Samsung Recall Headaches Go Beyond Smartphones to Washers

Just weeks after electronics manufacturer Samsung was forced to abandon its Galaxy Note 7 smart phone, the company is announcing another recall. This time, the company is recalling 2.8 million washing machines because of a risk of injury.

Samsung has been in the news a lot lately. The company’s flagship smart phone, the Galaxy Note 7, was recalled earlier this year. The phones were catching fire while charging, putting consumers at significant risk of injury. 

After replacement batteries didn’t work to fix the problem, Samsung eventually gave up on the phone entirely. Now the company is back in hot water, but not because of its phones.

On November 4, 2016, Samsung announced that it would be recalling millions of washers because of a safety hazard. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of 34 models of Samsung top-loading washing machines with mid-controls or rear-controls. You can find out if your Samsung washer is included in the recall here. 

Samsung Washing Machine Recall

The safety commission says that the laundry machines are prone to detach from their chassis during use. When consumers use a high-speed spin cycle, like when washing water-resistant or bulky items, the machines could detach and cause an injury. So far, the company and the safety commission have received 733 reports of excessive vibrations or detached tops. That includes 9 reports of injuries, like a broken jaw, and an injured shoulder.

The 34 models of washing machines being recalled were sold at Best Buy, Lowes, The Home Depot, Sears, and other appliance stores nationwide between March 2011 and November 2016. They ranged in cost from $450 to $1,500.

Recall Remedies for Samsung Washers

In response to the recall, Samsung is offering consumers three remedy options:

1. Free in-home repair, which reinforces the washer’s top and extends the manufacturer’s warranty for 1 year.
2. Rebate to be applied to a new washing machine, plus free installation of the new unit and removal of the defective unit.
3. Full refund for washers purchased within 30 days of the recall announcement.

All these options will be laid out in the Home Label Kit, which will be sent to all known consumers by mail.

Until the remedy is complete, Samsung consumers should only use the delicate or waterproof cycles when washing bedding, water-resistant materials, or bulky items. The slower spin cycles on these settings will reduce the risk of detachment and injury.

Recalls don’t just happen for cars or smart phones. Any product consumers buy could cause a safety risk. When a recall happens, it’s crucial to get repairs done quickly. Putting it off could put you and your children at risk of significant injury.

Dani K. Liblang is a product liability attorney at The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., in Birmingham, Michigan. If you have been injured by a defective product, contact The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., today for a free consultation.