WASHINGTON - General Electric Co. is recalling 2.5 million dishwashers because of a wiring problem that could cause fires.

The recall, government regulators said Wednesday, includes dishwashers sold under the brands Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint, and Sears-Kenmore.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should stop using the devices immediately and contact the company for a free repair or a rebate towards a new dishwasher.

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.

Customers with one of the affected models can receive a $150 rebate to purchase a new GE dishwasher or a $300 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE Profile of GE Monogram dishwasher.

For more information contact GE at (877) 607-6395 or visit the company's Web site.