Exploding washing machines latest woe for Samsung

Samsung again is in crisis management mode — this time over its top-loading washing machines.

Consumer Reports on Wednesday suspended its recommended status for any Samsung top-loader that earned that designation in the watchdog organization’s washing-machine tests.

The decision came hours after the South Korean consumer electronics company revealed it was in “active discussions” with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about how to handle problems with some top-loading washing machines that could pose a safety risk. According to some complaints, the vibrations were so heavy they left the owner’s machine in pieces.

Samsung ’s washing machine woes follow an expansive recall tied to overheating and exploding batteries in some of the company’s popular Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.

In a statement, the electronics giant said the issue affects washing machines made between March 2011 and April of this year.

In rare cases, some of the affected machines could experience “abnormal vibrations” when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items. The problems could result in “personal injury or property damage.” The company recommends consumers wash these items using a “lower speed delicate cycle.”

Consumer Reports officials said neither the CPSC nor Samsung could provide model numbers of affected units.