Samsung sued over exploding washing machines

[John Connor]

Haven't watch the vids, but I find it hard to believe a washer exploding. Perhaps the motor?

 

[John Connor]

In 2040 you will have exploding robot maids made by Samsung. Roomba, eat your freaking heart out.

 

[disappoint]

I had a Sam Sung The Tune Of a Drunken Sailor brand flip phone years ago. First and last time I ever bought or will ever buy an Often Wrong Dr. Noonian Samsoong product. Half the time the clock was off by more than a few minutes, and that's while it had a strong cell signal and fully charged battery no less. No excuse for that nonsense.

 

[disappoint]

Did someone from ISIS somehow manage to become an engineer at Samsung or something?

Alloha Snackbar Hawaiians!

 

[flexy]

Yes I can see this. Wife has a habit constantly wanting to wash absurd things in our 7kg (NON Samsung) machine, like giant feather/dawn beds etc. which is way too large. When it's only one large piece, the machine can sometimes not evenly distribute this and then when it spins COULD run extremely uneven and basically "explode". The sensor in a machine should usually detect when laundry is not unevenly distributed, it tries to re-distribute the pieces and then, depending, can also select lower spin cycles...or skip spinning altogether.

A few weeks ago, our machine "almost" exploded because of this (washing some giant bedding, way too much for the machine), and for some reason that check didn't work and the machine started to spin, jump and make a hell of a noise.

So it's a combination of using the machine wrong (overloading, large pieces like bedding), poor design eg the way how the drum is hung up on the springs, shitty dampers and electronics. Ours only spins max 1000 RPM...and I don't want to see this happening with a machine which may spin like 1400 or more. So "exploding" would definitely fit the bill here.

As for Samsung...earlier (?) plasmas, monitors etc. all have the problem that they used cheap, leaking caps, and now of course the smartphone issue and the washers. (Even the front-loaders sold in Europe got mostly shitty reviews).

 

[ch33zw1z]

I've been a happy Samsung customer. From tv's, to smartphone, to SSD's, all good so far

Recalls happen. Find a company out there that says they're perfect, and you've found yourself a liar.

 

[Zstream]

Yes I can see this. Wife has a habit constantly wanting to wash absurd things in our 7kg (NON Samsung) machine, like giant feather/dawn beds etc. which is way too large. When it's only one large piece, the machine can sometimes not evenly distribute this and then when it spins COULD run extremely uneven and basically "explode". The sensor in a machine should usually detect when laundry is not unevenly distributed, it tries to re-distribute the pieces and then, depending, can also select lower spin cycles...or skip spinning altogether.

A few weeks ago, our machine "almost" exploded because of this (washing some giant bedding, way too much for the machine), and for some reason that check didn't work and the machine started to spin, jump and make a hell of a noise.

So it's a combination of using the machine wrong (overloading, large pieces like bedding), poor design eg the way how the drum is hung up on the springs, shitty dampers and electronics. Ours only spins max 1000 RPM...and I don't want to see this happening with a machine which may spin like 1400 or more. So "exploding" would definitely fit the bill here.

As for Samsung...earlier (?) plasmas, monitors etc. all have the problem that they used cheap, leaking caps, and now of course the smartphone issue and the washers. (Even the front-loaders sold in Europe got mostly shitty reviews).

This times 100! We have a great LG front loader washer (sorta smallish) and my wife has a bad habit of filling the damn thing up with huge comforters, covers etc.. Luckily, the washer does a great job of balancing. It's an older LG model though.

People don't like front loaders because of the "smell" but if you leave the door open and use the proper amount of washing detergent (mix in some vinegar with the water every now and then to clean it) and you're set.

 

[Kazukian]

Go go Samsung...

 

[Exterous]

My opinion is completely opposite. Most everything they make for the most part is really good quality.

There is an established history of using sub-par components in some of their products. It doesn't seem consistent across their offerings but its there so you are at the mercy of the product line\group in terms of quality (See: capacitors in their TVs from 2006-2009). I do like a lot of products they make but it is somewhat luck of the draw in terms of whether that particular product cheaped out on an important component

 

[Red Storm]

It wasn't the washer, it was a Note 7 in the washer.

There is an established history of using sub-par components in some of their products. It doesn't seem consistent across their offerings but its there so you are at the mercy of the product line\group in terms of quality (See: capacitors in their TVs from 2006-2009). I do like a lot of products they make but it is somewhat luck of the draw in terms of whether that particular product cheaped out on an important component

That basically applies to just about every company.

 

[slag]

There is an established history of using sub-par components in some of their products. It doesn't seem consistent across their offerings but its there so you are at the mercy of the product line\group in terms of quality (See: capacitors in their TVs from 2006-2009). I do like a lot of products they make but it is somewhat luck of the draw in terms of whether that particular product cheaped out on an important component

Yeah, this is every company. Mitsubishi had cap issues in their TVs as well. LG has issues with their power boards and ICs. I've repaired a few panasonic plasma tvs that had bad boards as well.

This is not a Samsung specific issue.

 

[Fritzo]

Nevermind, they found the problem. People were trying to wash their Galaxy 7 phones.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Samsung is a South Korean company. I guess Korea was under Japanese rule during WWII though, but Koreans were mainly just used for labor.

I been schooled son!

 

[Aikouka]

our Samsung front-loader has been great so far. They've had a rough run but I still believe in them.

I think my Samsung front loader has an issue with its balancers. The machine is properly leveled, but it tends to be very noisy when operating -- you hear a sort of clunking noise. If I move the drum by hand, you can hear it too. It's almost like one of those Bingo ball tumblers that clicks as you spin it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Aikouka, lots of help online.

This for starters

https://youtu.be/bErHzSfXj3w

https://youtu.be/W27eWN0_Zeo

 

[pcgeek11]

If anyone wants a real washing machine buy a Speed Queen. Much better build quality.

http://www.speedqueen.com/products/top-load-washers.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwcTGhjJUVc

 

[Exterous]

That basically applies to just about every company.

Yeah, this is every company.

Except not. If we want to talk specifically about TV companies Pioneer did an amazing job with far more of their models than Samsung. Lots of other companies out there that do great jobs with their products across the board. There might be large companies that do things like this but that doesn't even come close to meaning "just about every company" is correct.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Pioneer products are notably more expensive, so I would expect less issues, but it seems google has quite a few hits for pioneer tvs.

Maybe that's because they're better build, maybe it's because they don't sell as many because they're so damn expensive. If I see a TV from pioneer, same priced as a Samsung, I would assume similar build quality.

I have a 5 year old samsung 32" lcd tv that's still working beautifully, great picture, great remote.

Samsung sells more for sure, so when there's a problem, likely to be a widespread problem since there's so much out there in the field.

When I think pioneer, I dont think tv, car audio comes to mind, where they also have a reputation for good quality, but as a premium price as well. Maybe that's changed, I haven't really looked up car audio stuff in a long time.

Like most of us here(I think), I'm a tech nerd by hobby and trade. I get to see broken stuff of all shapes and sizes, and sometimes all you can do is shake your head. To find the same problem repeatedly on the same model device, and that device coming from a known brand with a price premium, you gotta wonder why they would do that...money of course.

"But ch33zw1z, you get what you pay for", not so much anymore. New stuff comes out so fast that waiting for a bit a reading reviews is your best bet. Companies, Samsung included, sometimes put products out so fast, too fast, maybe even knowing the issue at a technical level, but sales and marketing push it to the field anyways as their marching orders. Money. Would a recall be cheaper? Would people just buy a new one? Would people pay to get it fixed? Questions in that meeting before launch of a problematic device

There's always gonna be that "diamond in the rough", covered in piles of junk.

I dont think generalizations asserted is off base. I've seen enough junk from enough "reputable brands" to agree.

 

[Concerned Citizen]

What's wrong with Maytag or Whirlpool?

 

[Aikouka]

Aikouka, lots of help online.

This for starters

https://youtu.be/bErHzSfXj3w

https://youtu.be/W27eWN0_Zeo

That sounds like my exact issue. Fortunately, I have an extended warranty that ought to cover it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Good, because it looks like "fun" to repair lol

One of those links has a scrolling bar of text at the bottom that says "buy a new one", doh

There are links that walk you through replacement on your own tho...

 

[MongGrel]

The wife wanted a Maytag Centennial top loader a few years ago as a replacement.

I'm still skeptical about it, but it has kicked along a couple years now nicely.

Buying a front loading washer seems kinda non pyschics to me.

Might work for a really large industrial washer to me for loading faster, but for a house a vertical washer/horizontal dryer has always made more sense to me.

Just my two cents.

 

[ch33zw1z]

What's wrong with Maytag or Whirlpool?

Nothing, just write down the models you're interested in and google the shit out of it

 

[Concerned Citizen]

I buy older washing machines and dryers.They last longer.
Last $75 washer I bought,I went to move it and the case pulled out from around the tub.
22 years I used that thing.
Front loader? pfffft.
I got mine rigged up with clothespins right now. (Top loader)
It agitates full-on whole cycle

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Maybe it is a new method by design to accelerate you replacing your washer?