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Samsung in Talks with CPSC to Address Claims of Exploding Washers

Samsung, already reeling from a global recall of its Note 7 smartphones, said it is in talks to address claims that its washing machines explode.
File photo of Samsung Electronics logo at its headquarters in Seoul
REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
/ Source: Reuters

Samsung, already reeling from a global recall of its Note 7 smartphones, said on Thursday it is in talks with a U.S. watchdog to address potential safety problems related to some of its washing machines.

File photo of Samsung Electronics logo at its headquarters in Seoul
REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

The South Korean tech company's comments came as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned of problems with some of Samsung's top-load washing machines, following media reports that they had exploded.

Certain top-load washing machines made between March 2011 and April 2016 were affected, both the company and the CPSC said.

"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," Samsung said on its website.

The company said consumers with affected models should use the lower speed delicate cycle when washing those materials.

Samsung did not mention the models impacted but asked customers to enter their washing machine's serial number to determine if their machine is affected.

It was not immediately known how many units were affected and whether the problem is limited to the United States.

Samsung is also facing a lawsuit from U.S. customers who, according to a filing in a New Jersey court on Aug. 12., said their machines "explode during normal use."

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.