Another Issue for Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
On Friday, U.S. regulators tasked with ensuring the safety of consumer products issued a recall for 2.8 million Samsung Electronics Co Ltd washing machines.
The recall is particularly damning in light of Samsung’s recent trouble with its “Galaxy Note 7” phones, which were liable to spontaneously combust and were consequently banned from major airlines in the U.S. and Canada. (Source: “U.S. Announces Recall of Samsung Washing Machines,” The Wall Street Journal, November 4, 2016.)
Advertisement
According to a report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSP), there were 700 cases of incidents or accidents involving Samsung washing machines. CPSC officials say that the tops of some top-loading machines can come loose during a wash cycle.
“Samsung has received 733 reports of washing machines experiencing excessive vibration or the top detaching from the washing machine chassis,” read the report. “There are nine related reports of injuries, including a broken jaw, injured shoulder, and other impact or fall-related injuries.” (Source: “Samsung Recalls Top-Load Washing Machines Due to Risk of Impact Injuries,” Consumer Product Safety Commission, last accessed November 7th, 2016.)
The recall will encompass 34 different models sold since 2011. Consumers who bought their washing machines from Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, or other appliance stores should consult the CPSC website to see if their model number is included on the list of affected items. They should also contact Samsung directly for an in-home repair and extension on the warranty or a rebate to buy a new washer. If they bought their machine within the last 30 days, consumers can get a full refund.
“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, senior vice president and general manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America. “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.” (Source: The Wall Street Journal, op cit.)
Samsung will have to work hard to restore confidence in its products, particularly since this is not the first issue it has had with washing machines. Back in 2013, Samsung issued Australia’s largest ever recall by calling in 150,000 damaged washing machines.
Although household appliances are a small portion of Samsung’s net profits, the firm’s latest recall only compounds the “deficient product” narrative which started as videos of exploding Note 7s went viral on social media.
