Samsung's exploding battery issues are apparently not limited just to the Galaxy Note 7. According to a new report, Samsung washing machines have been exploding too.
The company has just been trying to clean up its image following the whole Galaxy Note 7 recall fiasco over exploding batteries, and now it's in for more bad news.
ABC News reports that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has officially issued a warning regarding some washing machines from Samsung, after receiving many complaints about exploding machines.
It seems that such instances involving Samsung washing machines that exploded are not isolated incidents. Since 2015, the CPSC has reportedly received at least 21 reports from consumers complaining that their washing machine exploded.
ABC News even cites consumers who went through the dreadful experience of witnessing their washing machine explode.
"It was the loudest sound. It sounded like a bomb went off in my ear," says Melissa Thaxton, recalling the moment her machine malfunctioned. "There were wires, nuts, the cover was actually [lying] on the floor."
Thaxton further points out that the experience was even more terrifying as her 4-year-old son was present as well.
"I just remember covering my head and leaning [toward] my son and just screaming this scream that I didn't even know I could scream," she adds.
The issue affects top-loading washing machines manufactured between March 2011 and April 2016.
Exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units were already alarming and posed serious safety risks, but an exploding washing machine can be even more of a hazard if only by sheer size.
If a Galaxy Note 7 — quite small compared to a washing machine — could set a Jeep on fire or cause burn injuries, a large device such as a washing machine can cause even more serious damage.
The fact that the CPSC has now issued a warning somewhat acknowledges the issue, which makes it hardly surprising that Samsung is now facing a class-action lawsuit over its exploding washing machines.
Jason Lichtman, the lawyer representing Thaxton and other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Samsung, claims that a rod can become unfastened when the machine enters the spin cycle, which in turn can result in an explosion.
Samsung, for its part, reckoned that some units may face abnormal vibrations in rare cases, posing a risk of damage or injury when washing bedding, large or water-resistant items. Otherwise, the company highlights that its customers have been safely washing hundreds of millions of loads with no issues since 2011. Samsung also adds that front-loading washing machines are not affected, just top-loading ones.
Nevertheless, until this issue is fixed, both Samsung and the CPSC recommend washing bulky items or bedding only on the delicate cycle to avoid any issues. The lower speed would reportedly reduce the risk of injuries or damage should the washing machine components be dislodged.
If you have a top-loading washing machine from Samsung, you can check whether your model is affected by entering the serial number on Samsung's dedicated website.
