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Samsung Electronics America Inc. is the defendant in a class action lawsuit over its allegedly defective top-load washing machines that tend to explode.
“Specifically, the Samsung Washing Machines described herein are prone to catastrophic failure in that the Washing Machines explode unexpectedly while being operated as intended and instructed by Samsung, rendering the Washing Machines unmerchantable and unfit for their intended use,” according to the class action complaint.
The Samsung class action lawsuit goes on to state that the force of the explosion makes the washing machines “irreparably damaged” and could cause “serious harm” to people in the immediate vicinity when they explode.
According to the Samsung exploding washing machine class action lawsuit, there are numerous examples to support its case. Plaintiffs Suzann Moore and Michelle Soto Fielder both claim that they purchased brand new Samsung top-loading washing machines which later blew up.
Moore asserts that she purchased hers from Sears in January of 2014 in Indiana, and it worked for almost two years without any problems. Then on the morning of Dec. 23, 2015, the washing machine “violently exploded,” damaging the Samsung dryer which was next to it.
Similarly, plaintiff Fielder states that she bought a new Samsung top-loading washer from Lowe’s in June of 2012, in the State of Texas. According to the complaint, Fielder’s washing machine exploded on Feb. 9, 2016, “with such ferocity that it penetrated the interior wall of her garage” and that the “point of impact was so deep that it pushed through into [Fielder’s] living room, which shares a wall with her garage.”
The Samsung class action lawsuit also cites numerous other examples from Samsung washing machine owners posting on consumer protection websites and news outlets online. In many examples, the washing machine tops came off and caused damage to surrounding property.
In one example, a self-professed “safety health and environmental professional” who responded to an industrial accident involving the largest Samsung top-load washer on the market remarked that the washer “destroyed itself so violently that all technicians, safety professionals, engineers, and layman are completely impressed with the level of carnage.”
The Samsung exploding washing machine lawsuit argues that Samsung knew or should have known about the defect in its washers. While the lawsuit acknowledges that most washers explode after Samsung’s one-year express warranty is over, federal law creates an “implied warranty” that the washers are designed to operate and not explode. “There is no reasonable or acceptable rate for washing machines to explode,” the complaint contends.
Plaintiffs Moore and Fielder seek to represent a Class of “Any resident of the United States or its territories who (1) purchased and/or (2) was a reasonably expected user whose property was injured by any model of Samsung top-loading Washing Machine while such Washing Machine was operated within the scope of its intended use as a home appliance[.]”
The Samsung washer class action requests damages from the exploding machines, as well as a court order preventing Samsung from selling any of the alleged defective washing machines.
The plaintiffs are represented by Scott L. Starr, Andrew B. Miller, Mark S. Fryman, and Jacob M. O’Brien of Starr Austen & Miller, LLP, Carl Joseph Brizzi, III, of Carl Brizzi & Associates, LLC, and Anthony W. Patterson of Parr Richey Obremskey Frandsen & Patterson, LLP.
The Samsung Exploding Washing Machine Class Action Lawsuit is Suzann Moore, et al. v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-538, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division.
UPDATE: Samsung has issued a voluntary recall of 34 top-loading washing machines. Find out more information on how you can benefit here.
UPDATE 2: February 2019, the Samsung washer class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.
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31 thoughts onSamsung Faces Class Action Over Exploding Washers
We bought a new top loading HE Samsung washer in february 2015. It rocked violently and we had similar concerns. We still had one week til the warranty expired so were able to have it inspected by a Samsung technician. They replaced the piston like devices that hold the drum and we haven’t had any issues since. perhaps it is a bad piston design?
I bought mine from Home Depot…one of the affected ones per the Samsung website. They have a place where you plug in the serial number.
I was at Home Depot yesterday to buy some other items on the honey do list…and too funny, all of the Samsung Display models have signs on them: “not for sale, this unit is being picked up”!
I asked the appliance sales person about the problem…they acted like they knew nothing about.
We purchased a samsung top loading washer from Bestbuy, where many of these explosions are occuring, it is on the affect serial number list too. The spin cycle has always been very noisy and shakes. My gas dryer, furnace and water heater are within 10 feet. I am worried of a much larger explosion occuring. It is crazy that Samsung is not recalling/replacing these defective machines. They are recommending to wash on delicate. I did not purchase a washing machine with multiple cycles to wash on delicate ONLY. How clean is this cycle for heavy towels and not to mention much longer drying time.
We purchased a Samsung machine (included in the affected serial number list) from Best Buy in 2013. It has required 3 service calls in the last 13 months. The most recent 2 service repairs (Geek Squad) required replacing all 3 drum support struts. The machine would either not go into spin cycle or if it did, the whole unit would vibrate erratically. Guess we’re lucky. So far it hasn’t “exploded”.
this is very alarming to me. We purchased a Samsung top load washer from Lowes. How do i know if its one of the models that this has happened too? I am worried now to use my washer
Great! I have one that I purchased last Sept (the one year warranty is up now). I contacted Samsung to see if my model is affected by this issue and we will see what they say. I also located court documents from the class action lawsuit and my model is listed in there to be one that is possibly affected. I will no longer be using my washer when I am not home. Makes me fearful to even use it at all until something is done at this point. I am glad my washer is in my basement BUT it is in a utility room with a hot water heater and furnace and right next to a drain pipe along with our dryer is right next to it too as well. Samsung needs to get a fix for this issue ASAP. I paid good money for a washer and shouldn’t be restricted to using a delicate cycle. Why wait until there are more issues and someone is seriously hurt or worse…….along with paying for someones entire “life” because the washer destroyed their home. Get it together Samsung and admit fault and figure this out and be pro-active with it quickly!
Great I bought one from BestBuy, afraid to use it now. I didn’t pay all that money to have Samsung say use delicate cycle. Should be recalled before it explodes and potentially kills someone, or burns your house down. Get with it Samsung!!!
Much agreed!!! We didn’t pay good money to not be able to use!
Hope they an get this settled.
I bought a washer n it smells like sewer water every time I do wash disgusting
Our brand new Samsung top loader washer exploded into tiny pieces, water was thrown on the ceiling and all over our laundry room. Sears is sending a technician to assess property damage as soon as possible.
My Samsung washer top load washer exploded as well. How do I get in on this??