If you own a Samsung washing machine, then be afraid, be very afraid. Samsung is being forced to recall 2.8 million of its washing machines due to the possibility of them shaking themselves apart. Or, to put it another way, exploding. Sound familiar?

Let's not bury the lede here. Samsung is recalling 2.8 million washing machines in the United States. The voluntary recall, made in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), affects "certain top-load washers manufactured between March 2011 and current production dates".

Samsung is recalling the machines as "the drums in these washers may lose balance, triggering excessive vibrations, resulting in the top separating from the washer". Customers' safety is put at risk when "a high-speed spin cycle is used for bedding, water-resistant or bulky items".

You can find out if your Samsung washing machine is affected by checking the model and serial number on this page. Only top-loading washing machines are affected, so if you have a front-loader, you can relax.

Choices, Choices

Samsung is offering affected customers two options for dealing with this problem:

  1. "A free in-home repair that includes reinforcement of the washer’s top. Consumers who choose the in-home repair will receive a free one-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty."
  2. "A rebate that can be applied towards the purchase of a new washer from Samsung or other brand washing machine, along with free installation of the new unit and removal of the old unit."

This recall has been on the cards since the end of September when the CPSC began investigating claims Samsung washing machines were tearing themselves apart under certain conditions. This has quickly escalated into a recall, with Samsung likely keen to act fast to prevent another Galaxy Note 7-style debacle.

I think it's fair to say 2016 hasn't been a good year for Samsung. The Galaxy Note 7 was recalled twice, with only the biggest idiots refusing to surrender their handsets. And now this. Samsung must be hoping 2017 brings better luck.

Do you own a Samsung washing machine? Is it one of the top-loaders involved in the recall? Has this soured your opinion of Samsung? Would you hesitate before buying another one of its products? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: G0d4ather via Flickr