by 2016 has not treated Samsung well. First there was the exploding Galaxy Note 7. Now, the South Korean giant has issued a voluntary recall of “certain top-load washers”.
Recall On Samsung Washing Machines In The US
The company is recalling approximately 2.8 million washing machines in the United States. This after it received 733 complaints of certain top-load washing machines experiencing “excessive vibration or the top detaching from the washing machine chassis”. This according to a report released by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recall involves 34 models of Samsung’s top-load washing machines. These were manufactured between March 2011 and, what the company calls, current production dates. There have been nine related reports of injuries, including a broken jaw, injured shoulder, and other impact or fall-related injuries.
Samsung says that the voluntary action was driven by reports highlighting the risk that the drums in these washers may lose balance. Triggering excessive vibrations, and resulting in the top separating from the washer.
What To Do If You’re a Victim
You can check to see if you’re affected, or have one of these affected washers, by entering the requested information here. If you are, then you have two options as part of the recall program:
- The first option is a free, in-home repair that includes reinforcement of the washer’s top. Consumers who choose the in-home repair will receive a free one-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty. Regardless of the age of their washer. The free, in-home repair is not available for the mid-control washer, at this time.
- The second choice is a rebate that can be applied towards the purchase of a new washer. This can be a Samsung or any other brand’s washing machine. This comes with a free installation of the new unit and removal of the old unit. The rebate amount is based on the manufacture date and model of the recalled washer. Consumers who choose a Samsung washer will receive an additional loyalty incentive of up to US$150 toward their new Samsung washer purchase.
As an added safety measure, all known washer owners will also receive a Home Label Kit in the mail. The kit will include a new control panel guide (excluding mid-control models), two warning labels, and step-by-step instructions for applying them to the machine, as well a user manual supplement.
From One Debacle To Another
This comes at a time when Samsung is still trying to recover all outstanding Galaxy Note 7s.
While many companies would welcome the kind of fanatic loyalty that Samsung’s Note range has garnered, this is one time that Samsung is hoping that people will return the handset and channel that loyalty to one of their other smartphones.
According to the company, around 85% of Galaxy Note 7s in the US have been returned. According to The Verge, that is approximately 285 000. This means that there are still quite a few Note 7s are still out in the wild.
In an effort to get those users to return their device, Samsung is basically intending to annoy people into returning them.
The company has released a software update which will limit the phone’s battery and only allow it to charge to 60%.
If you’re in New Zealand, then expect your Galaxy Note 7 to be nothing more than a fancy (and potentially explosive) paperweight, come November 18. All of the country’s cellular networks will be blocking the discontinued handset from that date onwards. And since, legally, you aren’t allowed to take it onboard a plane, the only thing that you can do is connect it to wi-fi.
