Three recall programs cover Samsung top-load washers in the official notices checked for this article: a 2016 U.S. recall of about 2.8 million machines, a December 2022 U.S. recall of about 663,500 machines, and a 2013 Australian recall covering six model names. A washer is covered only when its model number and serial number both fall within the notice for its country. Matching the model family alone does not settle the question, and neither does a matching photo of the front of the machine.
Check your washer before anything else
Every recall below depends on the exact label, so start there. The steps are the same whether you own the washer or are looking at a used listing.
- Find the rating label. The U.S. notices direct owners to the inside of the top lid or the rear of the cabinet. Label placement varies by model, so check both places if the first one has no model number.
- Record the complete model number, including the suffix. Suffixes such as /US, /A2 or /XAA are part of the model string in the notices. Shortening WA52A5500AW/US to WA52A5500AW can make you match the wrong entry.
- Record the serial number. Each notice applies only to certain serial ranges. The U.S. 2022 notice assigns serial ranges to each model variant, so a model match without a serial check is incomplete.
- Compare both against the notice for the country where the washer was sold. A U.S. notice does not cover an Australian unit, and an Australian notice does not cover a U.S. unit.
If you are evaluating a used washer, ask the seller for a clear photo of the label showing both numbers. A photo of the model number alone does not show the serial range.
2016 U.S. recall: top can detach during use
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced this recall on November 4, 2016, covering about 2.8 million Samsung top-load washers. The notice describes the hazard this way: “The washing machine top can detach unexpectedly from the washing machine chassis during use, posing a risk of injury from impact.”
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Models listed in the 2016 notice
The CPSC notice lists 34 model numbers. Serial numbers determine whether a specific machine is included.
- WA40J3000AW/A2
- WA45H7000AP/A2
- WA45H7000AW/A2
- WA45H7200AW/A2
- WA45K7600AW/A2
- WA45K7100AW/A2
- WA48H7400AW/A2
- WA48H7400AP/A2
- WA48J7700AW/A2
- WA48J7770AP/A2
- WA48J7770AW/A2
- WA50K8600AV/A2
- WA50K8600AW/A2
- WA52J8700AP/A2
- WA52J8700AW/A2
- WA52J8060AW/A2
- WA400PJHDWR/AA
- WA422PRHDWR/AA
- WA456DRHDSU/AA
- WA456DRHDWR/AA
- WA476DSHASU/A1
- WA476DSHAWR/A1
- WA484DSHASU/A1
- WA484DSHAWR/A1
- WA50F9A6DSW/A2
- WA50F9A7DSP/A2
- WA50F9A7DSW/A2
- WA50F9A8DSP/A2
- WA50F9A8DSW/A2
- WA5451ANW/XAA
- WA5471ABP/XAA
- WA5471ABW/XAA
- WA56H9000AP/A2
- WA56H9000AW/A2
Remedies offered in 2016
The original notice offered three options:
- A free in-home repair that reinforces the washer top, with a one-year warranty extension.
- A rebate toward a new Samsung or other-brand washer, including installation and removal.
- A full refund for consumers who bought the washer within 30 days before the recall announcement.
These terms belong to a 2016 program. Whether any option is still open for a given machine must be confirmed with Samsung or the CPSC, because a remedy offered years ago may have closed or changed.
Rank #2
- Exclusive Installation Bundle: Includes 3-Prong and 4-Prong Dryer Power Cords, Washer Hose Set, 8-ft Vent Duct, and 1-Year CPS Protection Plan
- Smart Wi-Fi Enabled: Control washer and dryer remotely via SmartThings app
- 4.7 cu ft capacity Washer with Active WaterJet & vibration reduction tech
- Built-in WaterJet faucet lets you pretreat stains inside the tub
- Self Clean keeps the tub fresh without harsh chemicals
2022 U.S. recall: control-panel short circuit and overheating
On December 22, 2022, the CPSC announced a recall of certain top-load washers with the Super Speed Wash feature, covering about 663,500 units. The notice states: “The washing machines can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard.” It also records 51 reports of smoking, melting, overheating or fire, including 10 reports of property damage and three reported smoke-inhalation injuries. These are counts recorded in the notice at the time, not a current estimate of incidents.
Model series and variants
The notice covers six model series: WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A and WA55A. It names these 14 variants, each subject to the serial ranges printed in the notice:
Rank #3
- Exclusive Installation Bundle: Includes 3-Prong and 4-Prong Dryer Power Cords, Washer Hose Set, 8-ft Vent Duct, and 1-Year CPS Protection Plan
- Smart Wi-Fi Enabled: Control washer and dryer remotely via SmartThings app
- 4.4 cu ft capacity Washer with Active & vibration reduction tech
- Easy to Use and Navigate
- Self Clean keeps the tub fresh without harsh chemicals
- WA49B5105AV/US
- WA49B5105AW/US
- WA49B5205AW/US
- WA50B5100AV/US
- WA50B5100AW/US
- WA51A5505AC/US
- WA51A5505AV/US
- WA51A5505AW/US
- WA52A5500AC/US
- WA52A5500AV/US
- WA52A5500AW/US
- WA54A7305AV/US
- WA55A7300AE/US
- WA55A7700AV/US
The software repair
The CPSC and Samsung describe a free software repair. Samsung advises affected owners to update the washer before using it again. The update path depends on the connectivity of the machine:
- Wi-Fi models that are powered and connected to the internet can receive the update over the air.
- Wi-Fi models that are not connected should follow Samsung’s instructions for an offline update.
- Models without Wi-Fi can request a dongle from Samsung to complete the repair.
Confirm that your serial falls within the notice’s range and that the repair has been completed before running the washer on a regular basis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.2013 Australian recall: moisture and electrical connectors
The Australian product-safety recall notice identifies a separate top-load washer recall from 2013. The identified hazard is moisture entering electrical connectors, which creates a fire risk. The notice says: “Immediately turn off your affected top loader washing machine at the power point and do not use it while you wait for a remedy.”
Affected model names
- SW75V9WIP
- SW65V9WIP
- SW70SPWIP
- SW80SPWIP
- WA85GWGIP
- WA85GWWIP
Manufacturing window and unit checks
The notice says the affected machines were manufactured in 2010, 2011, 2012 and some in 2013. The regulator’s follow-up describes the manufacturing period as February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2013. Because the model name alone does not establish the status of an individual unit, check the serial number on the label and contact Samsung about it, or contact the Australian regulator, before deciding the machine is safe.
Scale of the Australian remedy program
The ACCC Product Safety notice of March 2014 reports that 144,451 machines were sold nationally between 2010 and 2013, and that 53,307 had been recalled and fixed nationally at that date. These are progress figures from 2014. They are not a current count of repaired machines.
Quick Recap
The three programs side by side
| Program | Notice date | Models covered | Hazard | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. top detachment (CPSC) | November 4, 2016 | 34 model numbers, subject to serial range | Top can detach during use, risk of impact injury | In-home reinforcement repair with one-year warranty extension; rebate; or full refund for purchases within 30 days before announcement |
| U.S. control-panel overheating (CPSC) | December 22, 2022 | 14 variants in six series, subject to serial range | Short circuit and overheating in control panel, fire hazard | Free software repair; over-the-air, offline instructions, or dongle depending on connectivity |
| Australian electrical connector (ACCC Product Safety) | 2013 recall; follow-up March 2014 | Six model names, manufactured 2010 to 2013 (window February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2013) | Moisture entering electrical connectors, fire risk | Contact Samsung about affected serial numbers; stop using the unit pending remedy; remedy terms not stated in the cited notice |
Where this list stops
- It covers the U.S. and Australian notices only. It is not a complete worldwide list of Samsung washer recalls.
- Outside those countries, check the local product-safety regulator and Samsung’s support site for that market.
- All three programs are historical. A notice tells you whether a washer was covered, not whether it has been repaired.
- Repair status belongs to the individual machine, so Samsung is the only source that can confirm it for your serial number.
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