What could be causing my GE washer to leak periodically?

My GE S2000 series washer has leaked on several occassion, but recently I saw that the leak was coming from a plastic "overflow(?)" pipe on the left, rear side of the tub looking from the front. The plastic pipe has an opening at the bottom, and the water just streamed out. We have a water softener, so could the leak be from using too much detergent? If not, what? This leak occurs inconsistently.
Thanks!