Samsung are to voluntarily recall around 2.8 million washing machine models sold in the US and Canada that seem to disintegrate dramatically due to a problem with the suspension system that often people describe as the machine exploding.
“We’re talking about … a very serious hazard of the top of these washing machines completely blowing off,” Elliot Kaye, the chairman of the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), told ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA).
Kaye said the tops of the affected units weren’t “secured enough based on a design failure. And the top just completely blows off.”
The recall affects 34 of Samsung’s top-loading models that were sold from March 2011 to November 2016.
Samsung told GMA in a statement that, “Samsung is moving quickly to offer safe and easy choices to consumers impacted by the recall. Our priority is to minimise any safety risk and address the conditions that lead to the rare instance when the top of the washer unexpectedly separates from the unit.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this is creating to our loyal customers. We have worked closely with the CPSC to offer a consumer friendly recall that is safe, easy and complete with choices suited to the needs of anyone who may own a recalled machine. Our service teams are now scheduling visits to consumers’ homes to conduct free repairs and help resolve any concerns they may have.”
Nine injuries have been reported, including a broken jaw, as a result of machine tops coming off, among 733 reports of excessive vibration on the machines or the top detaching. Anyone with one of the machines is recommended to use use delicate or waterproof cycles for bedding, water-resistant or bulky items.
Consumers can get a free repair in their home, a rebate toward a new washing machine with free installation or a refund for anyone who purchased one of the recalled machines in the last 30 days.
We’re thinking that perhaps Samsung should look to diversify into product recall management as after all, they must be getting really good at this stuff now what with the multiple recalls on their products over the past few years!
Affected top loading washing machines are:
WA40J3000AW/A2 | WA45H7000AP/A2 | WA45H7000AW/A2 | WA45H7200AW/A2 | WA45K7600AW/A2 | WA45K7100AW/A2 | WA48H7400AW/A2 | WA48J7700AW/A2 | WA48J7770AP/A2 | WA48J7770AW/A2 | WA50K8600AV/A2 | WA50K8600AW/A2 | WA52J8700AP/A2 | WA52J8700AW/A2 | WA400PJHDWR/AA | WA422PRHDWR/AA | WA456DRHDSU/AA | WA456DRHDWR/AA | WA476DSHASU/A1 | WA476DSHAWR/A1 | WA484DSHASU/A1 | WA484DSHAWR/A1 | WA48H7400AP/A2 | WA50F9A6DSW/A2 | WA50F9A7DSP/A2 | WA50F9A7DSW/A2 | WA50F9A8DSP/A2 | WA50F9A8DSW/A2 | WA52J8060AW/A2 | WA5451ANW/XAA | WA5471ABP/XAA | WA5471ABW/XAA | WA56H9000AP/A2 | WA56H9000AW/A2
The full press release on the recall is as follows:
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary recall of certain top-load washers manufactured between March 2011 and current production dates.
The voluntary action was driven by reports highlighting the risk that the drums in these washers may lose balance, triggering excessive vibrations, resulting in the top separating from the washer. This can occur when a high-speed spin cycle is used for bedding, water-resistant or bulky items and presents an injury risk to consumers.
“Our priority is to reduce any safety risks in the home and to provide our customers with easy and simple choices in response to the recall,” says John Herrington, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America. “We are moving quickly and in partnership with the CPSC to ensure consumers know the options available to them and that any disruption in the home is minimized.”
Consumers with a recalled washer will be offered two easy choices as part of the recall program.
The first option is a free in-home repair that includes reinforcement of the washer’s top. Consumers who choose the in-home repair will receive a free one-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty, regardless of the age of their washer. The free in-home repair is not available for mid-control washers at this time.
The second choice is a rebate that can be applied towards the purchase of a new washer from Samsung or other brand washing machine, along with free installation of the new unit and removal of the old unit. The rebate amount is based on the manufacture date and model of the recalled washer. Consumers who choose a Samsung washer will receive an additional loyalty incentive up to $150 toward their new Samsung washer purchase.
As an added safety measure, all known washer owners will also receive a Home Label Kit in the mail. The kit will include a new control panel guide (excluding mid-control models), two warning labels and step-by-step instructions for applying them to the machine, and a user manual supplement.
Full details about the in-home repair and the rebate can be found at http://www.samsung.com/us/TLW.
Additionally, consumers who purchased a recalled washer in the last 30 days are eligible for a full refund from their original place of purchase.
Until the repair is completed, the washer exchanged, or the Home Label Kit applied, Samsung and the CPSC are advising owners of the recalled washers to use the delicate or waterproof cycles when washing bedding, water-resistant or bulky items.
The company is moving quickly to inform washer owners about the issue and the options available to them. Working in partnership with retailers and the CPSC, Samsung is actively informing consumers through direct outreach, including customer service, social media, marketing, and in-store communication.
Consumers who have registered their top-load washer model with Samsung or retailers will be contacted to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers who are not registered, as well as those who want more information about the exchange rebate, should visit http://www.samsung.com/us/TLW or call 1-866-264-5636.
