Cleveland, OH: A defective products class action lawsuit filed against Whirlpool in 2008, over allegations that its front-loading washers accumulate mold and mildew with a smelly odor that permeates clothes in the washing machines, can proceed. The Ohio-based class action lawsuit was delayed when Whirlpool appealed the decision in 2010 to certify the complaint as a class action.
The lawsuit alleges Whirlpool knew about design defects and failed to inform customers of the problems before they bought their washers. The affected washing machine models are Whirlpool Duet, Duet HT and Duet Sport front-loading automatic washers.
The lawsuit alleges that as mold problems became "undeniable," Whirlpool began recommending that machine owners run three successive cleaning cycles with a Whirlpool tablet called Affresh. That conflicts with Whirlpool's promotion of the washers as high-efficiency, according to the lawsuit.
Jonathan Selbin, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said complaints multiplied because the company didn't adequately explain to owners of front-loading washers that they required different upkeep than top-loading machines.
"They're filled with gunk that gathers on the back wall behind the drum," said Selbin, at the New York office of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimman & Bernstein. "Their own internal documents all talk about the fact that they created a machine that's an ideal environment for mold growth."
Class members include Ohio residents who had one of these models in their households.
Whirpool Moldy Front-Loading Washing Machines Class Action Legal Help
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Everyone better check their model numbers! It looks like Whirlpool got to exclude almost all of the earlier Duet front load models from being rebate eligible. I checked on the status of my rebate only to find out my washer is not eligible even though it had the same issues as the newer models. I am gonna be hard pressed to give Whirlpool any more of my money since they want to play games with customers!
Posted by Nancy Walsh
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I own a whirlpool Duet which I have owned for years and the odor and mold is so bad I have to leave the door open it is a front loading machine.
Posted by Craig Weaver
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I have a profuse smell of mold in my Whirlpool Duet clothes washer. Is it too late to be included the lawsiut?
Posted by Dana Baker
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Is it too late for me to take part in this claim? I have exactly the same problem with my Whirlpool dishwasher but when the warranty expired I assumed there was nothing I could do.
Posted by Teresa K Pickering
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I bought a Whirlpool front losing washing washing machine & dryer. The front rubber had to be replaced after right after warranty ran out. I wish I had never bought a Whirlpool model after all the problem I have had. They are junk
Posted by jeffery alsept
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Whirlpool Front end Loading Washing Machines i got the washer in February 2012 the washer lasted two years it had a bad smelly odor
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