Samsung have had to organise a “home-visit & repair programme” to deal with a potential fire risk in their RS21 and RS60 range fridge freezers. Their own announcement on their web site said that “in very rare cases, there is the potential for internal sparking to occur and in consequence, damage to the appliance.”
However, some press articles used more dramatic phrases (Which have since been removed from their web sites)
Latest update
As of March 2014 Samsung have extended this safety notice to include ALL RS21 and RS60 fridge freezers no matter when it was made. Initially it was only for models made within a certain date range, this was extended to include more models later and now Which? are reporting it’s all of these models regardless of purchase date plus the models listed below. You may also want to try this telephone number 0800 988 0123
These are the models either affected directly, or as Samsung say, use a similar defrost system so should also be checked –
- RS21
- RS60
- RSE8
- RSH1
- RSJ1
- SN62
If you have a Samsung fridge freezer
To be sure if your model is affected you should check the model number (where is the model or serial number on a fridge or freezer?). According to Which? the Electrical safety council have advised anyone with one of these model which hasn’t been modified by Samsung should stop using it immediately and contact Samsung.
Unfortunately all my links to help on the Samsung site have had to be removed. This is because it seems all manufacturers take these pages down as soon as they think they can get away with it. This is understandable to a point but it’s disgraceful.
Only today (Feb 2017) I’ve had an email from a consumer who has one of these affected fridge freezers. She was shocked to find this page whilst researching a different fault – especially as she registered the appliance with Samsung.
This shows that many people can slip through the net and continue to use a dangerous appliance. Manufacturers should be obliged by law to leave (and not move) notices about potentially dangerous appliances for at least 10 years.
Several Which? Trial Offers available to allow you to research all future purchases and see expert reviews and recommendations. Easily save a lot more money than it costs. I know I do.
Kathy says
Hi,
I have just bought a Samsung rs21ncs fridge freezer second hand from ebay. Whilst looking for a user manual, I have found this site. I’m now concerned it is going to set on fire! Is there anyway of checking if it has had the dodgy part replaced?
Any help/ advice appreciated.
Thanks,
kathy
Washerhelp says
Kathy: You should check the appliance using the advice and link to Samsung in my article. It may not even be affected. If it is you should contact them as you don’t know if it’s been modified or not. I would expect if they have already modified it (assuming it’s an affected model) they should have a record of its serial number.
Kathy says
Thanks,
when you refer to your article, do you mean your post above with a link to the samsung website to check? When I clicked it, the page isn’t found on the samsung website. I’ll try and give them a ring.
Thanks,
kathy
Washerhelp says
Yes Kathy: All the links on the article at the top of this page work for me including the one you need – Check if your appliance is affected at Samsung
Kathy says
Thanks for your help. When I click the link, I get this message:-
The page you requested is not available
Sorry, we are having a problem executing your request.
It is possible your bookmark is old one or you just meet broken link.
Please refer to link about information.
Not to worry tho. I rang samsung and they have agreed to send an engineer to replace the parts free of charge, even tho it’s out of warranty. Pretty impressive if it comes off.
Thanks guys for all your help.
Much appreciated,
kathy
FridgeFire says
(1/10/2011 18:25:15. Samsung Fridge freezer on fire in kitchen of semi detached house. One hose reel, four BA. Thermal Image Camera, PPV fan and small gear in use. Hefat and fire damage to kitchen and conservatory. Smoke detector activated.17026)
Fire report form Humberside Fire Service over £14000 worth of damage plus structural damage. F/F Just over 4 years old no extended warrantee,,
Who is to blame??
Can we sue??
Please can you advise what we should do,,
Thanks
Louisa says
Hi there, my concerned mum sent me this link as she gave me her 2nd RS21 about 4yrs ago – I’ve had no problems with it apart from the ice-maker breaking down – but that didnt bother me so i never got it fixed. Ive noticed it does make some funny noises when its opened and even at night – i can hear weird scraping noises. Ive not had a problem with the temp of the fridge or the freezer and have always left it on when I’ve been on holiday. Should i get it checked anyway??? Dont where i stand in terms of the warranty etc as my mum bought it ages ago and probably wont have the p/w for it anymore?? any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
Washerhelp says
FridgeFire: Normally you would claim on your insurance and the insurance company will pursue whoever it believes is responsible to recover their costs. Other than that you would have to take legal advice if you wanted to claim compensation, which would presumably be from the people who sold it to you under the Sale of Goods Act though I couldn’t say for certain in this type of case. I would ask Trading Standards.
Louisa, modern fridges and freezers can make a lot of strange noises, hissing, gushing noises and the occasional loud crack. If noises are new though you may need to get them investigated. If your model number is affected according to Beko’s site it should of course be reported asap but if not then according to Beko there’s nothing to worry about. As far as this safety warning is concerned if yours is one of the models (and serial numbers) affected I can’t see where you got the fridge from and whether you bought it new or second hand being relevant. They can’t leave it with a fire risk simply because you had it second hand.
nico says
I bought my RS21 in feb 2005 from appliancecity, the fan was replaced oct 06 and i sent off the card requesting a safety inspection as requested by Samsung and have heard nothing. Now xmas 2011 the water dispenser doesn’t work and the top of the fridge is very warm and i believe the fan cant be working at all. I face xmas with my food spoiling and engineers finished until the new year. What options do I have as the appliance is now over 6 years old? it is still a potential hazard and I wouldn’t want to trust it to be left on whilst I was away for any length of time.
Washerhelp says
nico: Have you checked that your model and serial number are affected using the link in my article? If it is you should contact them asap and get them to advise you or call out. If you believe it’s a fire risk you should stop using it.