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Samsung's Latest PR Nightmare Is Exploding Washing Machines

By: Kristen Bahler
Kristen Bahler
Managing Editor | Joined July 2016
Kristen Bahler is a writer and editor with seven years of personal finance experience. She oversees signature Money franchises like Best Places to Live and Best Places to Travel and shapes conversation-driving stories about lifestyle, money and consumer spending.
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Published: Sep 29, 2016 3 min read
Samsung Electronics Co. washing machine is displayed for sale
Bloomberg via Getty Images

September has not been a good month for Samsung — nor for fans of its products.

First it recalled its Galaxy Note 7 phones for overheating and occasionally exploding, and now it is facing a class-action lawsuit over claims that some of its top-loading washing machines are exploding as well, the Washington Post reports. Among the claims:

The explosions are allegedly the product of heavy vibrations in top-load washing machines made between March 2011 and April 2016, which cause the units to “become unfastened, resulting in a dramatic centrifugal explosion that destroys the machine and nearby property," the Post reports.

The company said Thursday that it is in "active discussions" with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to address potential safety concerns related to the machines.

"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," the company said in a statement. "Samsung is recommending that consumers with affected models use the lower speed delicate cycle when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant materials. There have been no reported incidents when using this cycle."

The news comes just two weeks after Samsung recalled its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones for exploding in customers' pockets, a reaction caused by lithium ion batteries. Unlike the smartphones, Samsung has yet to announce the list of washing machine models impacted, but it posted a link for customers to enter their washing machine's serial number to see if it's on the list. The South Korean electronics company is recommending that people with the affected models use a delicate cycle when washing "bedding, bulky or water-resistant materials."