NSW: Urgent public safety warning

Published

17 Mar 2014

Electrical safety recall of Samsung top loading washing machines

Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe today issued an urgent warning about Samsung washing machines that pose a serious risk to consumers.

Samsung Electronics Australia Pty Ltd is urging people with a Samsung top loading washing machine to check model details following the recall last year of six models due to a risk of fire.

The models are: SW75V9WIP; SW65V9WIP; SW70SPWIP; SW80SPWIP; WA85GWGIP; and, WA85GWWIP.

Despite an extensive recall and social media advertising campaign by Samsung in April last year, the public response to date has been unsatisfactory. Samsung has advised Fair Trading that fewer than 40 percent of NSW customers with these washing machines have responded to the recall.

Samsung advised today that 144, 451 machines have been sold in Australia through various retailers between 2010 and 2013, including 55,553 in New South Wales. Only 20,994 of the machines sold in NSW have been recalled and fixed. Nationally, only 53,307 have been recalled and fixed.

There have been 59 fires involving these machines around Australia and 25 of the fires were in NSW. Fires occur when internal water condenses onto an internal connector (motor connection).

NSW Fair Trading issued a media release regarding the recall in April 2013. Since then, machines that were still in stock in stores have been recalled.

Mr Stowe said the number of consumers who remain unaware of the potential risks associated with the faulty machines was very concerning.

“These products are typically left unattended while in use, so the risk to people and property if the machine fails is real,” he said. “I urge anyone with a Samsung top loading washing machine to check their appliance as a matter of priority.”

Model name details can be found on the back of the washing machine. Photographs of the six models can be found on the Fair Trading website.

Visit www.samsung.com/au/washingmachinerecall/, call 1800 239 655 between 8am – 8pm AEST Monday to Sunday or email wm.samsung@samsung.com to find out if your machine is affected.

Samsung will arrange for an authorised service technician to provide a free in-home service for all affected models.

If your model is an affected model, until the service is performed, Samsung recommends you only use your washing machine if you are present or nearby to monitor it.

If you notice any smoke or smell coming out of the washing machine, turn off the machine at the power point.

Photo of Samsung washing machine on fire