Whitegoods Help article

Samsung RS21 and RS60 fridge freezers safety notice

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Quick Answer

As of March 2014 Samsung extended this notice to cover ALL RS21 and RS60 fridge freezers regardless of manufacture date, plus additional models using a similar defrost system. If you have one of the affected models that has not already been modified by Samsung, stop using it and call Samsung on 0800 988 0123 to arrange the free repair. Check the model number on the label inside the fridge compartment – see our guide on where to find the model number on a fridge or freezer.

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Stop using immediately if your model has not been modified

Samsung has issued a fire risk safety notice covering RS21 and RS60 range fridge freezers, later extended to all models in this range regardless of purchase date, plus additional related models listed below. The Electrical Safety Council advised anyone with an unmodified affected appliance to stop using it immediately and contact Samsung. A free home-visit repair programme is available.

Affected Models

Samsung’s notice covers all appliances in the following ranges, plus units using a similar defrost system:

RS21 (all models)
RS60 (all models)
RSE8
RSH1
RSJ1
SN62

As of March 2014 the scope was extended to include all RS21 and RS60 models regardless of when the appliance was manufactured or purchased. If you have an RS21 or RS60 that has not already been modified by Samsung, it is covered by this notice.

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Already registered your appliance with Samsung?

Registering an appliance is supposed to ensure owners are contacted directly when a safety notice is issued. In practice, some registered owners of these Samsung fridge freezers were not notified. If you have a registered RS21 or RS60 and have not received confirmation that the modification has been carried out, contact Samsung directly – do not assume the modification has happened because you registered the appliance.

What to Do

  1. Check your model number. The model number is on a label inside the fridge compartment. Confirm whether your appliance is one of the models listed above. See our guide on how to find the model or serial number on a fridge freezer.
  2. If your model is affected and has not been modified, stop using it immediately. This is the specific advice from the Electrical Safety Council. Do not continue using the appliance until Samsung has confirmed the modification has been carried out.
  3. Contact Samsung. Call 0800 988 0123 to arrange the free home-visit repair. Samsung’s dedicated safety notice pages for this recall have been removed – if this number is no longer active, contact Samsung customer services through their current website and reference the RS21/RS60 safety notice.
Food storage during the wait

Fridge freezers cannot simply be switched off while awaiting repair without spoiling the contents. If you cannot immediately get confirmation of when the repair will be carried out, consider whether contents can be temporarily transferred to other cold storage. The internal sparking fault is described as rare – Samsung’s own language at the time was “in very rare cases, there is the potential for internal sparking to occur.” However, the Electrical Safety Council’s advice to stop using unmodified appliances immediately should be given significant weight.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Samsung RS21 and RS60 fridge freezers affected?

Yes – as of March 2014 Samsung extended the safety notice to cover all RS21 and RS60 models regardless of manufacture date or purchase date. The notice was initially limited to a specific production date range but was subsequently expanded. If you have an RS21 or RS60 that has not had the Samsung modification carried out, it is covered by this notice.

I registered my Samsung fridge freezer but was never contacted – what should I do?

Contact Samsung directly. Some registered owners were not notified despite the appliance being registered. Do not assume the modification has been carried out simply because you registered the appliance. Call 0800 988 0123 or contact Samsung through their current customer service channels and specifically reference the RS21/RS60 safety notice.

Should I stop using the fridge freezer immediately?

If your appliance is an affected model and has not been modified, the Electrical Safety Council’s advice was to stop using it immediately and contact Samsung. Given that fridge freezers cannot be switched off without spoiling contents, contact Samsung as a matter of urgency to arrange the free repair visit. If you cannot reach Samsung quickly, consider whether the most perishable contents can be temporarily moved to other cold storage while the repair is arranged.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Samsung’s dedicated safety notice pages for this recall have been removed. Contact Samsung customer services directly via their current website or on 0800 988 0123 – note this number may no longer be active given the age of the notice.

Discussion

64 Comments

Grouped into 54 comment threads.

Washerhelp 3 replies Maybe they've accepted that the problem of ice building up around the fan is a design issue but it is a separate issue to this particular safety notice and not related to the fire risk as far as I'm aware.

Maybe they’ve accepted that the problem of ice building up around the fan is a design issue but it is a separate issue to this particular safety notice and not related to the fire risk as far as I’m aware.

Christian

They are coming out to it today. Sending subcontractors. The lady on the phone said that mine was a product recall visit. They bring 6 parts as part of the recall (fire issue). The parts also include replacement fan cover and other bits which should stop the ice build up. So I suppose it’s wait and see.

Washerhelp

The fan icing up is a long known issue but not related to the fire risk. The chances are yours is a model with this fire risk and needs modifying but there are no symptoms regarding the fire risk. Either that or your model has now been included as they appear to have extended the models they want/need to modify –

“As a precautionary measure, Samsung will also include the following fridge freezers with a similar deforost system as part of the programme. The following extended models include RS21 and RS60 (outside the above dates of manufacture) SN62, RSE8, RSH1 and RSJ1”

Christian

Yes you’re right. The guy has been, nice bloke too. The reason why they turned up was to fix the products recall issue (fire hazzard) as they hadn’t been out previously. Samsung also have a policy now to fix the fan freezing up issue in the same visit for free. So all was a nice bonus. Thanks.

Stuart 1 reply Hi looking for help. Can down the stairs to find RS21 fridge freezer not working. Tryed the fuse in the plug (blown) replaced the fuse and when switched on it made anoise for about 2 seconds and blew the fuse in the plug again. Can anyone help ???? Thanks

Hi looking for help. Can down the stairs to find RS21 fridge freezer not working. Tryed the fuse in the plug (blown) replaced the fuse and when switched on it made anoise for about 2 seconds and blew the fuse in the plug again. Can anyone help ???? Thanks

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg)

Likely replying to Stuart

Stuart, I would use the telephone number in my article to see if yours is affected. If it is they need to come and look at it. Your fault may or may not be related. If it isn’t affected by this safety notice then it’s a question of getting someone to look at it anyway.

Washerhelp 1 reply Thanks for the update smythe and I hope it proves acceptable for you. If not, remember you still have the option to pursue the retailer under the sale of goods act. Please keep us informed. Experience like yours is valuable to us all.

Thanks for the update smythe and I hope it proves acceptable for you. If not, remember you still have the option to pursue the retailer under the sale of goods act. Please keep us informed. Experience like yours is valuable to us all.

smythe

HI,i might be sucker for punisment but if samsung send me a money off voucher ,to used against there products only how are there new range of american fridge/freezers ??? i still like the styling would i be out my mind to have one of there cuurent modals and do they still suffer from the same problems.

many thanks

smythe

smythe 1 reply RSH1DBRS just started the fridge scrapping noise (stops when fridge door is opened) Samsung sent engineer out condemnd it to the grave yard as unrepairable, both sides have no cooling, not 4 yrs old yet, bought from comet (not there fault) .this car`nt be right can it? £800 and lasts under 4 yrs and then unrepairable. Comet or Samsung must replace surely? and after reading everyone is having the same problems is this not a design fault ,i`m now waiting for Samsungs responce.

RSH1DBRS just started the fridge scrapping noise (stops when fridge door is opened) Samsung sent engineer out condemnd it to the grave yard as unrepairable, both sides have no cooling, not 4 yrs old yet, bought from comet (not there fault) .this car`nt be right can it? £800 and lasts under 4 yrs and then unrepairable. Comet or Samsung must replace surely? and after reading everyone is having the same problems is this not a design fault ,i`m now waiting for Samsungs responce.

Washerhelp

Likely replying to smythe

Hello smythe: If you are lucky, Samsung may try to salvage you as a customer by offering to compensate you. If they won’t, then presumably you’d never buy another product from them and would advise all you know to do the same.

In law, only the retailer you bought it from has any legal responsibility so if Samsung aren’t interested you will be wasting your time with them. It’s the place you bought it from you would need to fight with for compensation. I would say you have a very good case that at a cost of £800 it has not lasted a reasonable time, and it may even have been sold with an “inherent fault”.

Sarah 1 reply Oh my god i have found my way to this site after looking for a way to put a new motor (that i recently bought from ebay) in my Samsung fridge freezer i can't believe what i have been reading and am now scared to death that my fridge freezer is a potential sure risk, i have also discovered that the motor can't be replaced due to toxic cfc gases is this true?? Please please can someone help me or give me as i don't have a clue if my kids and my home is safe

Oh my god i have found my way to this site after looking for a way to put a new motor (that i recently bought from ebay) in my Samsung fridge freezer i can’t believe what i have been reading and am now scared to death that my fridge freezer is a potential sure risk, i have also discovered that the motor can’t be replaced due to toxic cfc gases is this true?? Please please can someone help me or give me as i don’t have a clue if my kids and my home is safe

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Sarah

Sarah, you can’t replace the motor (I presume you mean compressor?) on a fridge without specialist equipment. You need to send it back for a refund under the 7 day cooling off period if you bought it on line new.

You also need to check the serial number and model number on the fridge as described in this article to see if it’s affected or not and contact Samsung if it is.

Dawn 1 reply I also have a Samsung RS21 fridge/freezer with ice maker - I have had this item over 6 years now but because I had a 5 year warranty on this item had (I think) the thermal fuse replaces every 6 months - I too complained to Samsung about this obvious manufacturing fault (at time unware that others were having same problems)., they refused to replace the machine and it kept breaking down - I finally found replacement items on ebay for £10 with full instructions and replaced it myself worked fine but now I seem to have a different fault and wondered if anyone can identify what it is - blew fuses in the house and then I found that both the freezer & fridge were not keeping cool both temperature gauges read 19 degrees very warm (replaced both the defrost sensor & thermal fuse no effect. Dawn

I also have a Samsung RS21 fridge/freezer with ice maker – I have had this item over 6 years now but because I had a 5 year warranty on this item had (I think) the thermal fuse replaces every 6 months – I too complained to Samsung about this obvious manufacturing fault (at time unware that others were having same problems)., they refused to replace the machine and it kept breaking down – I finally found replacement items on ebay for £10 with full instructions and replaced it myself worked fine but now I seem to have a different fault and wondered if anyone can identify what it is – blew fuses in the house and then I found that both the freezer & fridge were not keeping cool both temperature gauges read 19 degrees very warm (replaced both the defrost sensor & thermal fuse no effect. Dawn

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Dawn

Hello Dawn: Your fault may be related to this recall as the fault can cause “sparking” which can of course trip the electrics.

If you want to pursue the inherent manufacturing fault complaint you need to take it up with who you bought it from if whirlpool have not helped. Only the person you bought it from is responsible under the sale of goods act. You have a time limit of 6 years (5 in Scotland) to bring such a claim and would probably need to go to a consumer group or the small claims court if the retailer fobs you off, which most do, most of the time.

emily 1 reply i too have this fridge and the fuse keeps blowing every month any one know where i can get it fixed

i too have this fridge and the fuse keeps blowing every month any one know where i can get it fixed

Neil Jones

Likely replying to emily

Emily, I’d suggest you give Samsung Customer Service a call if you’ve never had the FF looked at before – our fridge died over Christmas (see 2 posts above). Samsung sent out an engineer who ordered a whole new heater for it and as it was covered by the recall, it didn’t cost anything (though we did have to wait a week or so for the heater to be ordered in). If your FF has never been modded to correct the fault, it could be the cause of the constantly blowing fuses so it’s at least worth while making a note of the serial number and ringing Samsung before you pay for an independent repair.

There is a web page for the recall that I used originally which says someone will get in touch with you and tells you not to phone, but I don’t think this is monitored anymore because after a few days of hearing nothing I rang and they didn’t have any record of my contact via the web, so I’d advise you phone them rather than anything else.

Brian Dowsett 1 reply We have one of the above fridges, and contacted Samsung agents, whom have made two appointments, and failed to turn up, so the fridges surel7y cannot be that dangerous.

We have one of the above fridges, and contacted Samsung agents, whom have made two appointments, and failed to turn up, so the fridges surel7y cannot be that dangerous.

Toni

Likely replying to Brian Dowsett

Thank you Brian

I have contacted Comet who said I had to contact Samsung. I contacted Samsung (0800 9880123 line only for items at risk) and have refused their repair. They will let me know within 7 days if they will replace the item.

janet 0 replies had my RS21 repaired due to same probs as everyone else 2 years ago by samsung, now its happening again, sounds like the bloody fridge is going to explode !!! my side by side is now approx 6 years old and im wondering what my chances of them fixing their design fault again? No chance im footing the bill...where do i stand on this

had my RS21 repaired due to same probs as everyone else 2 years ago by samsung, now its happening again, sounds like the bloody fridge is going to explode !!! my side by side is now approx 6 years old and im wondering what my chances of them fixing their design fault again? No chance im footing the bill…where do i stand on this

Peter 0 replies We bought a Samsung RSH1FRBS side by side unit exactly three years ago. Basically the same as all other RSH1 units but has the 'bar door' in the fridge door. Makes it easy to just get out the milk or orange juice. Cooling stopped working in the fridge overnight, called SAmsung, man here in 1 hour, removed and replaced defunct sensor, unit, back up and working in 2 hours from callto Samsung, can't be bad. Apparently although out of warranty, Samsung have extended this to 5 years for about 6 parts that have been known to fail. Fixed free of charge. Good service from the call centre, and the engineer who called knew exactly what he was doing. No complaints. Apart from that one fault it works as decribed on the box, really nice unit. Bought from Boots on line so we even got umpteen extra Boots points.

We bought a Samsung RSH1FRBS side by side unit exactly three years ago. Basically the same as all other RSH1 units but has the ‘bar door’ in the fridge door. Makes it easy to just get out the milk or orange juice.
Cooling stopped working in the fridge overnight, called SAmsung, man here in 1 hour, removed and replaced defunct sensor, unit, back up and working in 2 hours from callto Samsung, can’t be bad.
Apparently although out of warranty, Samsung have extended this to 5 years for about 6 parts that have been known to fail. Fixed free of charge. Good service from the call centre, and the engineer who called knew exactly what he was doing.
No complaints.
Apart from that one fault it works as decribed on the box, really nice unit. Bought from Boots on line so we even got umpteen extra Boots points.