SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20120611-59D2F-2147466744. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Matched catalog product: Samsung Flex Wash Model# WV60M990AV1A5 02. Source model text: DV448AGW/XAA. Incident: On May 1, 2012 my Samsung Gas Dryer caught on fire. (The model is DV448AGW/XAA and it was purchased on July 18, 2009.) The fire was caused due to the igniter breaking off of the causing the flames to build around the gas line. I caught the fire in time to keep it within the dryer. When I contacted Samsung about this, they immediately directed me to their Product Liability team even though the dryer is technically out of warrantee. I have had both my personal repairman and the repairman sent by Samsung claim that even if the dryer is fixed, it is unsafe to use. Both repairman said that we were lucky the dryer did not explode in our home. Neither have seen this happen before but I am concerned this could happen in other Samsung dryers. Today is May 15th and I am still fighting with Samsung to address this problem. After 14 days, they now refuse to acknowledge that the root of the problem was the igniter breaking off in the unit. (I have photos and proof of these). They claim the problem was due to lint blockage. I clean the internal lint catcher in my dryer after every load and we vacuum out the hose leading the the dryer at least every 6-8 weeks. I also had a vent specialist come into my home who also told me my vents were clean. Samsung has a very dangerous product out there and if someone doesn't address them about it, someone will get hurt. I have tried. I am just one consumer and they hope to brush me under a rug. Please help so someone doesn't get hurt!