James Crawford Key Takeaways
- Two CPSC recalls cover Samsung top-load washers: 17-028 in 2016 for tops that detach, and 23-080 for a fire hazard fixed by software.
- The 2016 recall covered about 2.8 million washers in 34 models, all with model numbers beginning with WA.
- Model and serial numbers are on labels on the back of the washer; the later recall also lists a label inside the lid.
- Always compare your full model number with the list on the CPSC recall page.
- Remedies include a free repair, a rebate or refund in 2016 and a free software update for the fire-hazard recall.
The Bottom Line
Check your model number against the CPSC lists for recalls 17-028 and 23-080, and claim any remedy through Samsung. Stop the washer if you see smoke, burning or a top that moves.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lists two Samsung top-load washer recalls, so that is where to check your own machine. They are a 2016 recall for tops that could detach, and a later recall for a fire hazard fixed by a software update. Everything below comes from the CPSC pages for those recalls, and you can compare it with our general Samsung appliance recall check.
| Recall | Hazard | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| CPSC recall 17-028, announced November 4, 2016 | Washer top can detach from the chassis during use, risking impact injury | Free in-home repair with reinforcement and a one-year warranty extension, a rebate, or a refund for recent buyers |
| CPSC recall 23-080 | Washers can short-circuit and overheat, a fire hazard | Free software update; Wi-Fi models update automatically |
What Was the 2016 Samsung Top-Load Washer Recall?
It covered about 2.8 million top-load washers whose top could detach unexpectedly from the chassis during use. CPSC lists 34 models, all with model numbers beginning with WA, sold from March 2011 to November 2016 at stores nationwide.
CPSC reports that Samsung had received 733 reports of excessive vibration or the top detaching, with nine related reports of injuries, including a broken jaw and an injured shoulder. The agency's remedy options were a free in-home repair that reinforces the top and extends the warranty by one year, a rebate toward a new washer with free installation and removal, or a refund for those who bought within 30 days of the announcement.
Where Do I Find My Model and Serial Number?
On the back of the machine. CPSC says the model and serial information appears on two labels affixed to the back of the washer, and for the later recall it also lists a label inside the top lid.
- Switch the washer off and pull it out slightly. You need to see the rear panel.
- Find the label. It carries the model number and the serial number.
- Photograph it. A photo is easier than reading small print in a tight space.
- Check inside the lid. The 2022 recall lists a label there too.
- Write both numbers down. You will need them to compare with the list.
Do this with the washer empty and unplugged, and take care of the weight of the machine when you move it.
The Later Fire-Hazard Recall
CPSC recall 23-080 covers about 663,500 top-load washers that can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard. The affected models are the WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A and WA55A series.
CPSC lists 51 reports of smoking, melting, overheating or fire, with ten incidents causing property damage and three consumers reporting smoke inhalation. The remedy is a free software update, delivered automatically to Wi-Fi-equipped washers when connected to the internet. For washers without Wi-Fi, or owners who prefer another method, the CPSC page directs you to Samsung for a free download dongle.
Most people stop at the series name, and that is the usual mistake. The 2016 list runs to 34 model numbers, and the later recall lists six series with suffixes. A washer that is close to a listed model is not the same as a listed model, so compare character by character and keep a photo of the label beside the CPSC page when you do.
How Do I Know If My Washer Is Included?
Compare the model number on your label with the list on the CPSC recall page, and do not rely on the name of the series alone. The lists are long and precise, and a model that looks similar may not be included.
- Search the CPSC recall number. Enter 17-028 or 23-080 on the CPSC website, which is the source of truth.
- Match the full model number. Prefixes and suffixes both count.
- Check both recalls. A washer can be eligible for one and not the other.
- Keep the page. Save or print the confirmation if your model matches.
We do not reproduce the full model lists here, because CPSC is the place where they are kept correct.
It is also worth remembering that a recall remedy is free. If your model is on a list, you should not pay for the fix, and anyone who asks for payment for a recall repair deserves a second look. Go to Samsung or the CPSC page as the starting point, and keep your confirmation.
Is It Safe to Use My Washer While I Check?
Check promptly. For the later fire-hazard recall, CPSC says to check whether the washer's software has been updated and, if it has not, to stop using the washer until it is. For both recalls, use common sense in the meantime. If the top shakes, if the washer vibrates violently, or if you notice smoke, burning smell or melting, stop the machine, switch it off at the breaker and treat it as a hazard.
- Do not stand or lean on a moving washer. The recalled hazard was about the top coming off during use.
- Do not overload it. Heavy, unbalanced loads increase vibration on any washer.
- Do not leave it running when you are out. It is a sensible precaution for any appliance.
- Stop at smoke or burning smell. Switch the breaker off and contact us or the maker.
Recalls change as new facts come to light, so the list that matters is the one on the CPSC page when you check, not the one in this guide. Our summary reflects the CPSC pages as we read them, and it is a starting point, not a replacement for the source.
Keep your paperwork. If your washer was repaired or reinforced under the recall, keep the work order and the date, because it helps if there is ever a question about the remedy. If you bought the washer second-hand, the recall still applies to the model, and you can check the label even without a receipt.
What We Can and Cannot Help With
We are an independent repair guide, not Samsung and not CPSC, so we do not administer recalls. If your model matches, claim the remedy through Samsung's own recall process as CPSC describes it. For anything outside the recall, such as vibration after the fix or a washer that still misbehaves, we can diagnose it.
If your washer is not on either list but shakes or stops with a code, our guide to a Samsung washer that is not spinning and the Samsung washer repair or replace guide are the places to start. The diagnostic starts from $89, and the final price is confirmed after the on-site diagnosis, with a written estimate before any work begins.
Our Samsung washer repair service covers vibration and electrical faults. You can book a visit or tell us your model number, and we will help you tell a recall issue from an ordinary fault.