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The heat sensors in Samsung electric and gas ovens contain a serious safety defect that causes them to misread temperatures, resulting in ovens that are not hot or far too hot, a Florida woman says in a new class action lawsuit.
Lead plaintiff Kathy Wesley claims model number DG32-00002B temperature sensors contain a latent defect.
This defect allegedly causes the control board in the Samsung gas oven range to fail. Oven burners do not reflect the temperatures users select when the control board fails, posing a serious safety risk when the ovens become much hotter than the user expects, the class action lawsuit alleges.
The plaintiff warns the allegedly defective component is included in at least 87 models of Samsung ovens.
Wesley claims she purchased a new Samsung Freestanding Electric Range, model number NE59M6850SG, in May 2018 for use in her home. She says she relied on advertising provided by the company when making her purchase.
Within months, however, Wesley faced a cook’s worst nightmare — her Samsung oven allegedly failed to cook the turkey on Thanksgiving of that year, forcing her to purchase a pre-cooked one on the holiday.
According to the complaint, Wesley sought repairs under the one-year limited warranty that came with the appliance. She says the repair person told her the Samsung ranges were “horrible” and, despite having a new control board installed, the plaintiff says she still experienced problems with oven temperature.
The plaintiff claims she has experienced both extremes: the oven not reaching the cooking temperature she set and food taking far too long to cook, as well as burners becoming too hot, burning the food and presenting a safety issue.
The defect, according to the plaintiff, exists in the ovens’ temperature sensor, called a thermistor.
“An oven temperature sensor is a thermistor — a type of resistance thermometer — that is located inside the oven,” the complaint explains. “The sensor measures the internal oven temperature. As the oven temperature rises and falls, the sensor varies the amount of resistance in electrical circuits linked to the control board. Resistance is a measure of how easily electrical current can pass through conducting material. Changes in resistance impact the rate at which electrical current flows through the circuits of the oven’s control board.”
The sensor in certain Samsung gas oven ranges allegedly fails to regulate resistance. The problem spirals, according to the class action lawsuit, causing the conducting materials to degrade and eventually affecting temperature regulation in both the oven and the range.
Further, in the event the oven is repaired, Samsung allegedly uses the same defective parts and owners are left with the same problems.
“The Defect renders the Class Ranges unable to cook food as the consumer intended,” the complaint warns. “Cooking times are greatly extended, or users are forced to constantly monitor food being cooked so that it does not unexpectedly burn or catch on fire. Over time, the Defect is substantially certain to manifest.”
According to the class action lawsuit, Samsung ovens equipped with the defective sensor retail for between approximately $800 and $2,600 each. The plaintiff asserts the manufacturer has “long been aware” of the defective sensor in the Samsung gas oven range.
The class action lawsuit points out the company performs testing on its products before putting them on the market. In addition, consumers experiencing the problem can find descriptions of it on Samsung’s website.
“Gas and electric ranges are useful only to the extent that they provide reliable and consistent heating,” the complaint says. “For example, for a person to bake a cake at 375 degrees, that person must be able to set an oven to 375 degrees and know that the oven will maintain roughly that temperature once it is preheated. Likewise, a person cannot simmer a delicate sauce if a burner emits heat at full blast even though the burner was set to low heat.”
Despite the complaints, the class action lawsuit claims, Samsung represents its ovens as reliable and safe for consumers.
In addition, the plaintiff says the company fails to address consumer complaints about the problem, instead directing them to instructions on how to operate the range or making light of concerns about oven temperatures.
The plaintiff seeks to represent others who purchased Samsung oven ranges with the alleged defect starting Jan 1, 2016, along with a subclass of Florida consumers.
The class action lawsuit accuses Samsung of violations of state and federal consumer protection laws, breach of warranty and fraudulent concealment.
Do you own a Samsung gas oven range? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
The lead plaintiff and proposed Class Members are represented by Amey J. Park of Berger Montague PC; and Daniel C. Girard, Jordan Elias, Adam E. Polk and Simon S. Grille of Girard Sharp LLP.
The Samsung Gas Oven Range Sensor Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Kathy Wesley v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 2:20-cv-18629, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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198 thoughts onSamsung Gas Oven Range Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Sensor Defect
My Samsung oven stopped heating completely. Certified Samsung repair came out and said it was the main circuit board. replaced and no change. This model is just under 4 years old.
My stove gave me an error code which was a temperature sensor error. The sensors were replaced but the oven would get extremely hot but the display never showed above 175. It got so hot the wrap on the knobs for the burners melted. Samsung cannot provide information if they have a replacement control panel but want me to spend $215+ to tell me what is wrong and then possibly repair the stove for an additional cost.
I thought I was going nuts. I would turn on my Samsung gas oven. It would not heat past 150. I would have to turn it on and off like 10 times to get it to work till finally it will no longer heat up.
My oven range has been having heating issues. I have had it for 3 1/2 years. We have replaced the igniter and the thermostat a month or 2 ago. It is now failing the come to temp. We are trying to reset it but I am so disappointed.