Samsung recalls more than 660,000 washing machines after fire hazard reports

[repairguy]

The biggest problem with appliances today is the price people will pay for it. Because people will buy a certain model because it is a dollar cheaper than another is the biggest driving factor. We are a niche market and far from the majority of appliance purchasers. There are many kitchens for example full of new appliances that are only there for looks and will never be used. In my experience with the majority of customers they want change often and really don’t want to keep the same appliance for 40 + years.

As cited many times on this site alone folks think it’s a great idea for a speed queen but are not willing or can’t spend the money to purchase a great American built machine that will last. I for one will probably never buy a new appliance for the rest of my life but knowing what I know about speed queen if I didn’t have the money I would finance a new pair if that’s what it took. Again most of us are appliance enthusiasts here and there just aren’t enough of us for the manufacturers to build them the way we think they should but lucky for us we have this site and the wealth of information even for someone that’s never worked on one before to revive the machine for more years of dependable service doing the job being washing, drying, cooking, refrigerating, etc. the way we want them to.

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #20

Melvin, very well said. For example, as a blind person I can't work on vintage appliances myself but I know enough about them that I can pay someone to do what I need them to, per my instruction.

For example, my brother-in-law isn't an appliance person per se but he is a tinkerer by nature so he has fixed many things in his household that would have otherwise been sent to the landfill. He and my sister have a direct drive Whirlpool, similar age to mine, that he restored several years ago and it's been in service since. He wasn't able to make it to me over the Christmas weekend like we had planned due to the cold/wind, but when the weather is better he's going to come replace my gearcase, clutch, coupler, and swap out agitators in my 2005 DD. I had also remembered you mentioning on another thread to go ahead and replace the spin tube seal while it's apart, so we're doing that as well. After this is all done the washer should not need touched for several years at least, I'm thinking.

If the DD were to for some reason die a horrific unrepairable death I would do what I had to do to get a good modern machine. No budget crap is coming in here after my VMW Whirlpool from 2016 died after 5 years. If that means I have to finance to get something decent, so be it.

 

[lowefficiency]

>> Or if you are going to have electronics in your machine, subject them to rigorous testing and real-life scenarios before sending
>> them out the door. I think quality control at Samsung must suck, because didn't they have some issues with washers literally
>> exploding on the inside years ago? I thought I remember hearing something about that.

Yes - 100% agree on the need for rigorous testing. Very important, and easy for management to skimp on when under cost pressure. Samsung has had a number of recalls - there was a big one for washer fires in Australia too a few years back.

From Samsung's notice:
"This software remedy addresses potential overheating within the control panel of certain models. Such events present a smoking, melting, overheating, or fire hazard to the product and consumer."

In the CPSC notice, they instead refer to it as a "short-circuit", which is a bit more specific. "Potential overheating" could just be a duty cycle limitation, part being run at its limits, etc, but "short-circuit" is a failure full stop. Sometimes stressing electronics can lead them to fail shorted, so the first could lead to the second. But either way I'd bet some errant control logic is at fault.

 

[bradfordwhite]

I've written before ...

and it still holds true:

 

"The best solution I've found to make electronic timers, and electronic devices in general, last and operate problem free is to simply <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">unplug</span> them or some how <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">turn off the electricity to the device</span> when not in use. Give them at least a half an hour per day not energized.

Pull the plug on that electronic washer when it's not in use. Or install a timer.
So easy.

This also holds true for cel phones, modems, and computers.

But I can bet that's TOO EASY, yes too easy for some and there are those who will scoff at the very notion.

For those who scoff and fail to implement such a simple idea that works- you deserve the problems you'll get."

 

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?91409_31~1

 

[Chetlaham]

The beauty in EM timers: they turn themselves off automatically at the end of each cycle.

I would avoid plugging and unplugging as it tends to wear out the contacts of receptacles, especially those cheap 50 cent builder's grade.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Unplugging?

Or use a surge protector.. Yes, I know, they're built in...

But...

My Duet FL's control board went out year # 2.. Before I went out, error codes, fixes that didn't work, etc. I just knew I had an expensive lemon.. Once that board got replaced, in just a few months, it will be 18 years old. The only thing I did after the board was replaced? Plugged the machine into a surge protector. Is that the reason I've had no issues? Maybe... Maybe not..

Samsung would be the LAST appliance brand I would buy. I would have to be desperate.. I've heard more good about LG than bad.

 

[ryner1988]

"I've heard more good about LG than bad."

This. If I had to get a modern machine, LG would be my third option.

My choices in rank order would be:

Speed Queen FF7. Probably not gonna happen because even with financing, that price tag would be really, really tough for me to swing in a fixed income. Unless I could find one used, I just can't see myself being able to do it.

Speed Queen TC5. This would probably be my most likely option as even though it's still expensive, one could finance the machine and make the price workable. But if there were none available and I needed a new machine right away, or if I just decided that front load would ultimately be best, I would do...

LG with turbo wash. I've really heard very few bad things about this machine. I think FL's with a recirculating pump should be the gold standard in 2023 and beyond. Still using very little water, but making use of resources to deliver a superior result. I think the turbo wash is truly a great design and hope other manufacturers start to use it.

No Samsung for me, ever. I was actually thinking about a Samsung washer several months ago when my Maytag A112 washer died, but I just couldn't bring myself to take a chance after hearing so many negative opinions on them.

You know the funny thing is, when I bought my 2005 WP TL in July, I was strongly considering a WP Duet that the appliance store also had. It was roughly the same age, a 2006 model I believe, but since I had to order online, I wasn't able to go in and see how the machine looked, i.e., filth in the gasket, etc. I know that front loaders need more? different? maintenance than TL's and I didn't want to end up with a poorly performing neglected machine. But I was astounded that an FL had lasted that long, and apparently Mark's experience is the same. I will say that I had a closed mind to the possibility of an electronic FL being a buy it for life machine, and I have since reconsidered my stance. The knowledge I have acquired on this site and elsewhere has helped me get rid of some silly notions and biases I've had about appliances for years.

Ryne

 

[mrboilwash]

There`s a lot of Samsung bashing here so there must be some truth to it but IIRC a few years ago our consumer magazine had all 3 LGs fail whereas the Samsungs held up well.
Am on my 3rd Samsung phone and have always been happy with them.
My first VCR in the late 80s was a dirt cheap Samsung and it was incredibly reliable.
Just bought a Samsung microwave with convection heat and I couldn`t be happier with the performance. Reliability wise I can only hope for the best after reading all those negative comments, time will tell.

 

[panasonicvac]

We have a LG stove that we bought around the same time as our LG washer and dryer. We were using it for around a month or so until we had a problem one night. My dad was using the bottom oven since it has a convection, he was taking a pot out of there afterwards and he accidently broke the top oven glass door with the pot. We had a LG service tech come out and replace the door but LG wanted to charge us because they knew it was my dad's fault. However, he and the LG technician both agreed that this was a design issue because if you notice on the stove here, there is no silver frame for the bottom other than the sides and the top. So the LG technician fought with LG to warrant for a replacement door at no charge and eventually that was granted unto us. We were also granted a free exchange or replacement of the same model I believe if we chose to. But my dad knew eventually this would happen again at some point as one of us could accidently break the same door again so he tried to have LG take the stove back and refund us but they refused. I get that we were over the return policy. I remember my dad was looking into a Samsung to replace the LG if they did took the stove back but of course that didn't happen. So since then, we've been super careful of using the bottom oven. Other than that incident, it still cooks just fine. But I liked our old Jenn-Air better. At least I'm super glad we replaced our old Jenn-Air because rodents we're getting through the vent as the Jenn-Air had a fan on top of the stove for steam coming out of the pots and/or pans. I wondered if that Samsung he was looking into would've done a better job than the LG.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yep - 18 years in April... Crazy hard to believe...

Lorraine Furniture (an appliance guy who also does YouTube videos) praises LG front loaders. He takes them apart and says they are super easy to work on...

 

[combo52]

Samsung versus LG

Both these companies make some very interesting appliances. I don’t think there’s very much difference between the two companies many other products are made in China. I personally try to avoid buying Chinese appliances when we make perfectly good things here.

I would not call the broken upper oven door on the LG stove I designed the fact a lot of oven doors are made that way with no edge on the tempered glass, I dare say you couldn’t break it again if you tried, if you just hit glass the right way it will break.

I don’t think LG front loaders are all that great having the recirculating pump really doesn’t do anything except bring dirt and lint up in to your laundry from the sump and have it stick in your clothing it really doesn’t improve cleaning at all my front load Speed Queen does not have a pump and I put these massive loads in it. They get wet takes a few minutes and they wash beautifully.

John

 

[ryner1988]

John

In your opinion, are there good FL options out there, aside from Speed Queen? My sort of plan if I needed to replace my DD TL was always to get an SQ TL or LG FL and keep my old WP dryer. Would you not recommend LG then?

 

[combo52]

Great front loading washers

Hi Ryne

Whirlpool makes excellent front load washers right over in Clyde Ohio, you can get them for less than $1000 and you can actually get parts and service for them if needed.

I would prefer to buy American made union built over a combination of Korean Chinese, assembled in some nonunion plant in the south any day.

LG and Samsung’s biggest problems are lack of parts and service information, if you’re going to buy one, make sure there’s a local dealer that wants to work on it.

John

 

[moon1234]

Not too surprising. Our consumer magazine released it's latest test of washing machines. They buy three samples of each model they test and run them through 1.640 cycles. Both Samsung and LG failed, due to bearing failure and cracked concrete weights, respectively.

I a Miele W1 with 8000 hours on it. Well over 5000 cycles. I have another W1 with 3000 hours and over 2000 cycles. I will find the money to pay for quality. It makes me ill to see so many cheap appliances being disposed. Most of those components will wind up in a landfill. That is not sustainable or good use of resources.

I am a Christian and not a save the planet person, BUT I also believe God made us stewards of the creation we were given. MANY of the product decisions made today reveal that many people take no responsibility for the purchase decisions they make. The resources and energy that go into making a product should go towards making them reliable, long lived and able to be reused or responsibly disposed at the end of its useful life. What is happening today is borderline criminal for our children and future generations.

At this point the most long lived item in many homes will be a cast iron frying pan. My mother has her mothers and those will be passed down as well. By the time they make it to use they will be over 100 years old. Should we ever need to recycle them they can be directly melted and remade into something else.

All of our appliances should have a manufacture to recycle plan before they hit the market. Sending them to landfill is not a plan.

 

[appnut]

Well John, I say it again. IF SQ would put a heater in their damn front load washers then I might buy one. Contrary to what YOU think, Europeans are intelligent and really know laundry processes with heaters. My experience with having 3 front lloaders, one without a heater, and two with a heater, wash results are far superior with difficult stains with a heater and super hot water. I personaly think LCB is far too harsh on fabrics. Once I STOPPED using LCB, my items that had routinely been blached, lasted far longer without LCB and gradually heated to very hot water was far superior and textiles lasted far longer.

 

[mark_wpduet]

appnut - agree and disagree...

Back when I had a TL washer and we'd pour a cup of bleach for whites... I could totally see it breaking down the fabrics sooner... HOWEVER, now that I have a FL which uses a miniscule amount of LCB, I don't notice this at all...I can't believe how much LCB we used in the past... WAYYY too much... If I could go back in time, I'd be pouring like 1/3 cup (IF THAT)... I only use white towels so I can bleach them, and they are 20 years old and still look great

But yea - we need a heater... but I thought SQ had a model with a heater in it now...maybe I dreamed that or something. LOL

 

[ozzie908]

Whirlpool Dreamspace.

I have no idea how old this is but it keeps chugging on and washes and rinses really well and with a 1400 spin it makes drying really quick, I kept it as I could not be bothered to move it out the shed...

 

[appnut]

Mark, wayy back in the early days of recent front loaders (late 1990s, early 2000), Amana (remember this was when SQ was making washer that had the Amana brand label on it) had a model with a boosted heat hot wash option. It was very bref, like 8 minutes lol. But it was pulled from the market. And eventually SQ did offer pretty much the same model, but I guess it didn't sell very many. No other front loader being sold offered a heater (the early Neptune and Frigidaire models). Around the time of the 2001 or 2002 Wash-in, Sears had recently begun selling their HEe3 and He3T models (the T model had an onboard heater). And we had to go to 2 different Sears stores to get to see the Hettie. There is a photo somewhere in the world of our own ChesktermikeUK checking out the He3T and was "arming the Hettie". And remember this was back in the glory days of when Whirlpool would allow Sears to have an exclusive before the WP brand offered the same feature. There were some members that purchased a He3T and abolutely loved having the Sanitize cycle and a few other cycles that also used the heater to incerase and maintain warm & hot wash waters. And they could tell a difference.

 

[panasonicvac]

I honestly like our LG washer and dryer. We bought them because our service technician recommended them. I also recall that the technician recommended Samsung as well, I can concur because I also like my uncle's Samsung. If I had to do it again, I totally would buy another LG. Unless if Speed Queen was offering another full 10 year parts and labor warranty, then I could see myself paying extra for a SQ. Even if it doesn't have a heater which I would have no problem with. Honestly, I couldn't find a cleaning difference between having a heater on versus not having a heater on. That's why I don't use the heater on our LG anymore, plus it's another part that can break on a machine anyways. And as far as other LG and Samsung products, I honestly like them as well. I think they made some nice vacuum cleaners, electronics, monitors, etc. Probably the only product I would be cautious to buy for myself would be an LG dishwasher. My aunt just bought one a year or so ago for her new house and she said that it doesn't wash as good as her Maytag from her old house.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Remember the Samsung Eco Bubble? WTH was that all about?

I honestly don't know about the latest Whirlpool or Maytag FL washers. I've seen the wash cycles on youtube vs LG and the LG with turbo wash seems SOOO MUCH better with my eyes...Not only the recirculation but it just looks like they use more water.. I know the whirlpools/maytags have recirculation too...

it's so crazy... I remember complaining when I first got my duet in 2005 because I couldn't believe how little water it used... and in comparison with the ones on the market now, my duet is like a freaking swimming pool.