Samsung Washers’ Rusty Revelation: Class Action Alleges Defective Design

When you buy a washing machine, you expect it to clean your clothes, not dirty them with rust and debris. But for plaintiff Susan Zabransky and other consumers, this expectation turned into disappointment with certain Samsung top-load washers.

Allegations of a corrosive nature

Zabransky filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the machines have a significant flaw: the flange, which is crucial to the washer's operation, is prone to premature corrosion. Not long after purchase, some consumers say they noticed rust particles sticking to their clothes and clogging the machine, turning what should be a simple task into a laundry nightmare.

According to the lawsuit, “once the flange begins to corrode, tiny particles are released into the machine during wash cycles.” These aren’t just any particles; they’re accused of clinging to clothing, blocking hoses, and trapping themselves in the impeller, obstructing proper water drainage and leading to mold. This mold isn’t just unsightly; it’s accused of leeching onto clothes, turning a machine meant to clean into one that dirties.

A cycle of discontent

Zabransky claims Samsung's reaction to these allegations has been less than cleansing. The complaint states, “Samsung refuses to properly address and rectify the problem,” even when consumers like Zabransky herself reached out for support. Rather than acknowledging a potential design flaw, the suit suggests Samsung directed customers to clean their machines—a temporary solution that skirts around the root issue.

Moreover, when looking to replace the faulty part, consumers were allegedly met with frustration. The complaint points out the grim irony: “a new flange, made of the same material, only provides a band-aid type fix as the replacement flange will also corrode in a short period of time.”

Samsung's stain on consumer trust

The lawsuit asserts that Samsung knew about the corrosion as early as 2013, thanks to customer complaints. Despite this, Zabransky accuses Samsung of continuing to market and sell these machines without disclosing the defect or providing a lasting remedy. When consumers reached out, the responses were either instructions on cleaning the machine or offers to send a technician at the customer's own expense—solutions that hardly address a deteriorating metal flange.

“Samsung sold Plaintiff’s Washing Machine even though it knew, or was reckless in not knowing, that its Washing Machines were defectively designed or manufactured and would ultimately result in the flange prematurely deteriorating,” alleges the complaint.

Legal laundry list

For those seeking a more permanent fix, the search for a replacement flange often ended in vain. The few who found the part were faced with a $200 bill for the same doomed design. This, according to the class action, is where Samsung fell short, leaving customers to shoulder the cost of a design flaw.

The allegations raise serious questions about consumer rights and corporate responsibility. The lawsuit seeks to hold Samsung accountable under claims including violations of consumer protection acts, fraudulent concealment, and breach of warranty. It’s a potent reminder that, as Zabransky’s complaint argues, when products fall short of their promise, consumers need not stay silent.

This isn’t the first time Samsung's washers have spun into the legal spotlight. Back in late 2016, about 2.8 million top-loading washers were recalled after reports that the top of the washer could unexpectedly detach from the machine's body. The risk was significant enough that nine related injuries were reported, and Consumer Reports had spotlighted the safety issues of these 'exploding' washers even before the recall was announced.

Following the recall, Samsung and three major retailers agreed to a settlement of a class action lawsuit surrounding these top-loading washers. 

Zabransky is represented by Joseph LoPiccolo, John N. Pulos and Anthony S. Almeida and Bruce H. Nagel and Randee Matloff of Nagel Rice LLP.

The Samsung top load washers class action lawsuit is Susan Zabransky v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-02133, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.