Maytag repairman panics as company recalls 250,000 washers

It looks like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has plenty of hazardous products to keep itself busy with these days, today announcing recalls of a pair of washing machines just a day after they sent out word of some flammable keyboards. The washers in question are Samsung and Maytag front-loading models sold between April 2005 and August 2006, totaling some 270,000 units in all (almost all Maytags -- click on through for the specific model numbers affected). Apparently, they have the nasty habit of leaking water onto the electrical connections inside, potentially causing a short and a fire as a result. While there's been reports of five such incidents so far, none have resulted in injuries or damages beyond the washing machine itself. Those stuck with one of the washers are advised to contact Maytag or Samsung for information on getting a free repair.

Read - Maytag recall information
Read - Samsung recall information
Read - CPSC announcement

[Deezee @ Mar 21st 2007 2:13PM]

That headline is hilarious. lol

[jackryan @ Mar 21st 2007 8:48PM]

best headline ever. I agree.
The maytag repair guy is a deadbeat. Time for a wake up call!

[Kevlar @ Mar 21st 2007 3:47PM]

Shouldn't it be "Maytag repairmen panic..."?

The headline (while quite funny) makes it seem like one repairman panicked when maytag announced the recall, or maybe one repairman panicked when the washer caught fire in front of him?

[Michael Daly @ Mar 21st 2007 4:03PM]

Actually, I believe the headline is referring to "the" Maytag repairman, i.e. this guy:
http://www.tvacres.com/admascots_maytag.htm

[Kevlar @ Mar 21st 2007 4:42PM]

Oh. That creepy guy. I forgot that Maytag had a repairman as their mascot. He always reminded me of those creepy old guys who had some kind of horrible secret. Like he kills people with washing machines or something.

[Sam @ Mar 21st 2007 5:15PM]

I almost bought these. Good thing Maytag won't let any retailers offer discounts. That pushed me to other brands.

[Mitch @ Mar 22nd 2007 1:48PM]

I have the Samsung model that is effected by this "recall" however, both Maytag and Samsung are not fixing the units. Instead they are shipping to the buyer a GFCI circuit breaker.

It is very disappointing that my Brand new washer will not be properly repaired. So instead of repairing the washers they will prevent a fire, but your washer will eventually fail do to this faulty design.


DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THE PROBLEM!

[sharon kilber @ Apr 6th 2007 5:59PM]

This is just great. I, was in on the Neptune maytag lawsuit, and received a 400.00 rebate for another piece of maytag crab that was also being recalled. Now I, have the samsung washer, that's being recalled, and their sending me a plug and not really fixing the problem. By the way my washer, was starting to leak water last night. Lucky for me I, can return my washer to where I, bought it. I'am not taking any changes with it, What will it be next will the wash machine overflow and flood us out. Now what do I, buy?

[Renee Sarmiento @ Apr 11th 2007 4:29PM]

In February we purchased a Maytag Neptune washer and dryer. These should never have been sold to us in the first place because they were on the recall list. I can't believe that Maytag would do this to us. I'll never purchase from them again. Their totally dishonest. I will be buying from Sears next time. At least they stand behind their products.

[I WIN, Maybe You Can Too @ Apr 26th 2007 1:23PM]

I purchased the Neptune pair in Nov 05...I contacted the regular customer service line for Maytag and told them that I wanted some answers as to why the source problem (the leak)wasn't being fixed....they initially downplayed me, but when I pressed them for specifics...ie a schematic of the problem....they told me they'd take my number and have a supervisor contact me....She called the next day......They're shipping me a brand new EPIC model....seems to be a colaboration with whirlpool...may be they can build a decent front loader! I hope be nice but persitant with customer service will work this well for others who bought the Neptunes.

[nancyde @ May 9th 2007 6:08PM]

i bought a neptune topload a couple of years ago for 1K thinking it would be a great washer... nope! leaked on the floor a year ago - got that fixed. Now it won't drain or spin right. Had a repair guy out 2x already to try to fix and so far he has replaced a few parts but it still won't do a load of laundrey. now he's putting in a new pump - will this work? I'm getting really tired of going to the laundromat when I spent a lot on a washer at home... Has anyone else had issues with their top load neptune? I only see articles about the front load (which I almost bought but didn't...)YIKES! What has happened to Maytag?

[rick aspril @ May 28th 2007 9:54AM]

purchased in "good faith" set of neptune top loader couple of years ago, after 14 months my wifes "maytag smile" turned 180.Reason for wrinkle free design claims should be fewer wrinkles, not true actually worse than any agitator washer ive ever seen,out of balance problems soon after started as well as water would not drain,and could not even get a spin only out of it. I have stood next to this machine re-arranging loads trying different settings starting with a prayer and then to language the clergy do not know.Yesterday purchased LG. When asked if after delivery of LG would i like old washer hauled off it was tempting but asked that delivery folks help me put our near new maytag in shed to wait for recall.Lets all start class action suit as i feel a $1000 machine should at least last 2yrs.
Rising up wrinkled & Angered. Rick Aspril

[Nancy @ Jul 8th 2007 3:57PM]

I am unahppy with our Neptune top load washer -- same as you. Did you get anywhere with the balance problem? I keep putting wet loads into my dryer because the washer won't spin them dry....now I have to worry about a dryer fire....very disappointed to have stuck with Maytag. I'm too busy and have too much wash to be bothering with this, that's why I bought top of the line Maytag in the first place.

[sandyszarka @ Jul 31st 2007 12:06PM]

We have the Maytag MAH9700 model washer. We received our GFCI plug, but the washer is filling the dispenser cups, for the detergent, bleach, etc, with water. We also had to have a repairman come out, shortly after we bought the unit, to replace a circuit board because the drum was spinning too fast. It also doesn't drain all of the water out of the clothes, they are heavy and take longer to dry.

MAYTAG is a huge disappointment to us, as well, and we will no longer be purchasing their products!

My advice to others buying elsewhere, in future, is do some research first, they may be manufacturing the products, under other names, and they may be sold from your favorite retailers.

Buyer Beware!! And, Maytag, please do the right thing and replace the machines that we all spent so much money on. And, stop the ads that show that your "Repairman" has no work!! That is obviously false advertisment!!!!!!!!!!

[dave @ May 14th 2008 4:16PM]

I too have just experianced the Maytag repair? for the leaking Neptune front load washer. Send me a GFCI you have got to be kidding. Its already plugged into a GFCI. Apparently water leaked onto a circuit board and fried it. Washer does not work at all and a GFCI is supposed to fix this? Well at least I can use the GFCI on my christmas tree lights

[Mary @ Sep 6th 2007 2:36PM]

It just plain pisses me off to see those new Maytag Repairman commercials. Is that the guy I couldn't get to come at all last winter when my 2000 Neptune motor died for the third time? Is he representing the same Maytag who failed to contact me during the class action suit? So many reputable technicians dumped Maytag as a client during the frustrating acquisition by Whirlpool. They have their nerve bringing the Maytag Repairman back....as though nothing ever happened. I barely squeaked 5-1/2 years out of my Neptune. Isn't the average washer good for about 15 years? They owe me about nine years of a very expensive washer.

[Becky P @ Aug 20th 2008 5:15AM]

After all the "quality" advertisements that the MAYTAG repairman is servicing (ex; toasters, vaccuums,etc), no wonder they have no time to fix the crap they've been selling all of us who trusted these supposingly best above the rest appliance company.
While my family was fighting for my mother-in-laws life with cancer, they were greedily taking money from us for appliances they had to already knew was faulty. I feel like the public trust they advertise out there in paper, media and radio advertisements is a bunch of crap. The money should've been used to fix the problem or at the very least apologized!
If you or I did this we'd be in a lot of trouble facing FRAUD charges!!!
I have still yet to receive any of the reimbursement I have been promised more times than I can count. I think if we all got together and picked a day to call or email, whichever you prefer, that might get their attention. I say might because the commercials are still running and the Fraud continues to get even worse! I"m sending this letter to every place that wants to hear from consumers who spent their
SHAME ON YOU MAYTAG *****IN MY FAMILIES CASE, YOU HAVE BOOD ON YOUR HANDS!!!

[LEO BEUNING @ Apr 15th 2009 9:07PM]

Well, after reading all of these posts I am getting pissed also. Our Front Loader, Neptune 4000 has quit spinning all of the water out of the clothes. Waitig on new parts. Why were we never notified of the Class Action Suit? Paid enough for the darn thing should never have broken down, after all, that repairman never has any work!