Samsung in talks with US safety regulator over exploding washing machines
29 Sep 2016
Samsung is discussing "potential safety issues" related to some of its washing machines after a class-action lawsuit complained the appliances were exploding, the company said yesterday.
The news comes after it recalled millions of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones following a series of battery explosions.
In a statement, Samsung said it was in ''active discussions" with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission on issues with top-load washing machines manufactured between March 2011 and April 2016.
"In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items," it said.
Samsung recommended consumers use "lower speed delicate cycle" when washing bedding or bulky items until it could offer additional information or remedies.
The safety commission confirmed it was in discussions with Samsung and that they were "working on a remedy for affected consumers."
In a suit filed in New Jersey, a law firm had alleged "that some Samsung top-loading washing machines explode in owners homes," which led to potential injury or damage, attorney Jason Lichtman said earlier yesterday.
"Users have reported Samsung top-load washers exploding as early as the day of installation, while other owners have seen their machines explode months or even more than a year after purchase," the firm said in a statement.
CNN Money reported that the models in question were manufactured between March 2011 and April 2016, but stated that the CPSC did not specify the models.
Customers in Texas, Georgia and Indiana had reported their exploding washing machines and many of them had filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the company.
The lawsuit mentioned the exploding washing machines, but also alleged that Samsung ''has moved aggressively to collect and destroy all evidence of the defective machines'' after they exploded.
Samsung issued a statement on the matter, stating that ''In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items.''