Samsung Range Recall: Class Action Lawsuit Claims Inadequate Warning

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Samsung, alleging that the company sold defective ranges with faulty heat control knobs that pose a fire hazard.

Consumers Affected: Owners of Samsung electric slide-in ranges with front-mounted heat control knobs.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Samsung consumers beware, a new lawsuit alleges some of the company’s ranges pose a major fire risk that Samsung has failed to adequately alert users to. In the new lawsuit, one Samsung customer says his range with front-mounted heat control knobs can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets, posing a serious fire hazard.

The alleged design defect has caused enough concern for it to lead to a major recall in August, when Samsung recalled more than 1.1 million of the ranges, the lawsuit states. 

Samsung Accused Of Failing To Warn Consumers About Range Fire Risk

New York resident Matthew Unger filed the proposed class action lawsuit against Samsung, accusing it of a range of business law violations with the sale of the defective ranges. He said he purchased his range from the company in 2017 “based on Samsung’s active and persistent promotions touting the quality of its ranges.” 

Unger says he considered Samsung a quality company with a strong reputation for producing reliable ranges. However, he accused the company of selling him and many others a product that had a material defect in the heat control knobs that create “an unreasonable fire or burn risk.” 

He accuses the company of knowing the ranges possessed the defect at the time of sale and of failing to disclose the issue.

Pet Deaths And Injuries Reported Due To Alleged Range Defect

The lawsuit states that to date, Samsung has received over 300 reported incidents of accidental activation, 250 of which led to fires and at least 18 leading to substantial property damages. 

On top of that, approximately 40 injuries have been reported, eight of which required medical attention, and there have been reports of seven fires involving pet deaths, the lawsuit adds.

Samsung Recalls Over A Million Ranges But Lawsuit Claims Insufficient Action

Unger says in the lawsuit that despite the major recall in August, in which the company pulled 1.1 million ranges from the shelves, he has never been informed of any recalls or defects related to his range by anyone affiliated with Samsung, and only learned of the defects on social media.  

According to the recall notice on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website, consumers should contact Samsung to receive a free set of knob locks or covers compatible with their model of electric slide-in range to install.

Unger said, however, he was still “burdened with a range that has been devalued by defendant's actions because the value of a range with a known and dangerous defect is worth much less than a range with a properly working and safe electrical cord.”

Samsung Faces Multiple Lawsuits Over Allegedly Defective Products

Unger’s lawsuit is far from the first lawsuit Samsung has come up against accusing it of selling defective products to consumers. It was recently hit with a proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of selling top-loader washing machines that corrode prematurely. According to the lawsuit, a defect in the machines causes the flange on the bottom of the washing machines’ tub to corrode, releasing tiny particles during washing cycles.

Samsung’s washing machines also caused drama in 2016, when it had to recall around 2.8 million top-loaders for allegedly exploding during washes. Legal action followed the recall, and in 2019 the company agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement. 

Recently, the company caught a break in court when a judge dismissed a class action lawsuit that accused the company of selling defective refrigerators. Consumers accused Samsung of selling refrigerators with defective French-door external dispensers that were prone to leaking, slushing over, freezing and excessive noise.  

In Unger’s lawsuit, he is suing for breach of express warranty, unjust enrichment, and violations of New York business law. He wants to represent consumers nationwide in his efforts to get damages, interest, and legal fees and costs. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Unger v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc
• Case Number: 1:24-Cv-05689 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Philip J. Furia and Jason P. Sultzer (Sultzer & Lipari, PLLC)
• Paul J. Doolittle and Seth Little (Poulin | Willey Anastopoulo, LLC)

Have you experienced any issues with your Samsung range? Share your experiences in the comments below.