CNN New York –
Samsung recalled more than 660,000 washing machines and warned customers that the machine could short circuit and overheat, posing a fire risk.
The company received 51 complaints of “washing machines smoking, melting, overheating or setting fire”. Ten of those reports resulted in property damage and three customers reported injuries from smoke inhalation.
Several models of Samsung top-loading washers with high-speed wash are affected: WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A and WA55A. The machines were sold in white, black, champagne and ivory, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission released the range of serial numbers for the 14 recalled models.
The 663,500 washing machines were sold at big box stores such as Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot and Lowe’s from June 2021 to December 2022, costing between $900 and $1,500.
A software update can fix the fire risk. “Consumers should immediately check if their washing machine software has been updated to avoid the hazard; and if not, consumers should immediately stop using the washer until the software is updated,” the CPSC said.
All Wi-Fi-equipped washing machines should automatically download the free repair software when connected to the Internet, Samsung said. Those without internet can get a free Samsung dongle to plug in and download the free repair software.