Whitegoods Help article

Washing machines exploding

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Quick Answer

A known design and manufacturing fault in certain Hotpoint, Indesit, Hoover, and Candy washing machines produced between 2007 and 2009 can cause the inner drum to split or come apart on spin, forcing laundry and metal drum fragments through the outer plastic casing at high speed. If you own one of these machines, check whether your model is affected using the official safety notices below and reduce spin speed as a precaution.

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This article is about drum failure – not door glass

If the door glass has shattered or exploded, that is a separate issue covered in our guide on washing machine door glass danger. Continue reading this article only if the drum has burst through the top or sides of the machine.

Drum failure at high spin speed is a serious safety hazard. When an inner drum splits or separates at its seams at 1400 or 1600rpm, the centrifugal forces involved can project debris across a room at significant velocity. This is not a theoretical risk – incidents have been reported in the UK and internationally.

What Is Happening and Why

The inner stainless steel drums of affected machines are splitting at their seams or coming apart during high-speed spin cycles. When this happens, the laundry and fragments of the drum can burst through the plastic outer drum and through the lid and control panel of the machine.

Several factors contribute to this fault:

  • Modern machines spin at much higher speeds than older designs – many at 1400 or 1600rpm – placing far greater stress on the drum and its seams
  • Outer drums are now made from plastic rather than the heavier steel used in older machines. Plastic outer drums are more susceptible to being breached if the inner drum fails
  • There is credible evidence that component specifications – motors, suspension, and drum construction – have not been upgraded to match the increased stress of higher spin speeds

Which Machines Are Affected?

The fault was identified primarily in Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines, with additional reports involving Hoover and Candy machines. Machines produced during periods in 2007 to 2009 have been identified as potentially affected – particularly models with 1400rpm or 1600rpm spin speeds.

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Check the official safety notices

Hotpoint and Indesit have issued official safety notices. Check your model number against these notices to determine whether your specific machine is listed as affected. Note that the absence of a model from the official notice does not guarantee it is completely safe – the notices were issued reactively and do not necessarily cover all affected production.

What to Do if You Own an Affected or Potentially Affected Machine

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    Check your model number against the official safety notices above. If your model is listed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions – which may include a free repair or replacement.
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    Keep people and pets out of the room when the machine is on spin, particularly during the final high-speed spin cycle. This is good practice for all washing machines and appliances generally.
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    Reduce the spin speed if your machine allows it. Selecting 1000rpm instead of 1400 or 1600rpm significantly reduces the forces involved. At lower spin speeds a drum failure is less likely and, if it did occur, less violent. See our guide on washing machine spin speeds.
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    Do not leave the machine running unattended – particularly on high-speed spin programmes. This is standard safety advice for all large appliances including dishwashers and tumble dryers.
Precautions are not guarantees

Reducing spin speed and keeping the room clear are precautionary measures, not guaranteed prevention. If your model number appears on the official safety notice, the only certain solution is to follow the manufacturer’s remedy process.

Why This Happened: A Manufacturing and Regulatory Failure

The response from manufacturers to initial reports was inadequate. Early statements claimed UK machines were not affected, which proved incorrect. Later statements suggested only two models were involved, which also proved incorrect. Official safety notices were not issued proactively but only after sustained pressure from consumer groups and media coverage – which delayed the time at which affected owners became aware of the risk.

The broader lesson is that higher spin speeds impose significantly greater mechanical stress on all components – drums, seams, suspension, and the outer casing. When a drum seam fails at 1600rpm the consequences are categorically more serious than at 800rpm. The industry trend toward ever-higher rated spin speeds without corresponding improvements in component quality deserves scrutiny at a regulatory level.


Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean if a washing machine “explodes”?

In this context, it refers to the inner stainless steel drum splitting at its seams or coming apart during high-speed spin. The centrifugal forces at 1400 to 1600rpm can then project the laundry and metal drum fragments through the plastic outer drum and through the machine’s lid and control panel, throwing debris across the room.

How do I know if my washing machine is affected?

Check your model number against the official Hotpoint and Indesit safety notices linked above. The affected machines were primarily produced during 2007 to 2009. If your model is listed, follow the manufacturer’s remedy process. If it is not listed, the official notice does not guarantee it is safe – the notice was issued reactively and may not cover all affected production runs.

Can I make my machine safer without replacing it?

Partially. Reducing the spin speed to 1000rpm or lower significantly reduces the mechanical stress on the drum and the consequences if a failure does occur. Keeping the room clear of people and pets during spin provides a margin of safety if something does go wrong. These are precautions, not guarantees. If the model appears on the official notice, the manufacturer’s remedy is the only certain solution.

Why weren’t customers warned sooner?

Manufacturers initially disputed that UK machines were affected, then later claimed only two models were involved – both of which proved incorrect. Official safety notices were not issued proactively but only after sustained pressure from consumer groups and media coverage including BBC Watchdog. The delayed response meant many owners of affected machines remained unaware of the risk for a significant period.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Safety notice links are to manufacturer websites – check they remain active. Whitegoods Help is not responsible for the content of external manufacturer safety pages.

Discussion

95 Comments

Grouped into 75 comment threads.

Lorenda Holzmann 1 reply Whom do l need to contact my candy integrated washing machine started smoking during a wash.

Whom do l need to contact my candy integrated washing machine started smoking during a wash.

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Lorenda Holzmann

Hello Lorenda. It’s not necessarily related to this issue, but Candy’s contact details are on my repairs page

Anna 1 reply Bought my indesit washer 2 and a half years ago it's always been loud but at the weekend it started going crazy banging of sides and walking through kitchen then I start smelling burning plastic so I switched it off after a while and not so nervous anymore I took the clothes out only to find what looked like alot of grated plastic inside the drum and the smell was awful, I contacted Hotpoint only to be told id have to pay 110 pound for engineer and then costs for work and parts there after, I was totally shocked as this is obviously a faulty machine, we had a friend of our look inside only to find the suspension leg had ripped off the metal inside

Bought my indesit washer 2 and a half years ago it’s always been loud but at the weekend it started going crazy banging of sides and walking through kitchen then I start smelling burning plastic so I switched it off after a while and not so nervous anymore I took the clothes out only to find what looked like alot of grated plastic inside the drum and the smell was awful, I contacted Hotpoint only to be told id have to pay 110 pound for engineer and then costs for work and parts there after, I was totally shocked as this is obviously a faulty machine, we had a friend of our look inside only to find the suspension leg had ripped off the metal inside

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Anna

Hello Anna. If your washing machine’s drum has come undone at the seams and burst through the top of the outer drum it is likely to be suffering from the “exploding” drum fault as described in this article. To check, you should take off the lid and see if the outer plastic drum is in tact or not, and carefully examine the inner drum to see if it has split.

If it hasn’t then it’s a different issue. It would depend on how it’s been used, but if the drum bearings have failed it might be possible to claim against the retailer under the sale of goods act if it is in effect beyond economical repair. It does depend on how it’s been used though, so for an extreme example, if the machine was on twice a day 7 days a week it might be argued that for what they cost and the build quality they are it isn’t surprising it’s completely worn out. Conversely though, at the other end of the spectrum if it was only used by a little old lady twice a week it would be fair to say that 2 and a half years is far too short.

joyce marsden 1 reply sat 9th jan 2116 my hotpoint washing machine exploded shattering the granite worktop to pieces, i had just walked away from it, it was quietly spinning at the time so no clue as to what was going to happen. £2000 to replace worktop + the cost of a new machine and clothes. a friend sent me an email with a link to this site or i wouldn't have know about this happening to so many others.

sat 9th jan 2116 my hotpoint washing machine exploded shattering the granite worktop to pieces, i had just walked away from it, it was quietly spinning at the time so no clue as to what was going to happen. £2000 to replace worktop + the cost of a new machine and clothes. a friend sent me an email with a link to this site or i wouldn’t have know about this happening to so many others.

Anita Rudge

Hi
This happened to me a couple of months ago. Although my machine was quite old Indesit replaced my machine and compensated me for all the clothes that were ruined. Have you contacted them? Anita

Jennifer Rhule 1 reply My Indesit IWE8123 8kg has just exploded. Five minutes before this happened by 7 yr old had gone into the kitchen to put something into the bin. I'm still in shock. It sounded like a bomb. The drum and the concrete block had collasped in sounds (luckily have taken pictures) It was on the last spin and all the water had emptied out. There has been no problems whatsoever with this machine until now. The machine is 3 yrs old. The company I purchased the machine from have shut down and moved on. Can/should I still contact Indesit for advice? I typed in Indesit and the model number and so this. Any help/advice would be appreciated and would like to contact Indesit asap.

My Indesit IWE8123 8kg has just exploded. Five minutes before this happened by 7 yr old had gone into the kitchen to put something into the bin. I’m still in shock. It sounded like a bomb. The drum and the concrete block had collasped in sounds (luckily have taken pictures) It was on the last spin and all the water had emptied out. There has been no problems whatsoever with this machine until now. The machine is 3 yrs old. The company I purchased the machine from have shut down and moved on.
Can/should I still contact Indesit for advice? I typed in Indesit and the model number and so this.
Any help/advice would be appreciated and would like to contact Indesit asap.

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Jennifer Rhule

Hello Jennifer. Technically your redress is under the Sale of Goods Act which is with the retailer so it’s not good they have gone. You should definitely contact Indesit to see if they will do anything. The issue raised in this article was about washing machines made several years ago and new models should not supposed to be affected.

Vikki 1 reply Hi I have a hover all one 10 kg brought a month ago been fine until tonight it started burning I was upstairs ran down and smoke was coming from drum and draw only three pieces of clothing in it turned all electrics off and opened windows smelt like burning rubber scared to sleep now I will be making a call in morning

Hi I have a hover all one 10 kg brought a month ago been fine until tonight it started burning I was upstairs ran down and smoke was coming from drum and draw only three pieces of clothing in it turned all electrics off and opened windows smelt like burning rubber scared to sleep now I will be making a call in morning

Andy Trigg

Likely replying to Vikki

Hello Vikki. Your incident sounds different, it still sounds serious but unrelated to the exploding washing machines as the washing machine is usually very obviously severely damaged physically. It’s also not supposed to happen on new machines so if it turns out to have been caused by the inner drum punching through the outer drum please let us know.

Murray 1 reply Indesit washing machine exploded this morning ripping the kitchen countertop off and the plumbing to the sink. I thought this was a crazy incident that has never happened before. Imagine my surprise when I come across evidence this has happened many times!

Indesit washing machine exploded this morning ripping the kitchen countertop off and the plumbing to the sink. I thought this was a crazy incident that has never happened before. Imagine my surprise when I come across evidence this has happened many times!

Tony

In relation to my incident with my indesit machine the sales team only want to pass you around from person to person. They know fine about this problem but still deny it! Known to engineers as code red! Only way to get some where when on te phone is to tell tem you are sick of being passed around and that you will be going to watchdog and the papers about it. Because my machine was still under “manufacturers warranty” for 5 years on parts I still had to pay a call out fee of £100 for an engineer to come look at it. When he opened it the drum was still intact but as I had to pick up all the concrete block which shattered he picked out the remainder concrete and ordered a new concrete block. The concrete on my opinion was not mixed at the correct ratio of sand to cemente and water.

Kate McLure 1 reply Hi Andy, I have a indesit w1kl 163 which has just exploded. Just like described in a majority if these posts, drum torn apart, outer drum smashed, large bang at the end of spin cycle. I would appreciate any advice as I plan to ring customer service tomorrow when they re-open and would ideally like them to replace. From what I can gather this is very much a manufacturing fault and is in my eyes their responsibility to help however I don't want to go in blind and be passed from department to retailer trying to resolve. Many Thanks Kate

Hi Andy,

I have a indesit w1kl 163 which has just exploded. Just like described in a majority if these posts, drum torn apart, outer drum smashed, large bang at the end of spin cycle. I would appreciate any advice as I plan to ring customer service tomorrow when they re-open and would ideally like them to replace. From what I can gather this is very much a manufacturing fault and is in my eyes their responsibility to help however I don’t want to go in blind and be passed from department to retailer trying to resolve.

Many Thanks
Kate

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg)

Likely replying to Kate McLure

Hello Kate, hopefully Indesit will have a good system in place to deal with these by now but if they don’t, you need to remember that only the retailer who sold it to you has any liability in consumer law. Therefore if they don’t deal with it to your satisfaction you will have to take it up with the retailer.

julia sherrington 1 reply My Indesit WIXL 163 1600rpm exploded half an hour ago, it was on final spin and started making a bit of a strange noise then BANG! the whole thing now looks like the picture you have up above. The lid blew off along with the sides of the machine leaving bits of debris everywhere, the big chunk of concrete inside had all shattered. When we took the lid off it looked like the whole drum had blown apart trapping all of the clothes, some of them in tatters. Next job, buy a new washing machine - but choose carefully.

My Indesit WIXL 163 1600rpm exploded half an hour ago, it was on final spin and started making a bit of a strange noise then BANG! the whole thing now looks like the picture you have up above.

The lid blew off along with the sides of the machine leaving bits of debris everywhere, the big chunk of concrete inside had all shattered. When we took the lid off it looked like the whole drum had blown apart trapping all of the clothes, some of them in tatters. Next job, buy a new washing machine – but choose carefully.

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg)

Likely replying to julia sherrington

Hi Julia. The exploding washing machines were related to ones manufactured in 2007 to 2009, so in theory at least, none sold now or even recently are supposed to be affected. Let us know what happens. If damage is caused by a fault on the washing machine you should get all reasonable costs of repairing damage dealt with. I presume the Hoover engineer accepted it was a washing machine fault if you got a refund? A common cause of similar symptoms can be coins or other obstructions left inside pockets although if that was suspected I’m sure the engineer would have said so.

Thomas 1 reply Hi, I have the WIXE 167 model and the drum has just split tonight. No explosion or damage to worktops, however expensive clothes have been ripped in half. I am now left with a broken washing machine and unwearable clothes. Will Indesit replace the washing machine without fuss? And will I be giving compensation for my damaged clothes? Thanks.

Hi, I have the WIXE 167 model and the drum has just split tonight. No explosion or damage to worktops, however expensive clothes have been ripped in half. I am now left with a broken washing machine and unwearable clothes. Will Indesit replace the washing machine without fuss? And will I be giving compensation for my damaged clothes? Thanks.

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg)

Likely replying to Thomas

Hi Thomas: Check to see if your machine is one of the ones affected. It doesn’t go just on model numbers, but serial numbers too. The same model can stay in production for a period of time in which things on the production line can change. Use the link in my article under “Official Hotpoint & Indesit Safety Notices”.

If it is, it ought to be straight forward. If it isn’t, they may wash their hands of it depending how old it is. If it isn’t too old though you may well have a claim under the sale of goods act against the retailer for selling you a product with an inherent fault. It all depends on the full circumstances.

Mick Smith 1 reply I have (had) an Indesit WIXL 143 2009 which blew up on Saturday 1st Feb, I ordered a new one (Logik) on line thinking it was out of warranty so, hey ho, but then I realise when browsing the internet on Sunday that Indesit knew of this fault and didn't issue a product recall, not only has it broken our kitchen worktop but wrecked a mirror and £200 worth of clothing, I'd gone through our insurance but now Indesit can pay, I am fuming there are all these articles on the net about it and an absolutely dangerous bit of crap is sitting in people's kitchens literally blowing up. Can anyone tell me what outcome they got from complaints, they are already past their 'contact me in 24 hours' promise, so I'm not holding out much hope until the press get involved (again)

I have (had) an Indesit WIXL 143 2009 which blew up on Saturday 1st Feb, I ordered a new one (Logik) on line thinking it was out of warranty so, hey ho, but then I realise when browsing the internet on Sunday that Indesit knew of this fault and didn’t issue a product recall, not only has it broken our kitchen worktop but wrecked a mirror and £200 worth of clothing, I’d gone through our insurance but now Indesit can pay, I am fuming there are all these articles on the net about it and an absolutely dangerous bit of crap is sitting in people’s kitchens literally blowing up. Can anyone tell me what outcome they got from complaints, they are already past their ‘contact me in 24 hours’ promise, so I’m not holding out much hope until the press get involved (again)

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg)

Likely replying to Mick Smith

Hello Mick. Indesit have issued a safety notice which is linked to in my article. It took them a while but they did. Unfortunately though many people won’t know about it unless they stumble across the notice in the press or on sites like mine. This is why it’s a good idea to always register a product. Although not foolproof, when a manufacturer has a safety notice they usually contact everyone who registered the product. If they can’t, then unless someone comes across it they will be unaware.

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