LG Class Action Alleges ‘Imbalanced Load’ Washer Defect

UPDATE:

• This case was dismissed March 1, 2021.

A class action lawsuit claims LG Electronics top-loading washing machines have defects that cause the machine to stop in the middle of a wash cycle due to an “imbalanced load.”

Plaintiff Diana and Sherman Kroop claim they purchased an LG HE Top-Load Ultra Capacity Washing Machine, with model number WT4870CW from a Florida Home Depot in 2013.

They claim they started experiencing the “imbalanced load” error on their washing machine one year after purchasing the product. They also say that they contacted LG but were given the “proverbial runaround.”

The Kroops say LG told them that they never heard of the problem and explained the “proper” way to load the washing machine. However, the instructions they received from LG did not fix the error message, nor correct the imbalance defects.

The plaintiffs had to resort to using a laundromat because the defect became “unbearable” and incurred more than $27 in laundromat expenses because they could not use their washing machine, according to the LG class action lawsuit.

The Kroops also contacted Home Depot and were told to call Asurion, a warranty company, because they bought an extended warranty when they purchased the washing machine. Asurion reimbursed the couple for their out-of-pocket expenses but told the Kroops the company could not do anything about the imbalanced load defect.

The couple claims that LG still has not fixed the imbalance load defect. In fact, the Kroops say that during the week the LG class action lawsuit was filed, the washing machine could not complete a load consisting of two king-sized sheets, three pillowcases and a few towels.

“Consumers have reported that one load of laundry could take up to 5 to 6 hours due to the washing machine stopping the wash in the middle of a cycle numerous times,” the LG class action lawsuit alleges.

The class action lawsuit claims that LG has known about the “imbalanced load” defect since January 2012 when the company started receiving complaints from customers. In addition, LG issued a service bulletin to its dealers in February 2013 but the bulletins were not issued to the public, according to the plaintiffs.

Another service bulletin was distributed to dealers in February 2014 adding other LG models that were affected by the imbalance defect. Again, the bulletin was allegedly not distributed to the public.

The Kroops say LG updated the software in the washing machine in December 2013 to alleviate the problem, which would better identify the problem. Now, consumers were told to rebalance the load in the machine, rather than the product going directly into the spin cycle.

“LG knew, or was reckless in knowing, at or before the time it sold the first unit that the LG Washing Machines contained the Imbalance Defect. LG had sole and exclusive possession of this knowledge,” claims the LG class action lawsuit.

Do you own an LG Top Loading Washing Machine and experienced the imbalanced load defect? Leave a message in the comments section below.

The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph LoPicollo and John Poulos of Poulos LoPicollo PC and Bruce H. Nagel and Randee Matloff of Nagel Rice LLP.

The LG Imbalanced Load Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Kroop v. LG Electronics USA Inc., Case No. 2:20-cv-00625, in the U.S District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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