully had my Indesit tumble dryer ‘fixed’ by the engineer from Whirlpool.
I was not informed to stop using it while it waited for the fix.
I was initially booked for August 2016 but the month and subsequent months drifted by.
I now find, having not used the dryer for most of the year, that it is only half as efficient as it was since the fix even though it has not been used for a number of months, ie. wear and tear not an issue. Before the fix it only took up to 2 hours to dry a bundle of kids clothes. Now it takes at least 4.
Indesit tell me the fix only has a 90 day warranty and if you complain within the 90 days they will send an engineer.
Nothing is ‘broken’ so what is an engineer going to do?
They replace the back plate, seal and add a ‘mechanical pin’ between the panel and the drum to ‘ensure no build up of fluff can occur’. But they can’t provide me with a picture of the pin or the plate.
My advice to anyone still outstanding – take a new model at extra cost, the fix is inefficient.
1 reply Well I have one with the Green Sticker which started to not dry very well so I opened up the back to reset the thermostat, loads of fluff inside the main chamber and it was starting to build up in the element housing so the modification is not a cure. The thermostat is no longer re settable but don't think this dryer has an more use and its a trip to the skip for it.
Well I have one with the Green Sticker which started to not dry very well so I opened up the back to reset the thermostat, loads of fluff inside the main chamber and it was starting to build up in the element housing so the modification is not a cure. The thermostat is no longer re settable but don’t think this dryer has an more use and its a trip to the skip for it.
Likely replying to Kommando
Hello Kommando. It’s concerning if your dryer has been modified but still collecting dangerous amounts of fluff near the heating element. It’s hard to judge how bad it is though without knowing when the modification was carried out. It’s possible it wasn’t done properly. I’ve heard anecdotal evidence that some modifiers have not been doing the modification properly. I’ve heard some engineers claiming their customers had someone out to modify their dryer but were only in the house 10 minutes which is in no way long enough.
However, it’s only hearsay, it’s also hard to imagine anyone employed by the manufacturer and told of the risk of the dryer catching fire would be so crazy as to deliberately not do it. There’s also a possibility that something else has gone wrong since the modification was done that could explain the fluff.
0 replies Many thanks for the update Derek. It seems I was right to assume that if the serial number wasn't accepted by the tool it was because they are unaffected dryers. However, I was reluctant to state that anything other than speculation or an educated guess due to the serious nature of the issue. They definitely do need to make this clear on their web tool page. Just a brief look at the comments on this article show that many people have been unnecessarily worried and stressed about it.
Many thanks for the update Derek. It seems I was right to assume that if the serial number wasn’t accepted by the tool it was because they are unaffected dryers. However, I was reluctant to state that anything other than speculation or an educated guess due to the serious nature of the issue.
They definitely do need to make this clear on their web tool page. Just a brief look at the comments on this article show that many people have been unnecessarily worried and stressed about it.
0 replies Today I got through to the phone helpline. It had been impossible to enter my Drier Model and Serial number on the website almost certainly because they are not of a format the website is designed to accept. My Model Number is T622CW - Serial Number is 24102882. I was told all machines with 8 digit serial numbers are NOT affected. So mine isn't. I suggested they post this information on their website!
Today I got through to the phone helpline. It had been impossible to enter my Drier Model and Serial number on the website almost certainly because they are not of a format the website is designed to accept. My Model Number is T622CW – Serial Number is 24102882.
I was told all machines with 8 digit serial numbers are NOT affected. So mine isn’t. I suggested they post this information on their website!
2 replies Hi I have Creda Simplicity Dryer mod T522vw s/n 25100275 don't know the year made. does this model pose a threat! I take the rear panel off and remove any fluff no sign of any burning around the element.
Hi I have Creda Simplicity Dryer mod T522vw s/n 25100275 don’t know the year made. does this model pose a threat! I take the rear panel off and remove any fluff no sign of any burning around the element.
Likely replying to Ray Holter
Hello Ray. You need to go to the manufacturer’s web site and enter your FULL model number and serial number into their tool. According to their tool their model numbers are much longer than the ones printed on instruction manuals and control panels. Check the example they give.
If there is no fluff anywhere near your heating element there’s nothing to catch fire regarding this particular safety issue but if it’s an affected model you can’t be complacent. I could be wrong but I thought the affected dryers had the element at the front. I’m not 100% sure though.
0 replies Many thanks Jacqueline. That's very helpful. It looks like it's as I suspected, the tool doesn't recognise models that are unaffected. Anyone concerned though should ring them to check if their dryer was made between April 2004 and September 2015.
Many thanks Jacqueline. That’s very helpful. It looks like it’s as I suspected, the tool doesn’t recognise models that are unaffected. Anyone concerned though should ring them to check if their dryer was made between April 2004 and September 2015.
0 replies Having the T622CW i contacted them by phone and after no wait at all was told that model was not affected. Good news for us.
Having the T622CW i contacted them by phone and after no wait at all was told that model was not affected. Good news for us.
0 replies Update: Whirlpool finally change their advice Whirlpool have now (over 2 years later) changed their advice inline with my above article. They are now advising people with affected dryers NOT to use them until they have been fixed! This is the only common sense and safe attitude to adopt unless someone is stood watching one with fire extinguisher to hand.
Update: Whirlpool finally change their advice
Whirlpool have now (over 2 years later) changed their advice inline with my above article. They are now advising people with affected dryers NOT to use them until they have been fixed!
This is the only common sense and safe attitude to adopt unless someone is stood watching one with fire extinguisher to hand.
Leave a comment
0 replies Are your dryers definitely potentially affected? That is, ".. manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015"? I can only advise that you try to contact Whirlpool to clarify this. There could be some issue with the tool. But I can only assume that the most likely explanation for why the model numbers aren't accepted is because they are from tumble dryers that are not affected. I obviously can't confirm this though. So please get back and update us if you find out the answer. It would be very helpful for others.
Are your dryers definitely potentially affected? That is, “.. manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015”?
I can only advise that you try to contact Whirlpool to clarify this. There could be some issue with the tool. But I can only assume that the most likely explanation for why the model numbers aren’t accepted is because they are from tumble dryers that are not affected. I obviously can’t confirm this though. So please get back and update us if you find out the answer. It would be very helpful for others.
0 replies I've also tried checking but won't accept details. i have creda T622CW serial 23102480 no other model or serial number on machine. Sticker on back same as front.
I’ve also tried checking but won’t accept details. i have creda T622CW serial 23102480 no other model or serial number on machine. Sticker on back same as front.
2 replies HELLO - I have a Creda Model number T622CW Serial Number 24102882. Similar to other correspondents. The website will not accept these details. The problem is clearly not due to the 8digit serial number. As the website reports a problem before the complete serial number is entered. The format of Model Number it is looking for is apparently different. But T622CW is the whole number on my machine. I believe the machine was purchased in 2004... but I have no idea when. Happy to email photos if this can help.
HELLO – I have a Creda Model number T622CW Serial Number 24102882. Similar to other correspondents. The website will not accept these details. The problem is clearly not due to the 8digit serial number. As the website reports a problem before the complete serial number is entered. The format of Model Number it is looking for is apparently different. But T622CW is the whole number on my machine. I believe the machine was purchased in 2004… but I have no idea when. Happy to email photos if this can help.
Likely replying to Derek
Hello Derek. I can only assume that people who are getting an error on the check if affected form aren’t entering the proper details. I have an article about finding model numbers which describes how the model number on the front of the control panel is often not the full model number (How to find the proper model number (and serial numbers) on a washing machine)
If you look at the example they show when the error comes up the model number they require is much longer than T622CW. The example they give is ABC 12343 ECO (UK).
Look at the serial number label carefully. See if you can see something more like ABC T622CW ECO (UK)
Thanks for your response. There are two labels on the machine. – front and back. I read the advice, the only serial number information is T622CW nothing else anywhere. Perhaps one day I’ll get through on the phone line… but the wait is hours at the moment. I suspect this machine predates the series’ with problems and their website hasn’t been set up to recognise this number.
1 reply PS. TDL52S are not on the recall l;ist though it does caveat to say I should still check.
PS. TDL52S are not on the recall l;ist though it does caveat to say I should still check.
Likely replying to Peter
Hello Peter, you are the 3rd person with a serial number that can’t be checked because it’s a digit short. I keep asking questions like how old is it and requested photos of the label but no one comes back. I can only assume people can’t check their serial number because they have different models that aren’t affected but that’s why I asked when they were bought to try and get an idea.
Only Indesit will know for sure.
0 replies My Hotpoint Aquarius also has an 8 digit serial number. It is a TDL52S. Is it affected?
My Hotpoint Aquarius also has an 8 digit serial number. It is a TDL52S. Is it affected?
1 reply Hi my creda dryer t622cw serial 25102941 I cannot check either what can I do please
Hi my creda dryer t622cw serial 25102941 I cannot check either what can I do please
Likely replying to Tim
Hi Tim, You have the same issue as Peter so the same answer I gave applies for you. Also, when did you buy the dryer? Affected dryers were all supposed to have been manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. Could your dryer be older or newer? It seems strange that you both have 1 number short in your serial numbers.
1 reply My Creda tumble drier Model T601CW serial number 87104946 cannot be entered on the site. Apparently because the Serial Number has only 8 digits rather than the 9 shown in the example. How can I proceed?
My Creda tumble drier Model T601CW serial number 87104946 cannot be entered on the site. Apparently because the Serial Number has only 8 digits rather than the 9 shown in the example. How can I proceed?
Likely replying to Peter Birch
Hello Peter. Sadly the manufacturer’s page for checking is not very good, there’s no contact details for anyone with a problem. This is most likely deliberate as there are millions of affected dryers. It could be that all dryers affected have 9 numbers and if yours definitely only has 8 numbers in the serial number it might be unaffected. Can you send me a photo of your model and serial number label (use my contact page to get in touch). Also how old is it? (Affected dryers were manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015).
1 reply Hi - we have an Indesit tumble dryer that needs the modification. The retailer is not willing to help us using their cover plan as quote 'it is not FAULTY - just needs a modification.' As such they say we also cannot claim under the Sale of Goods Act as 'not fit for purpose' Is this correct
Hi – we have an Indesit tumble dryer that needs the modification. The retailer is not willing to help us using their cover plan as quote ‘it is not FAULTY – just needs a modification.’ As such they say we also cannot claim under the Sale of Goods Act as ‘not fit for purpose’
Is this correct
Likely replying to Liz
Hello Liz. I’d have said it needs a modification because of a design fault? You could just as easily say that a fault in the design is making it potentially dangerous to use and therefore not fit for purpose. The sale of goods act specifically says that if you can prove an appliance has an inherent fault then they breached the act when they sold it to you because the fault was present when sold. We all know that it isn’t the retailer’s fault in any way, but unfortunately the sale of goods act makes them responsible.
A lot depends on how old it is, they may be within their rights to knock off half the cost of a new one for example if the dryer is already halfway through its expected average lifespan. Hotpoint are offering heavily discounted replacements themselves dependent on how old they are but are also trying to repair newish ones.
0 replies You have to follow the instructions under, "How to check if your dryer is subject to the safety notice" in the article Brenda. It only takes a minute.
You have to follow the instructions under, “How to check if your dryer is subject to the safety notice” in the article Brenda. It only takes a minute.
0 replies My Creda model is T622CW ser. 28101049 is it ok to use
My Creda model is T622CW ser. 28101049 is it ok to use
0 replies They are struggling to cope with this as millions of dryers are affected. I think they are trying to modify as many as they can as long as they are fairly new but many people are being offered a new Hotpoint dryer for £99 or less depending on how old it is. I would expect the modification should do the trick but it may well be possible to demand a refund from the retailer under the sale of goods act as the dryer was clearly sold with an inherent fault. However, that route would be most likely to be met with resistance from the retailer who would be most likely to fob people off to the manufacturer.
They are struggling to cope with this as millions of dryers are affected. I think they are trying to modify as many as they can as long as they are fairly new but many people are being offered a new Hotpoint dryer for £99 or less depending on how old it is. I would expect the modification should do the trick but it may well be possible to demand a refund from the retailer under the sale of goods act as the dryer was clearly sold with an inherent fault. However, that route would be most likely to be met with resistance from the retailer who would be most likely to fob people off to the manufacturer.
0 replies Hi, I have one of the affected Hotpoint dryers. After many emails and tweets I finally received a call today and have been told an engineer will call out next week to modify it. I am just concerned as to whether this will definitely make the dryer safer. Or should I demand a new one? Hotpoint said that 2 modifications would be done. Firstly they would fit a new bearing kit and a grill to allow airflow. And Secondly the engineer will fit a cover over the filter to stop the fluff getting into the machine. Does this sound like a reasonable adjustment to the dryer or do you think i am being fobbed off?
Hi, I have one of the affected Hotpoint dryers. After many emails and tweets I finally received a call today and have been told an engineer will call out next week to modify it. I am just concerned as to whether this will definitely make the dryer safer. Or should I demand a new one? Hotpoint said that 2 modifications would be done. Firstly they would fit a new bearing kit and a grill to allow airflow. And Secondly the engineer will fit a cover over the filter to stop the fluff getting into the machine. Does this sound like a reasonable adjustment to the dryer or do you think i am being fobbed off?
1 reply Mine did smoke luckily only a small piece of fluff was ignited my daughter was home and was so frightened.when the engineer came out in Oct I ask if it would catch fire he laughed at me and told me not to be silly like I was stupid,it has now come to light that mine is one that is effected but yet Hotpoint have still not been out,I don't want to risk a modification I want a replacement or even my money back so I can go else were but I just get fobbed off
Mine did smoke luckily only a small piece of fluff was ignited my daughter was home and was so frightened.when the engineer came out in Oct I ask if it would catch fire he laughed at me and told me not to be silly like I was stupid,it has now come to light that mine is one that is effected but yet Hotpoint have still not been out,I don’t want to risk a modification I want a replacement or even my money back so I can go else were but I just get fobbed off
Likely replying to Christine
Hello Christine. Unless I’ve misunderstood something about this safety recall they’ve been modifying them when they visit for other reasons for some time. Yours should have been modified if an engineer came. They place a small green circular sticker on the dryer if they’ve modified it so have a look for one. They should place it behind the door but it could be put on the back somewhere. Most people are being offered new dryers at discounted prices because it appears they haven’t a cat in hells chance of dealing with the millions of dryers affected.
0 replies Use the link in my article under "What do do". Put in your model number and if it is one that's affected the manufacturer's web site will tell you exactly how to get it fixed.
Use the link in my article under “What do do”. Put in your model number and if it is one that’s affected the manufacturer’s web site will tell you exactly how to get it fixed.
0 replies hi i have a dryer and i was sent a letter home which gave me an access to a free repair visit at home but i have missed placed the letter can i please get the link
hi i have a dryer and i was sent a letter home which gave me an access to a free repair visit at home but i have missed placed the letter can i please get the link
I recently had an engineer out to my cooker and he noticed I had a hotpoint dryer , he checked it and said it hasn’t been modified and that it is a danger to use , I have gone on the recall part and my dryer serial number said it is OK but the engineer said it isn’t OK and took out the fuse and put a red danger sticker on , he said I could get a replacement because the dryer is old and not modified , he took the top off it and said its definitely not been modified, please advise
Hello there. The only thing you can do is to directly contact Hotpoint. If you are 100% sure that you have entered the correct model number, and the correct serial number, and their website says your tumble dryer is not affected, then it may well be that the engineer has made a mistake. However, the issue with these dryers is that they can catch fire, they can set a kitchen or house on fire. Therefore, it would be very unwise of me to advise you that it is okay to use.
You would think that the engineer would know, but it’s possible that either he’s made a mistake, or even that there is a mistake on the database on their website which has meant that your dryer has been given the all clear by mistake.
Unfortunately, the checking website is designed in such a way that you only get told what to do if you enter an affected model and serial number. If your model and serial number is not being recognised as an affected dryer, then you can’t get access to the “what should I do next?” information.
Bear in mind that it specifically says that, “Dryers manufactured after September 2015 are not affected by this issue.” However, this is misleading in my opinion unless you bought one some years after 2015. This information would cause someone who bought a Hotpoint tumble dryer, say in October or November 2015 to just ignore the problem and potentially leave themselves vulnerable to a fire. It should be obvious that buying a tumble dryer in October 2015 does not in any way mean that the tumble dryer was made in October 2015. It could very easily have been made prior to September 2015. Therefore, the only true way to be sure is to enter the full model and serial number into their site, but as this engineer has advised you that it is dangerous, you need to telephone Hotpoint to find out.