Samsung Issues Voluntary Recall Amid Complaints of Exploding Washers

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Reports of Samsung washers’ exploding have prompted the company to issue a voluntary recall involving 34 models of their top-load washing machines.

The washing machine top can unexpectedly detach from the washing machine chassis during use, posing a risk of injury from impact.

According to a published press release, Samsung issued the voluntary recall after reports of washers exploding began surfacing in recent weeks, many of which pointed to its high-speed cycle as the likely culprit.

The high-speed cycle, typically used for bedding or heavier laundry loads, may cause the washer’s interior drum to become unstable.

This then causes the washer to vibrate uncontrollably and separate from the body of the washer.

Samsung stated that “in rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky, or water-resistant items.”

The manufacturer is urging customers to use a lower speed setting for bulk washes and bedding to avoid the risk of their washing machines becoming unstable and possibly exploding.

Specifically, this latest Samsung recall involves only top-loading washers manufactured between March 2011 and November 2016, with the company offering owners of these appliances two options to remedy the problem.

In the first option, owners of the affected models can schedule a no-cost in-home repair to have the attachment of the washer’s top fixed. Additionally, users who select this option will also receive a free one-year warranty extension, no matter how long they have owned the washer.

The second option Samsung is offering is a rebate applied to the purchase of another washing machine, either Samsung or another brand, along with free installation and free removal of the defective Samsung washer.

However, the rebate amount is specifically tied to the manufacture date and model of the recalled washer. This means that the rebate amount to replace older Samsung top-loading washers will not be as much as more recent models. But the company has stated they will add an additional $150 to consumers to choose to replace their defective Samsung washers with a new Samsung model.

Additionally, Samsung will be sending all owners of the affected top-loading washers a Home Label Kit that includes updated warning labels, a new control panel guide, and instructions on how to apply these to the machine.

Furthermore, Samsung is also offering full refunds to any customer who purchased a recalled top-loading washer in the past 30 days.

Owners of Samsung top-loading washers can check to see if their washer is affected by the voluntary recall by visiting Samsung’s recall site, selecting their current model and model number, and then inputting the 15-digit serial number of their washer.

While Samsung’s voluntary recall of its purported exploding top-loading washers are cause for concern, it’s not the first time this year the top-loading appliance has made headlines for its risk to user safety.

A series of class action lawsuits have been filed against the South Korean manufacturer, over numerous complaints of injury and property damage as an alleged result of the defective exploding washers.

One of these class action lawsuits against Samsung, filed in July by New York plaintiff Kyle Noonan, alleges that during an unstable spin cycle, his 2012 Samsung washer detached and leaked, causing approximately $800 in damage to his home.

Another similar Samsung defective washing machine class action lawsuit was filed in May by Arkansas plaintiff Aimee Olinghouse. Olinghouse claims that the defective washers violently vibrate and cause the drain pump to fracture and separate from the base, which can lead to “significant water leakage or even an explosion.”

The Samsung Defective Washer Class Action Lawsuits are Kyle Noonan, et al. v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:16-cv-05271, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and Aimee Olinghouse v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 4:16-cv-00279, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

UPDATE: February 2019, the Samsung washer class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.