Recall 1: Haier heat pump tumble dryers – 8 brands affected

Machines manufactured: December 2019 to May 2024. Recall status: Active and ongoing as of the December 2025 OPSS update.

Certain integrated heat pump tumble dryers manufactured by Haier have been found to have an internal short circuit fault that can occur during normal use and cause the machine to ignite. No misuse or fault on the part of the owner is required for the risk to arise.

The recall is being enforced under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the UK government body responsible for product safety regulation.

Which brands are affected by the Haier recall?

Haier manufactures appliances sold under multiple brand names in the UK. All eight of the following are included in this recall. Each has its own dedicated safety check page where you can enter your serial number to confirm whether your specific appliance is affected.

Not all models within these brands are affected. You must verify using your specific model number and 16-digit serial number.

What happened with the first Haier repair programme?

This recall has had an important and troubling development that all owners need to understand. Haier launched an initial modification programme in early 2025 covering approximately 103,000 machines. In August 2025, OPSS ordered Haier to halt this programme after finding the modification was insufficient and did not fully remove the fire risk.

This means that if your machine was modified before 1 August 2025, it may still present a fire risk and you should not assume it is safe.

Following an updated modification, Haier resumed its programme in September 2025. As of the December 2025 OPSS update, approximately 85,000 machines had still not received the correct modification and remained at risk. The programme is ongoing.

How do you check the rating plate on your machine?

Check the rating plate on your machine, usually found on the inside of the door or door recess. Look for the following markings.

Even if your machine shows “HM1” or was modified before 1 August 2025, use the official manufacturer checker above to confirm your current status and arrange the updated free-of-charge modification.

What should you do right now if your Haier-made dryer is affected?

1. Find your model number and 16-digit serial number. These are usually on a label inside the door or door recess.
2. Check the rating plate for a J7 or HM1 marking as described above.
3. Enter your serial number at the relevant manufacturer link from the table above to confirm whether your specific appliance is affected.
4. If affected, stop using the appliance immediately and unplug it if the plug is accessible.
5. Contact the manufacturer to arrange a free-of-charge modification by a qualified engineer. Do not use the machine until the work has been completed and confirmed safe.
6. If your machine was previously modified before 1 August 2025, contact the manufacturer again regardless. Your machine may require a further visit under the updated programme.

Official government notices

The full OPSS safety notices and current affected model lists are published on GOV.UK. Whitegoods Help recommends checking these directly, as the affected model list may be updated over time.

View the official OPSS safety report for this recall on GOV.UK

View the December 2025 OPSS update on GOV.UK

Recall 2: Whirlpool Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline vented and condenser dryers

Machines manufactured: April 2004 to September 2015. Recall status: Active for any unmodified machines still in use.

This is a separate, older and larger recall that has been ongoing since 2015. Vented and condenser tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 under several brand names were found to have a fault where lint and fluff could build up near the heating element, presenting a fire risk during use.

The scale of this recall is significant. The fault originally affected 5.2 million dryers and has been linked to at least 750 confirmed fires in the UK. Despite years of recall activity and a full government recall order in 2019, a substantial number of unmodified machines were estimated to remain in UK homes. Some may still be in use today.

Which brands are affected by the Whirlpool recall?

Important

Whirlpool-branded tumble dryers are not part of this recall. Only the five brands listed above are affected. The recall covers vented and condenser dryers only, not heat pump models, which fall under Recall 1 if applicable.

What should you do if your Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan or Proline dryer is affected?

1. Find your model number. Usually on a label inside the door, on the rear panel, or in your original paperwork.
2. Check at safety.hotpoint.eu by entering your model number. You can also call the Whirlpool helpline on 0800 151 0905.
3. If your machine is unmodified and affected, unplug it and stop using it immediately.
4. Contact Whirlpool to arrange a free replacement. Under the full recall order, owners of unmodified machines are entitled to a replacement machine delivered and installed at no cost, with the old machine removed.

If your machine was already modified

Machines modified under the original Whirlpool programme are considered safe. If you are unsure whether your machine was modified, check using the model checker or call 0800 151 0905.

What are your consumer rights under these recalls?

Legal information, not legal advice

The following is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact Citizens Advice or your local Trading Standards service.

The primary legislation relevant to these recalls in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is:

• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 – the specific regulation under which both recalls are being enforced by the OPSS. Electrical appliances must meet defined safety objectives when placed on the market, and where they do not, the manufacturer is required to take corrective action. This is the legislation cited in the official OPSS safety reports for the Haier recall.
• General Product Safety Regulations 2005 – the broader framework requiring all consumer products to be safe when used as intended. Still current in Great Britain, though the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (which received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025) is enabling legislation giving the government powers to update and reform this framework over time through future secondary legislation. No immediate changes to consumer rights have yet been made under this Act.
• Consumer Rights Act 2015 – provides rights when purchasing goods from a retailer, including entitlement to repair, replacement or refund depending on the circumstances and age of the product.

In practical terms, for both recalls on this page, all remedies are free of charge and arranged directly by the manufacturer. You should not be asked to pay anything for an engineer visit, modification or replacement machine. Where a safety defect has been formally identified, your rights are not limited to the manufacturer’s standard warranty period.

If you experience difficulty getting a satisfactory response from a manufacturer, contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards, Citizens Advice, or your local Trading Standards service.

Northern Ireland residents

From 13 December 2024, Northern Ireland operates under the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (2023/988) rather than the UK’s General Product Safety Regulations 2005. The practical consumer rights and recall processes described on this page remain the same, but the underlying legal framework differs. Visit GOV.UK product safety alerts for current guidance applicable to Northern Ireland.

What tumble dryer fire safety precautions apply to every household?

Regardless of whether your machine is subject to a recall, tumble dryers are one of the most common causes of domestic fires in the UK. The following precautions apply to all makes and models.

• Never leave a tumble dryer running unattended. Do not run it while you are out of the house or asleep.
• Clean the lint filter after every single cycle. A blocked filter is a leading cause of overheating.
• Clean the condenser unit regularly. On condenser and heat pump dryers, hair and fluff accumulate on the heat exchanger grille and should be cleared every few months.
• Ensure vents are not blocked. Do not push the machine flush against a wall if it has a rear vent.
• Do not dry items contaminated with flammable substances. Cooking oils, petrol and similar products remain a fire risk even after washing.
• Fit and test smoke alarms. Particularly in rooms where the tumble dryer is located.

Why does appliance registration matter?

If your appliance is registered with the manufacturer, you will be contacted directly in the event of a safety notice or recall. Without registration, you may only find out through media coverage, or not at all.

Registration is free and takes a couple of minutes. You can register any appliance at registermyappliance.org.uk, the official government-backed appliance registration service.

You can also check for any current UK product safety alerts at the OPSS product safety database on GOV.UK.

Related safety guidance from Whitegoods Help

Appliance safety in the home

Practical guidance on safe use of all domestic appliances, including fire risks and prevention. See our appliance safety guidance.

DIY repair safety

If you intend to inspect any appliance yourself, read our DIY appliance repair safety guide first. Never attempt to repair a recall-affected machine yourself – always use the manufacturer’s free modification programme.

Book a qualified engineer

For any tumble dryer fault that is not covered by a manufacturer’s safety recall, book a qualified appliance engineer for inspection and repair.

Frequently asked questions about UK tumble dryer recalls