Is my Servis Washing maching using to much water?

My Wife has trouble driving the washing machine, despite repeated guidance, she stuffs the thing full to the gunnals and then empties a box of powder in.
Anyway, yesterday - she complains that it is not working and there was a burning smell. She had switched the machine off by the power button and by the wall.
When I get home, I have a look and the first thing I notice is the water level inside the drum. It is about 7/8 to the top of the glass. I think this is not right.

Anyway, I run the rinse / drain program and then disgorge the 17 metric tons of towels and underwear jammed into the things maw and set it off on a quick wash cycle.

Now I cannot replicate the burning smell (I have a notion the weight of clothes added to the overfilled drum may have overloaded the motor). the machine starts and the wash cycle starts and the water starts coming in. And in. And in. I switch it off with alarm thinking the drum might be breached. Drain it and leave it powered off overnight.

Next day have another go. This time the drum fills to just under half way. Sorted I think! And chide Wifey about washing both dogs at once etc..

Walking past the machine a couple of hours later and on the wash cycle - the water level is back up to around 7/8 of the glass. I watch it closely until the wash ends (another quick wash cycle) and apart from a tendency to fill up to the high water mark, all seems well and it behaves.

Now I cannot recall this washing machine ever taking on that much water during a wash and well.... it's making me nervous. What when the thing is unattended and it blithly continues to fill to the point there is a breach and it's washing the dogs out the door with the furniture?

Anyone any thoughts??!