Recall#
13-073
Recall Date
December 17, 2012
Product Name
Top-Loading Washing Machines
Product Manufacturer
South Korea
Units Affected
About 457,000
Recall Description
Unbalanced loads can cause LG and Kenmore Elite washers to shake excessively during use. LG has received at least 187 reports of minor property damage.
Possible 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.
Reported Incidents
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 Transform for Kenmore brand products 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.
Retailers
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.
Information provided by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission