SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Electrical shock / short

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20220331-FFCAD-3644753. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Kenmore 796.40272900 (washing machines). Incident: � The washer had never been serviced in the past. However, the consumer has to wiggle the power cord, to get a spark, in order to start the washer. Sometimes this worked, but in other instances, this needed to be done more frequently. It got worse over time and now she has to do this most times the washer is used. The consumer searched the Internet and found that there is an issue with the control board. She called the manufacturer and the brand name company, but various rep�s (names unavailable) have told her that they would have to send a technician out at her expense. Once they inspected the machine, they would repair the washer, but the consumer had to cover the cost. The consumer found a recall that was issued the firm, without cooperation of CPSC. The service technician told her that the control board just needs to be replaced to address this issue. The consumer has to hoist herself and lay across the metal machine and jiggle the cord in order to operate it. This presents a definite electric shock hazard and a fall hazard.