100,000+ Washing Machines Recalled After Many Set On Fire

Samsung has issued a recall of hundreds of thousands of top-load washing machines in the United States due to a potential fire hazard. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 663,500 top-load washing machines with super speed wash have been recalled because they "can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard."

The CPSC has urged consumers to check if their affected washing machine has received the software update that Samsung released to fix the issue. The safety regulator advises owners of the recalled machines to "immediately stop" using the machines until they are updated.

Consumers can locate the model and serial numbers of their washing machine on either the label inside the top lid or the one on its rear. A list of model numbers and serial number ranges included in the recall can be found in the CPSC notice and on Samsung's website.

For WiFi-equipped washers that have been connected to a power source and the internet, the software fix will be automatically applied. For those that have not been connected to the internet, Samsung provides instructions on how to do so and update the software.

See More Recent Recalls

The CPSC also notes that consumers whose washers do not have WiFi capability or who prefer not to connect to the internet can contact Samsung directly for a free dongle to plug in and download the free software repair.

The recall follows 51 reports of "smoking, melting, overheating or fire" with the affected washers, according to the CPSC notice. Of these incidents, property damage occurred in 10 cases, and there have been three reports of people sustaining injuries due to smoke inhalation.

Which models have been recalled?

Samsung has apologized for the inconvenience caused by the recall and has stated that it remains "committed to delivering top-quality products that enhance the lives of our customers."

The affected washers include the WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A, and WA55A model series, which were sold in four colors between June 2021 and December 2022 at retailers such as Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot, Lowe's, appliance stores, and on Samsung's website.

All models and serial numbers can be found here.