Samsung Washing Machine Recall Error Results in House Fire Among 260+ Melting and Burning Incidents

In 2013, Samsung began issuing a massive recall of over 144,000 top loader washing machine units after a dangerous waterproofing defect was identified in them. The flaw had even resulted in homes going down in flames. Unfortunately, it turns out that not all defective products were recalled and replaced.

An e-mail exchange in May 2015 between the two parties shows that, Samsung misinformed a washing machine owner in Australia, Phoebe Teitzel, and assured her that her unit was safe and did not need to be recalled. The company representative informed her that based on the serial number of the unit, Ms. Teitzel’s machine had been manufactured in February 2013 and had therefore been modified to correct the defect.

This turned out to be disastrously untrue. Earlier this month, the machine burst into flame. A greater disaster was averted thanks to a watchful neighbor who was quick to report the fire and no one was injured. This incident was one of more than 260 melting or burning incidents occurring with Samsung top-loaders since the recall, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Samsung has admitted to the error has apologized to the family unreservedly, The Daily Telegraph reports. Thus far, 114,000 of the 144,000 or so recalled machines have been repaired and replaced.