Electronic and smart appliance technology company Samsung has recalled more than 660,000 of its washing machines after it received countless reports that plagued the electronic appliance.
Reports reveal that the company received about 51 reports of overheating, smoking, and fire hazards, of which ten of the reports resulted in damage of property, while three customers reported injuries from smoke inhalation.
According to the United States consumer product safety commission, the recall involves several models of Samsung’s top-load washers with super speed wash.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 14 (June 3 – Sept 2, 2024) begins registrations; get massive discounts with early registration here.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
The washers were sold in black, white, Ivory colors, and champagne, with model series WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A, and WA55A.
Samsung has therefore urged consumers to check whether their washer’s software has been updated to prevent any form of hazard, and if not, they should immediately stop using the washer until the software is updated.
The company further disclosed that all Wi-Fi-equipped washers that are plugged into a power source and actively connected to the internet will automatically download the free software repair over the air when they are connected to the internet.
It mandated Consumers who have not connected their Wi-Fi-equipped washer to the internet to contact them for instructions on how to download the software repair.
It is however interesting to note that this is not the first time Samsung will recall its washing machine electronics.
Tekedia understands that in 2013 Samsung ordered a recall of about 150,000 washing machines in Australia, fearing that the machines could cause fires.
Also in 2016, the company recalled about 2.8 million top-load washing machines in the United States following reports of injuries.
The recall follows a lawsuit filed by two consumers, who alleged that the washing machines were “defectively designed and imposed an unreasonable risk to person and property”.
With the latest reports it has recently received, it seems Samsung is still yet to resolve safety concerns on its washing machine products.