Samsung is recalling some 2.8 million top-load washers that pose a possible risk of injury.
Thirty-four affected models, manufactured in China, South Korea and Thailand between 2011 and 2016, can be prone to excessive vibration due to the detachment of the washer drum during a high-speed spin cycle with a bulky laundry load.
In rare instances this could lead to the top of the washer separating from the machine, which has already resulted in nine reported injuries, including a broken jaw, injured shoulder and other impact or fall-related injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Samsung has received 733 reports of excessive vibration or detached tops in total.
The washers had been under investigation by the CPSC but the issue was brought to light last month by an ABC News report on “Good Morning America” (GMA).
The products are currently sold at Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears and other appliance retailers nationwide at price points of $450 to $1,500.
Samsung is offering consumers the choice of a free in-home repair on affected models, plus a one-year warranty extension; a full refund for units purchased within the past 30 days; or a rebate upon the purchase of a new washer by any manufacturer, along with free installation and haul-away.
The amount of the rebate is based on the unit’s manufacture date and model, and the company will additionally offer as much as $150 toward the purchase of a new Samsung washer.
“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,” said John Herrington, Samsung’s home appliances senior VP/ general manager. “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.”
The action is the company’s second highly-publicized recall in as many months after Samsung halted production of its overheating-prone Galaxy Note7 phablet and pulled it from store shelves worldwide.
