LG Recalls Top-Loading Washing Machines Due to Risk of Injury

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Dec 18, 2012, 07:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )

Recall Summary

Name of product: Top-Loading Washing Machines
Hazard: An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrounding area.
Remedy: Repair
Consumer Contact: For LG; toll-free at (855) 400-4639, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT Saturday, or online at www.lg.com/us and click on Public Notices. For Kenmore or LG washers purchased at Sears or Kmart; toll-free at (888) 812-2935, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Saturday, or online at www.sears.com and click on Customer Service Home then Product Recalls in the Product Information section.

Recall Details

Units: About 457,000
Description: The recall involves three LG and three Kenmore Elite Brand top-loading washing machine models manufactured between February 2010 and November 2011. The units come in beige, white and graphite steel colors. Recalled washing machines have the following model and serial number ranges:

Brand	Model	Serial Number Range
LG	WT5001CW	002KW***** through 111KW*****
	WT5101HV
	WT5101HW
Kenmore Elite	29002	005KW***** through 111KW*****
	29272
	29278

The model and serial number can be found on a label fixed on the rating plate on the top back of the washing machine.
Incidents/Injuries: LG has received at least 343 reports of washing machines vibrating excessively, of which at least 187 involved minor property damage. One minor injury has been reported.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplemental information to be inserted into their owner's manual and a new caution label to be placed on the washing machine. Consumers who have observed their recalled washing machine shaking excessively should immediately stop using it. Consumers should be aware that loading their machines with water-proof or water-resistant items, such as mattress pads, mattress covers and similar items, increases the chances of loads being unbalanced.

Sold at: LG models were sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Kmart, Sears and local retailers nationwide. Kenmore Elite models were sold at Kmart and Sears. All were sold from April 2010 to December 2012 for between $899 and $1,099.
Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc., of South Korea
Manufactured in: South Korea

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products—such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals—contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission