Samsung washers do not have one reliability verdict that applies to every model. In J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. study, Samsung ranked second for front-load washer reliability, with 84 reported problems per 100 units—just behind GE at 83. That result covers appliances bought one to three years earlier; it is not a lifetime-durability estimate. Evidence for other washer categories is less conclusive, so buyers should weigh the exact washer type and model, warranty scope, local repair options, and recall status.
How reliable are Samsung washing machines?
The clearest recent national comparison in the available evidence is favorable for Samsung front-load washers, but it does not establish that every Samsung washer is reliable—or predict how long one will last. Reliability measures answer different questions: recent owner-reported problems, first-year service calls, or a model’s predicted chance of a problem by a future point.
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Samsung front-load washers in J.D. Power’s 2025 study
Samsung ranked second among front-load washer brands, with 84 problems per 100 units (PP100); GE ranked first at 83. J.D. Power says a lower PP100 means customers reported fewer problems on average. Its inaugural U.S. Appliance Reliability & Service Study drew on 12,755 appliance reliability responses and 1,419 appliance service responses. Online interviews took place in June and July 2025, and the reliability measure covered major appliances purchased in the prior one to three years. See J.D. Power’s 2025 study announcement.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePP100 is not a percentage of machines that failed: a score of 84 means 84 reported problems per 100 units, and a unit may have more than one problem. Nor is it a repair rate, warranty-claim rate, or estimate of lifetime breakdowns. J.D. Power reports service experience separately, based on customers whose in-home technician visit was coordinated by the brand.
#1 Best Overall
What the evidence says about other Samsung washer types
Consumer Reports’ surfaced page for Samsung’s WA49B5205AW top-load agitator washer describes the model’s overall score as very good, but says there was not enough data to assign Samsung a brand-level reliability rating for the top-load agitator category. That is a limit on the available category data, not evidence that the brand performs poorly. Consumer Reports describes its predicted reliability measure on a Samsung front-load page as the chance of a problem by the end of year five, adjusted for warranty or service-contract status and usage; the accessible page excerpt did not provide a numeric Samsung score. Check current model pages directly before relying on a rating.
Why reliability ratings can disagree
Different sources count different things and cover different time periods. Treat their numbers as separate evidence, not as scores that can be ranked against one another.
Rank #2
- Exclusive Installation Bundle: Includes 3-Prong and 4-Prong Dryer Power Cords, Washer Hose Set, 8-ft Vent Duct, and 1-Year CPS Protection Plan
- Smart Wi-Fi Enabled: Control washer and dryer remotely via SmartThings app
- 4.7 cu ft capacity Washer with Active WaterJet & vibration reduction tech
- Built-in WaterJet faucet lets you pretreat stains inside the tub
- Self Clean keeps the tub fresh without harsh chemicals
| Source and measure | What it tells you | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. Power, problems per 100 units | Reported problems among major appliances purchased one to three years earlier; the 2025 study placed Samsung second for front-load washers at 84 PP100. | Not a lifetime failure or repair rate. The study’s reported service experience is a separate measure. |
| Consumer Reports, predicted reliability | A model-level estimate described as the chance of a problem by the end of year five, adjusted for usage and warranty or service-contract status. | A current numeric Samsung score was not available in the surfaced excerpts; top-load agitator data were insufficient for a brand-level rating. |
| Yale Appliance, first-year service rate | Yale calculates the rate from washers it serviced divided by washers it sold. | Its 2026 article reports 33,190 service calls across Yale’s own business and geographic footprint, not a nationally representative sample. Its surfaced brand table does not include Samsung, so it supplies no Samsung service-rate figure. |
J.D. Power’s study is the strongest accessible recent national comparison for Samsung front-load washers in this evidence set. It should not be stretched to top-load models, or treated as a forecast of ownership costs. Yale’s figures can help explain one seller’s service experience, but cannot establish Samsung’s nationwide repair performance.
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What to check before buying a Samsung washer
Compare within the same washer category
Keep front-load, top-load HE, and top-load agitator comparisons separate. A category-level result does not automatically apply to a particular model, and a model score should not be generalized to the entire brand. Look for current model-specific reliability information and note what the rating measures and how far into ownership it extends.
Rank #3
- Exclusive Installation Bundle: Includes 3-Prong and 4-Prong Dryer Power Cords, Washer Hose Set, 8-ft Vent Duct, and 1-Year CPS Protection Plan
- Smart Wi-Fi Enabled: Control washer and dryer remotely via SmartThings app
- 4.4 cu ft capacity Washer with Active & vibration reduction tech
- Easy to Use and Navigate
- Self Clean keeps the tub fresh without harsh chemicals
Check service availability where you live
Reliability is only part of ownership risk. Before purchase, check whether qualified appliance repair is available nearby, whether technicians service the model, and whether parts and appointments are accessible. A retailer’s first-year service data reflect its own sales, customers, and service network; they may not predict the experience in another region.
Read the warranty’s actual coverage
Samsung’s U.S. warranty page lists one year of standard washer and dryer coverage and ten years of coverage for the Digital Inverter motor. The motor term is not ten years of whole-machine parts and labor coverage. Promotions may be conditional and time-limited, and terms can vary by model, market, and purchase date. Review the warranty for the specific washer and confirm current terms on Samsung’s U.S. warranty page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check whether a Samsung washer was recalled
A 2022 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall covers about 663,500 Samsung top-load washers in specified model and serial-number ranges—not all Samsung washers. The affected machines could short-circuit and overheat. The agency’s December 22, 2022 notice reported 51 incidents involving smoking, melting, overheating, or fire, including 10 reports of property damage and three reports of smoke-inhalation injuries. The remedy is a software repair.
- Find the washer’s model and serial number on the labels identified in the CPSC recall notice.
- Compare both numbers with the affected models and serial ranges listed in that notice; a matching model name alone may not establish whether a unit is covered.
- If the washer is within the recall scope, follow the notice’s instructions to check whether the software update was completed. The CPSC says consumers should stop using an affected washer until it is updated.
The recall applies only to the specified units. If the model or serial number is unclear, use the contact and remedy information in the CPSC notice rather than assuming the washer is included or excluded.
Is a Samsung washer worth buying?
The available evidence supports considering a Samsung front-load washer: the brand ranked near the top of J.D. Power’s recent-problem comparison. It does not settle the reliability question for every Samsung washer, especially where category-level or current model-specific data are unavailable. Make the decision using the evidence for the exact washer type and model, the coverage in its written warranty, local repair access, and its recall status—not a single brand-wide label.
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