Just found a post on Reddit about a Whirlpool washer EXPLODING

I didn’t know VMWs exploded, when I saw that title i immediately assumed a Samsung, LG, or a GE but it was a Whirlpool WTW4800XQ4 according to the user, that has shook violently and eventually it just blew up. I’m guessing the suspension rods blew off. They said the machine bowed on the side and put a hole in the wall. Meaning the machine drum must’ve been violently shaking.

The particular model outlined in the Reddit is notorious for suspension rod issues and going off balance but I didn’t know they can explode.

I’ve heard this numerous times with Samsungs, LGs, and GEs but NEVER a Whirlpool product (except for their F&P-based Cabrio style machines) and some VMAX’s. But I’ve never seen this complaint on a basic VMW until now.

I rarely hear about explosions on any Whirlpool product.

I guess any washer with a hanging suspension can explode. But I think my VMW (WTW4900BW0) since I load it properly it won’t happen and I think when it does get unbalanced my washer will just stop spinning and fill with water to rebalance. The washplate VMWs like mine seem to have much better balance sensing than the agitator versions and they seem to have better quality suspension rods.

The post reads “My washing machine exploded

I have a Whirlpool WTW4800XQ4 washer that has started to shake violently on the spin cycle on every load. Heard an extremely loud bang that sounded like a car crashing into my house.

The tub is way off center and the whole side of the machine has completely bowed out and the tub is on it. The balance ring blew up, and it put a hole in my wall. The bleach dispenser also blew out.

One of the sides of the washer is destroyed and is all bowed out and dented out and the front of the washer also bowed out. I didn’t expect a washer to self destruct. Wow!

I’ll definitely need a new washer this cannot be repaired.”

I don’t mind Whirlpool washers tho and most don’t explode. I mainly see this on GE and Samsung washers. GE and Samsung washers have a huge explosion problem. The newer Whirlpools have control board issues and parts are a bit pricey.

I like direct drives more but Whirlpool VMW/VMAX is better than Samsung or Midea.

Here is the post.

Indeed, it seems the new era of washers are not safe or reliable as the ones from decades ago.
And yes, I've heard about a Samsung (we call that brand Samsuck) literally exploded and parts broke through a wall.
Apparently Samsung has tons of complaints and class action lawsuits for their products.
Their tv sets are prone to problems for years.

My old 1984 Maytag washer/dryer set is still going strong and may outlast ME.

The newer GE units also seem explosion-prone

whirlpool862 said:

The newer GE units also seem explosion-prone

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I tend to agree their sir.
Back in 2005, I installed a new GE 18,000BTU air conditioner in the dining room wall to replace an old 1970 Westinghouse unit that was hard on my electric bill.
Naturally, the GE was a lot more efficient, and I was pleased with the purchase.
However, last July, Philadelphia suffered a severe heatwave.
So one morning I put the GE on, and went upstairs on the computer to type as I am doing now.
About an hour later I went downstairs to wash out my morning coffee mug.
First thing I noticed was that the downstairs wasn't cooled as it should be.... Hmm!
The compressor wasn't running, just the fan.
Well, I realize that air conditioners do break down, even though that old Westinghouse still put out ice cold air for over 30+ years.

Well, I got a neighbor to help me pull it out of the wall and did my troubleshooting - and found out that everything was OK, except with how the 3-wire connector to the compressor didn't survive the outside elements and weather.
The connector terminals on top of the compressor must be sealed under it's weather cap.
Those were push-on cheap quality spade lugs, corrosion due to the elements caused weakening to the point that one of the lugs overheated and failed to kick the compressor on.
To detail, this was the wire from the Start capacitor, which tested good.
Well, I re-did the cables with new sturdy lugs, cleaned off all the corrosion, and made sure those wires were on tight as all hell,
Then proceeded to seal the top cover cap with heavy duty gasket sealer - so no weather gets inside.
Bingo!.... the AC runs like a champ now!
I should hopefully get decades more service from it.

By the way, it's labeled as a GE, but guess what?
The compressor, fan motor, and all the internal parts are labeled "LG"!
Made in China, of course, go figure.

Engineers in all industries have been put on a tight leash by the bean counters.

kenmore_elite said:

Engineers in all industries have been put on a tight leash by the bean counters.

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At the cost, aggrevation, and inconvenience to the end customer.

I mean I see much less Whirlpools exploding than any other major brand. Explosions of whirlpool washers most commonly occurred with the older Cabrio design, The new GE’s are exploding like recalled Samsungs.

Also they said the model was WTW4800XQ4, that particular model is very prone to suspension rod problems and that’s probably the most common issue with that model. But something else might’ve been bad for it to explode, like the tub was probably bad too and the suspension rods which caused the tub to violently swing making it explode.

"I have a Whirlpool WTW4800XQ4 washer that has started to shake violently on the spin cycle on every load. Heard an extremely loud bang that sounded like a car crashing into my house."

That means the Reddit correspondent continued to use the machine after it began exhibiting the problem instead of calling for service (or the reasonably-simple DIY repair involved in replacing the suspension rods). Did he/she expect the machine to self-heal?

Also, probably another part was bad too like the balance ring and tub, as if it’s just suspension rods the tub on these particular VMWs don’t usually swing so forcefully that it explodes.

My brother has this same model and his machine never exploded it just shook due to bad rods, and since he got aftermarket’s it’s shaking again.

And the poster I’m guessing was putting like a comforter or something in it while it was having this issue. Bad suspension rods don’t usually cause the machine to self destruct, I’m guessing it probably had bad suspension rods, a bad tub, and a bad balance ring.

Usually when I see exploding washers it’s most commonly either a Samsung or a GE. Sometimes I see LG’s too.

Any automatic washer, front load or top load can violently self-destruct, especially if it has a balance ring that fails in someway first.

There was a video sent to me a half dozen years ago of a 1955 Frigidaire unimatic violently self-destructing because the balance ring which was filled with iron filings, had gotten water in it at some point and rusted out, and when they got the machine spinning, the rest of the iron filings flew out of one side, and the machine just destroyed itself.

Most of the washing machines that self-destructed had waterproof bedding, put in them and the plastic outer layers, kept the water inside the bedding until the drum reached a very high speed, and then when the water violently escaped with throw the machine out of balance, causing the severe destruction.

Front loading washers are less app to do this because of the tumbling type of washing motion the water tends to get back out before it gets into the high spins.

John L

I’m guessing the suspension rods failed first, and then the balance ring did, which caused it to go out of balance violently during high speed.

whirlpool862 said:

I’m guessing the suspension rods failed first, and then the balance ring did, which caused it to go out of balance violently during high speed.

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These things are likely to happen because of where the parts are manufactured.
The quality of OutSourcing steel parts isn't as reliable as it used to be.
I've made some comments on another thread about bolts, springs, etc. snapping or stripping out, ones that I purchased at local hardware stores.
The Outsourced manufacturing plants obviously don't have the tight Quality Control that American-Made stuff always had.

So even if a product is advertized as being "made" here, if it's got crappy steel parts, it's no better than if the machine is made overseas.

if things keeps up in my humble opinion i have a feeling there will be a high demand for vintage washer dryer sets topload or front all years i would easly go back to a set like this pic or direct drive inglis royal100 washer dryer set

Out of balance switches are simple devices and cheap yet a lot of manufactures refuse to install them. Never understood that (coming from 40 years of Maytag use).

VMWs actually do have balance sensors but they often don’t detect it as off balance if it’s off balance while spinning at a high RPM.

Gee, I don't seem to have come across many if any at all.Front loaders that have been exploding only top loaders

And I never see older ones do this, it’s almost always the newer ones with the suspension rods. Like when did you read something that said “my 2005 whirlpool direct drive washer exploded”, like I never have, it’s almost always a newer style top load of some type. I most commonly see it with GE’s and older Samsungs. I used to say newer GE’s were okay but I don’t think they are they literally explode as often as the Samsungs did and I think they should be recalled. None of the new-new washers are good.

Ever since companies started making H.E. top loaders this issue rose.

whirlpool862 said:

And I never see older ones do this, it’s almost always the newer ones with the suspension rods. Like when did you read something that said “my 2005 whirlpool direct drive washer exploded”, like I never have, it’s almost always a newer style top load of some type. I most commonly see it with GE’s and older Samsungs. I used to say newer GE’s were okay but I don’t think they are they literally explode as often as the Samsungs did and I think they should be recalled. None of the new-new washers are good.

Ever since companies started making H.E. top loaders this issue rose.

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I wish I could make a sound of me clapping and yelling "Bravo!"

appnut said:

Gee, I don't seem to have come across many if any at all.Front loaders that have been exploding only top loaders

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Oh it happens Bob but it seems we hear more about these modern top loaders exploding...

Jeez!
Those messes that were once called washers!....... I wouldn't ever want to deal with something like that.

Front load washers self-destructing post number 19

Hi Robert, that’s amazing but when you look at the condition of that wash basket in that black compact front loader, I think that machine probably self-destructed because it was tired of the abuse. That thing has the most disgusting buildup of sludge that I think I’ve ever seen.

Small cheap compact machines that spin it over 1400. RPMs are probably more likely to just simply self distract when the tub seems etc. fail.

I’ve yet to see a full size US front loader do this although I’m sure it’s theoretically possible, I’m sure a Speed Queen front loader would never do this if you saw the way they’re built Plus they have stainless steel outer tubs that would contain most of the destruction.

John L

Hi John, oh yes it happens and even to Whirlpool FLs. And unlike the Unimatic you describe (and yes I'm still waiting to see that video ) these machines didn't have 60 years of rust and corrosion before it happened...

There was a bout of instances in the UK of Indesit & Hotpoint machines rapidly self disassembling themselves, reported about on BBC's Watchdog, some years ago, which lead to a product recall of some models. The drum was apparently unwrapping itself at the seam on spin, I'd guess they'd found a cheaper way to join it. Can't remember if anyone was injured, but a fair few fitted kitchens were decimated.

Old thread about it here https://automaticwasher.org/threads/indesit-on-watchdog-again.43226/

Archived BBC article https://web.archive.org/web/2013010...mes/b006mg74/features/indesit-washing-machine

More recently there's been incidents of the door glass "exploding" https://www.which.co.uk/news/articl...chines-uncovered-by-which-440091-a3Bk71i8UrIz

qsd-dan said:

Out of balance switches are simple devices and cheap yet a lot of manufactures refuse to install them. Never understood that (coming from 40 years of Maytag use).

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Yes, I would like to think an out of balance switch would hold the washer still enough that it would merely smolder, instead of explode...



-- Dave

daveamkrayoguy said:

Yes, I would like to think an out of balance switch would hold the washer still enough that it would merely smolder, instead of explode...



-- Dave

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In all the years, my old TL Maytag never shook crazy.
Even on substantially off-balance loads you could barely feel vibration of the cabinet.

appnut said:

Gee, I don't seem to have come across many if any at all.Front loaders that have been

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The old venerable belt drive has a hanging suspension but with the 500 to 515 RPM spin. Not much to worry about with the metal outer tub and the heavily built cabinet if it goes kablooey.

I was working for a customer yesterday who has a three year-old pair of LG front load washer and dryer in their basement. The guy was very disappointed with the washer. He said he did a load in it when it was just out of warranty. He came downstairs and got cuts on his feet because he was in bare feet, but the glass door had exploded across the floor of the basement.

They did get LG to replace the door, but nobody had any explanation for why the glass broke.

Kind of makes the whirlpool plastic doors look a little bit better I think.

John L

combo52 said:

I was working for a customer yesterday who has a three year-old pair of LG front load washer and dryer in their basement. The guy was very disappointed with the washer. He said he did a load in it when it was just out of warranty. He came downstairs and got cuts on his feet because he was in bare feet, but the glass door had exploded across the floor of the basement.

They did get LG to replace the door, but nobody had any explanation for why the glass broke.

Kind of makes the whirlpool plastic doors look a little bit better I think.

John L

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I would think that a Smart Idea would be to design those things with a thick Lucite or Plexi window.

combo52 said:

I was working for a customer yesterday who has a three year-old pair of LG front load washer and dryer in their basement. The guy was very disappointed with the washer. He said he did a load in it when it was just out of warranty. He came downstairs and got cuts on his feet because he was in bare feet, but the glass door had exploded across the floor of the basement.

They did get LG to replace the door, but nobody had any explanation for why the glass broke.

Kind of makes the whirlpool plastic doors look a little bit better I think.

John L

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I would imagine there was a severe out of balance event where the basket struck the glass very hard, and then aborted before the rest of the washer exploded.

These exploding washers do seem bad, and shocking, but I also think it's important to take into consideration, that each brand is pumping out at least a million of these units a year, from all their different plants.
And what we're seeing are a handful of pictures and videos out of many millions.
I get it, to those individual owners, it's horriffic and dangerous. And because it's so rare, the companies should absolutely take total care of the customers in those cases.
That's the real tragedy I see. The companies scoff off the issue, even when it's found to not be user error.

combo52 said:

I was working for a customer yesterday who has a three year-old pair of LG front load washer and dryer in their basement. The guy was very disappointed with the washer. He said he did a load in it when it was just out of warranty. He came downstairs and got cuts on his feet because he was in bare feet, but the glass door had exploded across the floor of the basement.

They did get LG to replace the door, but nobody had any explanation for why the glass broke.

Kind of makes the whirlpool plastic doors look a little bit better I think.

John L

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Had the first generation Whirlpool WFW6620HW with plastic door window for about a year before i moved house. No problems and the porthole didn't get all scratched up by the time i gave it to a collector. The heaviness of glass though does give one a better 'feel' of quality.