PlainRecalls
ModerateActive

CPSC recall · Reported December 18, 2012

LG Recalls Top-Loading Washing Machines Due to Risk of Injury

An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrou…

Recall #
13073
Affected scope
About 457,000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea recalled The recall involves three LG and three Kenmore Elite Brand top-loading washing machine mo… - a moderate-severity action.

LG Recalls Top-Loading Washing Machines Due to Risk of Injury was recalled by Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea in December 18, 2012. Reason: An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, …. Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine…. Verify recall #13073 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, ….

Moderate
severity level
December 18, 2012
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #13073 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #13073) was formally reported on December 18, 2012. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 457,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrounding area. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplemental information to be inserted into their owner's manual and a new caut… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 457,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The recall involves three LG and three Kenmore Elite Brand top-loading washing machine models manufactured between February 2010 and November 2011. The units come in beige, white and graphite steel colors. Recalled washing machines have the following model and serial number ranges: Brand Model Serial Number Range LG WT5001CW 002KW******* through 111KW******* WT5101HV WT5101HW Kenmore Elite 29002 005KW******* through 111KW******* 29272 29278 The model and serial number can be found on a label fixed on the rating plate on the top back of the washing machine.

Reason for recall

An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrounding area.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplemental information to be inserted into their owner's manual and a new caution label to be placed on the washing machine. Consumers who have observed their recalled washing machine shaking excessively should immediately stop using it. Consumers should be aware that loading their machines with water-proof or water-resistant items, such as mattress pads, mattress covers and similar items, increases the chances of loads being unbalanced.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 13073
Date reported December 18, 2012
Date initiated December 18, 2012
Recalling firm Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea
Affected scope About 457,000
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplement…

  • Check the recall number (13073) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recall involves three LG and three Kenmore Elite Brand top-loading washing machine models manufactured between February 2010 and November 2011. The units come in beige, white and graphite steel colors. Recalled washing machines have the following model and serial number ranges: Brand Model Serial Number Range LG WT5001CW 002KW******* through 111KW******* WT5101HV WT5101HW Kenmore Elite 29002 005KW******* through 111KW******* 29272 29278 The model and serial number can be found on a label fixed on the rating plate on the top back of the washing machine.. Recalled by Lg Electronics Inc., of South Korea. Units affected: About 457,000.
Why was this product recalled?
An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrounding area.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplemental information to be inserted into their owner's manual and a new caution label to be placed on the washing machine. Consumers who have observed their recalled washing machine shaking excessively should immediately stop using it. Consumers should be aware that loading their machines with water-proof or water-resistant items, such as mattress pads, mattress covers and similar items, increases the chances of loads being unbalanced.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on December 18, 2012. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 13073.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (13073) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported December 18, 2012. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.