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A design defect in Samsung refrigerators causes the coils to freeze over, leaving the refrigerator unable to remain cold enough to keep food from spoiling, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey. The lawsuit estimates thousands of U.S. consumers have purchased the defective refrigerators since 2005, and that consumers have suffered hundreds of dollar in damages from lost groceries and repairs caused by the alleged defect.
According to the Samsung refrigerator class action lawsuit, “The refrigerators are designed and manufactured with heated coils that are intended to prevent excess frost from developing in the back of the machine. Instead of preventing frost, however, the coils allow frost and ice to build up in the refrigerators until the ice clogs and/or disables the machine’s fans, making it impossible for the fans to work to keep the machine cool.”
The alleged defect not only renders the refrigerators unusable, but also poses a safety risk to consumers because it leads to food spoilage and the risk of food-borne illnesses. Further enhancing consumers’ risk of illness is the fact that many of the refrigerators falsely display on the exterior temperature reader that the inside of the fridge is at a standard cool temperature.
The class action lawsuit alleges the defect exists in all three varieties of refrigerators Samsung manufactures, including its French door, side-by-side and bottom freezer varieties, and the model numbers:
- RF266AASH
- RS263BBWP
- RB1955SH
- RS2533SW
- RS267LASH
- RS267TDRS
- RS2630WW
The lawsuit further charges that “Samsung sold and serviced the refrigerators even though it knew, or was reckless in not knowing, that the refrigerators were defectively designed, would fail prematurely, and would ultimately result in [class members’] inability to use their refrigerators for their intended purpose.”
This is the second class action lawsuit filed in two months over defective refrigerators causing food spoilage. A class action lawsuit filed in July alleges LG’s French door refrigerator models contain a defect that causes the interior light to stay on after the doors are closed, resulting in overheating, food spoilage, melted plastic and fire hazard.
The Samsung refrigerator class action lawsuit is seeking damages, restitution and other awards for class members. A copy of the lawsuit can be read here.
UPDATE: On September 3, 2015, the Samsung refrigerator class action lawsuit was dismissed.
855 thoughts onSamsung Refrigerator Class Action Lawsuit
My father in law fridge is a Samsung # RF263AEBP, he has the same issues with this model. What would be the next course of action?
Thanks
BC
We also have the same problem. Model # RF26VABBP. How do we add our name to this lawsuit?
We have a Samsung French door refrigerator, model no. RS261MDBP. There is a very noxious smell coming from behind the frig possibly behind the back panels. It is has been 4 months now and the frig had to be removed to the garage where the smell is still very strong even with the garage door open. I have been nauseated, headaches etc. I recently had a mold test done next to the frig and it came back positive. What is our next step?
buenos dias g. mcklnney yo tengo el mismo modelo que usted y quiero saber por favor si usted me puede ayudar con el modelo de afuera de el rf26vabbp ya que el mio no lo trajo esa información es la que trae pegada a un lado de la puerta
I would like to join in the class action. I have one of models listed RS267LASH. It wasnt cheap at purchase, but 3 repair men later, and no help from Samsung, we are to the point that every 2 months we have to defrost the frig with a blow torch.
How do we sign up to join the law suit?
I would like to know more about the lawsuit and how to be part of it. I have a Samsung refridgerator that was less than a 1 year and had these problems. Samsung fixed it under warranty, but now 4 months later it is doing the same thing. Help.
I have a 2.5 year old Samsung model #RF266ABPN that shortly after one year is freezing solid in the back vents, filling with water chronically. Can this be included in the class action lawsuit
My daughter has the RF266ACRS also and the exact same thing has happened to her 3 times this year.
I have a2year old Samsung,french door bottom freezer that has froze up twice in the last year. cost approx 550.00. model # RF217ACRS. how do I become a part of the class action suit?
Our Samsung Frig with the French doors just caught on fire today. Model RF268ABBP. I to also want to know how to get in on the class action lawsuit?
I have the same problem with mine but it is a different model. Can I join the class action?
I just had to repair the same problem, What can we do to get in on this? or is it too late?
I also have a slightly different French Door Model which is experiencing the above described issues and would like to know if it is included in the suit. (RF267AERS)
I also have the rf267aers wi t h freezing and not cooling damage . I want to know more about the lawsuit. Is the sam samsung company paying for refrigerator and punitive damages ?I
Did you get anywhere with the suit? I have the same model and it does the same thing.
I have a sightly different model than listed but have all the problems can I get compinsation? Samsung frig. model RF26XAEBP maybe newer only 2to 3 years old.
I have model RF26XAEBP with same issue! Add me to lawsuit!
I have been putting up with the same problem for years but my model is RF263AEBP
I have the same model in white with the same problem. I purchased it in December of 2011, so it is only 3.5 years old. We have moved since our purchase and our fridge was in storage until we had our tiny-kitchen remodeled in the little 3 bdrm cape we purchased. We actually had to wait until all the old cabinets were ripped out before we could even move it into the kitchen because of its size. If we have to replace this fridge (and we have problems with it every year – especially in the summer), we will not only suffer the loss of our food, the cost of a new refrigerator, but we will also incur further cost to have the cabinets and countertop near our kitchen door removed and reattached. I just completely removed all the food and defrosted this fridge only a week ago because of this problem. Now I am having to do it all over again!
And all you do,is enlarge the opening to the STANDARD size opening 36 inches” and it moves in and out effortlessly. Then once or twice a year, slide it out, vacuum the vents that are clogged you ignored the install instructions and have it it too close to the wall and all fixed.
I have the same problem my model # RB215ACBP my purchase date around july 2012 cant buy grocery to put in fridge buy milk have to freeze it or use right away every 5 days have to defrost or unplug makes a awful noise when freeze up
I have the same issue with same model fridge.Did anyone get anywhere with lawsuit?
I would like an update also. I have RF217ACPN that i bought in 2013 and it has frozen up around 5 times. The first time I paid around $400 to replace the damaged parts. The second time I paid for an assessment. They told me to just to shut down the fridge for a few days when it starts to freeze up. It happened once just before vacation, so we had to let the ice melt onto our floor when we weren’t available to wipe it up. We can’t be loosing are fridge and food every few months! And why did they continue to sell fridges with this design defect well after they knew about the problem? And why is it 2016 and they still deny that there is a problem? Ive been on the phone with customer service for 6 hours! They really need this class action.
hello do you know how i can join this CAL ?
We had this same issue. We searched Google and found Youtube videos. Here`s how you can fix the problem! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE10_puZWKo
YouTube fix doesn’t work …. Tried it and still freezes up
I have the same issue with the rf26xaebp
Ours is the RS265TD–same issue as everyone else: Our technicians would simply say a sensor failed, and replace it—4 different times, each time the repair lasted about 4 months. Around $340 fixes each time. Ice maker wouldn’t work because the water line froze, ice packed up behind the housing at lower portion of refrigerator, freezing our fruits and vegetables, but the top part was 50 degrees and the food spoiled. Contacting Samsung repeatedly was a waste of time. Never buying a Samsung again.
Same problem here, Dianne, with the same fridge. Our refrigerator constantly ices over. Thankfully, we watched the tech fix it the first time, and just do it ourselves now. But we still lose fruit and vegetables like crazy. It is infuriating.
Same problem – junk!
Yes freaking piece of shit! Sooo much money paid and I bought less than two years ago model number rs25h5111sr/aa fridge says 34 degrees! Put a thermometer inside fridge registers 61 ugh!! How do I get my money back ???