December 12, 2025 – An incident report details an electrical fire originating in the power junction box of a Bosch SMZPCJB1UC dishwasher, causing melted wires and plastic, and internal blackening. The unit, purchased from Home Depot in July 2022, was professionally installed and had no prior issues before this fire incident occurred during an overnight cycle.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The reported incident, dated November 25, 2025, describes an electrical fire originating specifically within the power junction box of a Bosch SMZPCJB1UC dishwasher. The unit involved was purchased from Home Depot in July 2022 and was professionally installed. According to the report, the dishwasher had operated without any issues or malfunctions since its installation until this incident.
The electrical fire manifested with clear and significant signs of heat damage within the junction box. These signs included melted wires, melted plastic components, and extensive blackening on the interior of the junction box case, indicating a high-temperature event. The incident occurred while the dishwasher was operating overnight. As a result, no occupants of the home were awake to detect early warning signs such as smoke, the smell of burning plastic, or unusual noises. This lack of immediate detection highlights the inherent danger of such an electrical malfunction, particularly when appliances are left to operate unsupervised.
Safety Concerns
This incident involving an electrical fire in a dishwasher’s power junction box raises several serious safety concerns for consumers:
- Immediate Dangers: Electrical fires pose an immediate and severe risk of property destruction, serious injury, or even fatalities. An undetected electrical fire, especially within an appliance operating overnight or unattended, can rapidly escalate, potentially engulfing a home before occupants are aware of the danger. The rapid spread of fire and smoke can quickly create hazardous conditions.
- Long-Term Risks: Even if an electrical fire is contained, it can leave behind significant structural and cosmetic damage to the appliance itself, surrounding cabinetry, walls, and other property. Smoke and soot residue can penetrate materials throughout the home, leading to long-term air quality issues and requiring extensive cleanup and restoration.
- Who Might Be Affected: Homeowners, their families, and pets are directly at risk from fire, smoke inhalation, and potential carbon monoxide poisoning. In multi-unit dwellings, a fire originating in one unit could also pose a risk to neighboring residents and their property if it spreads.
- Property Damage Potential: Electrical fires can lead to catastrophic property damage. Beyond the total loss of the appliance, fires can destroy kitchens, homes, and personal belongings. The financial cost of repair, replacement, and temporary relocation due to fire damage can be substantial.
What Consumers Should Do
Given this reported incident, consumers who own Bosch dishwashers, particularly the model mentioned, should take precautionary measures and be aware of potential risks:
- Immediate Steps to Take: If you observe any signs of an electrical issue with your dishwasher, such as a burning smell, visible smoke, sparks, unusual buzzing or popping sounds, or if your circuit breaker frequently trips when the dishwasher is running, immediately turn off the appliance at the circuit breaker. Do not attempt to use the dishwasher again and contact a qualified technician or the manufacturer.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product: Verify if you own a Bosch dishwasher model SMZPCJB1UC. The model number is typically located on a label found around the inner edge of the dishwasher door frame, on the side of the door, or on the appliance’s rating plate.
- Prevention Measures: Ensure that all major appliances are installed by qualified professionals according to manufacturer instructions and local electrical codes. If your dishwasher is older, consider having its electrical connections inspected by a licensed electrician. While the exact cause of this specific incident is under investigation, it’s generally advisable to avoid running dishwashers or other major appliances when nobody is home or awake, particularly if you have an older unit or have noticed any previous electrical irregularities.
- Reporting Procedures: If you own this model and suspect a potential issue, or if you have experienced a similar incident involving a Bosch dishwasher or any other consumer product, it is crucial to report it. Contact the manufacturer (BSH Home Appliances Corporation) and file a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Your report helps identify patterns and prompt potential recalls.
Manufacturer’s Response
The manufacturer, BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION, has responded to this incident report. However, specific details regarding the nature of their response or any actions they may be taking are not publicly available in the incident report at this time.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.