GENERAL Electric Co is recalling 2.5 million dishwashers because of a wiring problem that could cause fires, The Associated Press reported.

The recall, government regulators said yesterday, includes dishwashers sold under the brands Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint, and Sears-Kenmore. GE has received nearly 200 complaints of overheating, including 12 fires caused by the washers.

The machines' wiring is susceptible to shorting out or overheating, the government said, if liquid rinse solution leak outs of dispensers.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says consumers should stop using the devices immediately and contact the company for a free repair or a rebate toward a new dishwasher.