Samsung reaches settlement over ‘exploding’ washing machines

Samsung Electronics has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit over 2.8 million “exploding” washing machines recalled in the US, the South Korean company said yesterday. The faulty appliances were recalled in 2016 after reports that the top “can unexpectedly detach from the washing machine chassis during use, posing a risk of injury from impact”, according to The US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The lawsuit claimed some of the washers were “exploding”. “Samsung has chosen to settle class-action lawsuits involving top-load washing machines that were subject to a voluntary recall,” Samsung said in a statement, adding the decision was reached to “avoid distraction and expense of litigation”. The washing machines in question have long been off the market, Samsung said. Those covered by the settlement may receive benefits ranging from a “rebate, refund or reimbursement of certain expenses, costs, and repairs”, according to the statement.

Samsung said at the time that the recall applied to models built between 2011 and 2016 for “reports highlighting the risk that the drums in these washers may lose balance, triggering excessive vibrations, resulting in the top separating from the washer”. The South Korean consumer goods titan has suffered several blows to its reputation in recent years.