Samsung Class Action Says POWERbot Vacuum is Defective

Samsung has been hit with a class action alleging its POWERbot vacuum cleaners suffer from a defect that does not allow them to work with certain mobile devices and home operating systems.

Lead plaintiff Paul Kerkorian states in his Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit that he purchased the vacuum cleaner based on marketing that he would be able to remotely operate it using his mobile phone.

However, the POWERbot line is not compatible with some of the most popular operating systems, iOS and Android, as well as Amazon Alexa, alleges the plaintiff.

According to the Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit, Kerkorian purchased one of the remote vacuum cleaners from the POWERbot line.

Kerkorian says that he was under the impression that he would be able to use the remote features of his POWERbot based on advertising by Samsung. He says that he later learned he would also need to purchase a Samsung “Smart Hub” to use those features, in addition to purchasing the POWERbot.

“This action arises from Defendants advertising and sale of the Samsung POWERbot R9350, R9250, R7090, R7070, and R7040: specifically advertised as (1) remotely operational through the use of, and compatible with, the Amazon, LLC Alexa; and (2) remotely operational through the use of, and compatible with, the Samsung Connect or Smart Home application available for iOS or Android devices,” states the Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit.

“This action further arises from Defendants advertising and sale of the Samsung POWERbot R7010 as remotely operational via Wi-Fi through the use of the Samsung connect or Smart Home application for iOS or Android devices.”

The Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit alleges that the company markets the POWERbot line as containing remote access features to compete with other high-end vacuum cleaners, but the products do not function as advertised.

“[T]he Samsung Connect and Samsung Smart Home applications do not reliably connect to Samsung’s servers or the POWERbot device as advertised, do not save credentials for users as advertised, only works on certain router bands (forcing users to change their home internet settings), and periodically deletes itself from the user’s mobile device,” claims the Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit.

The Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit seeks to represent consumers who purchased the vacuum based on the alleged false advertising, as well as several subclasses based on the model of POWERbot purchased and the problems putative Class Members had connecting with iOS, Android and Alexa.

Kerkorian also seeks to represent those who purchased a Smart Hub from Samsung after purchasing a POWERbot.

The causes of action in the Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit include false advertising, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, breach of implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation, and strict liability.

The plaintiff is seeking a court order requiring Samsung to make the POWERbot line compatible so consumers can use the remote features. The Samsung POWERbot class action lawsuit is also seeking damages.

Kerkorian, and the proposed Class, are represented by Lenden F. Webb and Christopher E. Nichols of the Webb Law Group APC, and by Christopher Olsen of Olsen Law Offices APC.

The Samsung POWERbot Class Action Lawsuit is Kerkorian v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 1:18-cv-00870-DAD-SKO, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division.