Samsung recalls more US washing machines

US authorities have announced a recall of nearly 3 million Samsung washing machines following several reports of injuries - including a broken jaw - due to "excessive vibration".

Samsung said on Friday that its washing machine recall would also extend to models sold in Canada, although it said no injuries had been reported in that country.

The company launched an earlier, unrelated recall of washing machines in Australia in 2013, after authorities said an electrical problem in certain models was causing fires.

Australian authorities last year called that problem "a major safety failure," after receiving complaints that the company was offering repairs but not a refund or replacement, as required by Australian law.

The current recall comes after weeks of discussions between Samsung and US authorities about reports that the drums in certain top-loading washing machine models can become unbalanced and cause severe vibration, in some cases causing the top of the machine to detach from the chassis.

Samsung was hit with a lawsuit over the northern summer by lawyers representing consumers in Texas, Indiana and Georgia who say their washing machines "exploded" while being used.

In a statement on Friday , the US Consumer Product Safety Commission cited 733 reports of Samsung machines that experienced "excessive" vibration and nine related reports of injuries, including a broken jaw and an injured shoulder.

Samsung said the problem occurred when a high-speed spin cycle was used to wash bedding or other bulky items. In a statement, the company's US subsidiary said it's working with retailers and the commission to inform consumers about the problem.

In the current recall, the company is offering US consumers a choice between a free repair and a rebate toward the purchase of a new washing machine.

The recall affects 34 models of top-loading washing machines manufactured between 2011 and this year.