2.8 Million Samsung Washing Machines Recalled
Samsung has announced that 2.8 million top-loading washing machines are being recalled after 730 units have exploded.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission made the announcement on Good Morning American this morning, saying nine people have been injured from the explosions.
“We’re talking about … a very serious hazard of the top of these washing machines completely blowing off,” Elliot Kaye, the chairman of the CPSC, told “GMA”.
In the interview Kaye said the top of the machines was not secure enough in what is being reported as a design fail causing the tops to completely blow off.
The recall affects 34 models of Samsung’s top-loading washing machines that were sold between March 2011 to November 2016.
Back in September the risk was first reported, alerting all Samsung users to the potential explosion.
Kaye stressed the potential risk of these explosions. In one of the nine reported injuries the lid flew off and hit a woman in the back causing her to fall into a cabinet. The complaint said the lid “struck her head, neck, upper body, chin, and jaw” before falling to the floor. The woman’s name was retracted.
In a statement, Samsung told “GMA” Investigates, per ABC Action News: “Samsung is moving quickly to offer safe and easy choices to consumers impacted by the recall. Our priority is to minimize 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 apologize 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.”
Consumers with one of the affected washing machines are asked to contact Samsung toll-free at 866-264-5636 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or online at www.Samsung.com.
Samsung is offering a free, in-home repair to reattach the washer’s affected tops and a rebate will be applied towards the purchase of a new washing machine, of any brand, or a full refund to those who bought the washing machine within the past 30 days.
The CPSC is advising consumers with the washers to only use the delicate or waterproof cycles when washing bedding, water-resistant and bulky items until the affected washer can be fixed or replaced.