LG Class Action Says Washers’ Rust Defect Ruins Clothing

A recent class action alleges that LG washer rust plagues the high end washing machines and results in ruined clothes.

Three plaintiffs allege that LG Electronics USA Inc. knowingly sells defective washing machines which rust prematurely.

According to the LG class action, the LG washer rust stems from a manufacturing defect associated with the top loading washers’ tops.

The tops are allegedly defective and begin to rust within months or a few years of purchase. The plaintiffs say that considering that expensive appliances such as washing machines typically last at least 10 years, the short time it takes for rust to plague these LG washers is significant.

The LG washer class action claims that the rust starts around the bleach dispenser on the washing machine top. The bleach dispenser is a plastic insert which fits into the metal top of the washer. Plaintiffs allege that the metal tops are poorly sealed which leads to the leakage of water and formation of rust.

According to the LG washing machine class action, the rust is not only an eyesore, it can destroy clothing put into the washer for cleaning. This compromises the washer’s ordinary purpose, meaning that consumers are allegedly not getting what they paid for.

“Once it begins, the rust inevitably spreads throughout the top of the washer to the point that rust seeps into the laundry bin and stains clothing during the wash cycle,” the LG washer rust class action lawsuit states.

Plaintiffs argue that LG should have foreseen that washer tops, which are subject to “wet, humid conditions,” may be more prone to rusting.

The LG washer class action further claims that instead of properly sealing the washing machine for foreseeable circumstances, LG manufactured the washer tops carelessly and defectively.

Despite manufacturing a defective product, LG representatives allegedly deny the issue and place the blame on consumers. The plaintiffs say the company denies warranty claims for LG washer rust, calling the problem “cosmetic” or blaming it on inadequate care by the consumer.

The LG washer rust class action rejects these arguments, maintaining that the defect is more than cosmetic and in fact prevents the appliance from working as intended.

The LG washing machine class action also argues that the defect is due to poor material choices and manufacturing, so no amount of customer care could have prevented rusting.

“Despite LG’s admonitions, upon information and belief, the rust develops regardless of overflow or spill of bleach or detergent because of the nature of the defect,” the LG washer rust class action claims. “No amount of maintenance, cleaning, or non-spilling, or wiping away of detergents would prevent the Defect.”

The plaintiffs as a group aim to represent a Class of consumers who purchased LG top loading washers since 2012. Individual plaintiffs also seek to represent two subclasses for California and Missouri consumers, respectively.

The LG washing machine rust class action lawsuit seeks actual damages, special damages, incidental damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, other damages, restitution, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Timothy N. Mathews, Benjamin F. Johns, and Zachary P. Beatty of Chimicles & Tikellis LLP.

The LG Washer Premature Rusting Class Action Lawsuit is Acosta, et al. v. LG Electronics USA Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-15584, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

UPDATE: The LG Washer class action lawsuit was dismissed on June 20, 2019. Top Class Actions will let our viewers know if we learn of any new class actions involving LG.