Samsung Refrigerator Reviews: Door Handle Problems!!! (model RGS257)

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In all of the Samsung refrigerator reviews I've read no one really explained how bad the door handle problems are!!

We bought our Samsung refrigerator model RGS257 from Lowes.

Once the installers left in quite a hurry, I opened the doors and both handles fell off!!

After calling Samsung, I learned that this was a known defect, and was promised new handles in "5-10 working days". Three weeks later, I called and was informed that I would have to talk to the "executive" customer support, and that they would call back within 24 hours. Didn't happen.

I called again and was informed that this would have to go to the parts department. I was also told that once the part was shipped, I would get it in "7 to 14 days".

BTW: The "executive" customer support appears to be the same as the (essentially useless) regular support. Apparently there is also no option to speak to a supervisor because there are no supervisors.

I have contacted Lowes and they readily agreed to switch out the unit in a day or two.

This is certainly the last time I'll buy from Samsung, but I'm quite happy with the way Lowes has stepped up.


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Comments for Samsung Refrigerator Reviews: Door Handle Problems!!! (model RGS257)

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Apr 18, 2022
 Nix to Samsun appliances NEW
by: Anonymous

Never again will I purchase A Samsung appliance. First my microwave handle broke off after 2 years. The store referred me to Samsung. No help whatsoever. They deemed it wear and tear. Now a couple of years later the same problem with the freezer door. Simply put, Samsung products are a POS.
Mar 11, 2020
 Chipping white door handles: Why NEW
by: W. Jackson

We had the same issue with the WHITE paint on the door handles as many others here. And just like them, Samsung wouldn't replace the handles. Commercially available replacement handles cost $108 for the pair.

I took out handles to a local shop where they proceeded to show/explain to me that the handles were made in brushed metal finish. That most likely, because there is a low demand for WHITE these days, some brushed metal handles were given to a third party by Samsung to be made WHITE, and that they had simply spray painted them (without prep or treatment).

They stripped both handles, matched the WHITE color exactly, and powder coated them. Now they WILL NOT chip and it was done for a VERY reasonable price.
Feb 29, 2020
 Never buy Samsung NEW
by: Anonymous

We've had all the same problems as the ones listed below. Door handles with paint falling off, water freezes under crisper drawers, water in crisper drawers. Items in the freezer with ice on them. Who needs to step in and issue a class action suit? We will never buy another Samsung product, ever. Nothing.
Jun 08, 2019
 Water in Crisper Drawers and Peeling Handles NEW
by: Anonymous

Drainage tube closed with their packing styrofoam. My white handles started peeling and feeling sticky in 4 years. My freezer had issues frosting everything over. My crisper drawers are full of water an ice because of a faulty clip in the back panel. Samsung will not repair anything. This has been a nightmare since the purchase in 2012 (after a replacement in 2011 for a bad one). One issue after another. I wish I knew what to do to get Samsung to fix ANYTHING on this piece of junk I have now paid well over $1,100 to purchase and repair and am living with 1/3 not even usable at the moment. DO NOT BUY SAMSUNG APPLIANCES!!!
Apr 08, 2019
 Pai nt peeling solution: powder-coating NEW
by: Anonymous

After two sets of replacement handles due to the paint orange-peeling, the serviceman had them stripped and powder-coated at a local shop (about six years ago). Worked great. They now have a solid, smooth, dependable surface. The white is not a perfect color match but nobody would notice unless you pointed it out to them. Best thing we did when we bought the fridge was to take out an extended warranty! Unsolvable problems include bad condensation with ice build up under the crispers; and periodic annoying buzzing sound. Two thumbs down on this Samsung unit model RF197ACWP.
Nov 13, 2018
 Peeling paint problems NEW
by: Lee

Paint started chipping on our refrigerator handles within a year of purchase. I thought it might be a fluke but the handles now look so terrible I'm going to have to replace. WTH? I don't remember my parents' refrigerators ever having problems like this. This is not to mention the poor design of the interior shelves, the difficulty cleaning, the plastic wrapping still in the seams of the exterior of the fridge that I pick at and pick at but that I'll never be able to fully remove. Never buying from Samsung again.
Sep 12, 2018
 Paint Peeling on Handles NEW
by: Edward Spalding

I have the same paint peeling. Is there anything we can do like a class action suit or a petition electronically signed by all that are having problems. Are there any lawyers out there reading this who could give us some guidance. Samsung surely wont. Thanks.
Jan 22, 2018
 Left door will not stay on NEW
by: Trish

As soon as my as the delivery guys left, my door handle fell off when I tried to open it. I tighten the screws that hold it on but it won't stay. It has fallen in the floor quite a few times and I worry it will get damaged while still brand new.
Samsung, please do the right thing and fix peoples
fridges.
Dec 30, 2017
 Handle and water problem NEW
by: Ebby

I have the same problem as Anonymous from May 29. The paint peeled off the door handles and appliance store said I used too strong a cleaner (used Lysol spray). Water collects under crisper drawer and water collects in drawer.Refrigerator is counter-depth model and 3 years old.
Sep 26, 2017
 lousy refrigerator.
by: Anonymous

bot a samsung refrigerator. BIG MISTAKE. THE HANDLES ARE PEELING AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. WHY HASN"T THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU STEPPED IN AND MADE THEM STEP UP AND MAKE GOOD??THEY KNEW THEY WERE SELLING A PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.NEVER, EVER WILL I BUY ANYTHING BY SAMSUNG!!!!
Aug 11, 2017
 French Door Handle on Freezer comes off
by: Anonymous

I had this problem after owning the refrig for 7 months. I called Samsung CS and was routed to the Phillipines where they were very happy to say it was NOT covered under warranty. They are rude, don't listen and have a third world view of customer service.

The only option was for them to send me new screws for the handle. This took about 3 weeks and when I got them, they did not help!. The handle will not lock on the screws. So.... now I used the sides of the refrigerator to open the freezer and just let the handle rest on the screws. If I forget and accidentally pull the handle (even gently), it comes right off. What a horrible product. I say we all boycott SAmsung forever - they are making fools out of their American customers. Between this and the phones catching fire, their products should be banned from this country. I will buy American again - hopefully, not made in China product.
Jul 29, 2017
 Paint peeling off handles of refrigerator
by: Anonymous

Mine too! Paint chipping off. Now ice maker stopped working. 2 year old french door model. I won't buy another Samsung either.
Jun 26, 2017
 Handles come off the refrigerator and microwave oven
by: Anonymous

I have exactly the same issues as the Anonimus May 29 2017 review. I have the same handle coming off issue on the microwave after 3 years of use. I would not pay $10 for any Samsung appliance! The water freezing under the crisper is a pain. My ice maker stopped working 2 years ago too.
May 29, 2017
 the handle's not the only thing
by: Anonymous

Paint started to peel on our Samsung counter-depth French-door refrigerator within a year of purchase. At about five years old, the next problem was water accumulating and freezing under the crisper drawers. Now, at six years, the spring that retracts the flap on one of the doors has broken so we have to manually align the flap in order for the door to close. There aren't a lot of counter-depth models on the market but I will never buy another Samsung.
May 07, 2017
 Freezer Door Handle Fell Off
by: Anonymous

RF217 model here and the freezer handle just fell off. Disappointed to see so many others having similar problems. The parts do not appear to be assembled with common tools so it appears I'll be investing in a repair service. Not happy with my Samsung today ... frankly, I never really loved it to begin with, so I will not be buying Samsung for my next home.
Apr 27, 2017
 DON'T BUY A SAMSUNG
by: Te

I bought the Samsung Refrigerator with the soda stream over a 3000 dollar unit,well after 3 months the handle on the flex area door broke and when I called Samsung said it was not covered under warranty and that I would have to pay for the entire door price of 600 dollars.They are trash dont buy them
Apr 16, 2017
 All Door Handles cracked
by: Anonymous

All the door handles of my 4 door refrigerator is cracked and chipped without even my knowledge.
Aug 02, 2016
 Will never buy Samsung home appliances again.
by: Kateryna

Will never buy Samsung appliance again! Fridge handle is broken now just after two years of use. Another expensive repair on the fridge needed just after the warranty of 12 months expired. The part cost 170$ plus the labor.
Dishwasher breaks every month gives E9 mistake. Cleaning that part constantly cost money. Samsung microwave has also broken handle. Dreaming to get rid of all 5 Samsung appliances in the house.
Jun 20, 2016
 rust
by: Anonymous

after one yr give or take our side by side model rs264a had started to rust under water dispenser and bottom of door ...... really
May 24, 2016
 Samsung RF26xaers handle issue
by: Murty

I bought Samsung refrigerator from lowes. The freezer drawer easy handle came out and contacted lowes and Samsung no help. Not sure how to fix this issue
Apr 01, 2016
 samsung handles
by: Keith Fowee

I am dealing with samsung handle issues too
Mar 24, 2016
 Broker Refrigerator Handle
by: Brown

I bought a Samsung Refrigerator for $3000 and after three months the handle fell off. I tried calling the customer service and spent almost an hour taking pictures, sending emails and no one ever respond. I called and was given a royal run around, someone finally tells me its physical damage even though I have a year parts and labor. I offered to pay for a technician, now the they are saying the entire door has to be replaced. Samsung product is very poor and will never buy again.
Mar 22, 2016
 RFG299ABRS/XAA Broken Freezer Handle
by: Anonymous

UNBELIEVABLE a freezer handle from a $3000 refrigerator brakes after 4 years!! My mother had a 30 year old refrig. that was only serviced once in its lifetime. Boy did we get suckered by the looks. Buyer beware of Samsung.
Feb 04, 2016
 Samsung door handle
by: Brian Giszewski

Have had this fridge that I spent $3000 has been nothing but problems first handle fell off after only 7 months the display for ice and water went out after 8 months. I have never had a problem with my old Amana fridge that was 10 years old and this fridge is the biggest mistake I have ever made. DO NOT BUY
Nov 23, 2015
 Model #RF 217 ACWP
by: Anonymous

model is 2 years old. paint is peeling from the handle. Samsung Services seems delighted to tell me there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. I am now searching for a stove. needless to say i absolutely eliminated any samsung models. Not so much for their cheap products but for their practice to continue to sell defective products and their horrible customer service. A company that cared about their customers would have manufactured extra handles to provide to customers. instead they delight in telling us nothing you can do. this is a one person household so it is not like refrigerator gets lots of use. piece of junk.
Nov 04, 2015
 7 months old... Handle breaks no warranty
by: Nothappy😤😤😤😤

We spent over $3000 for this Samsung refrigerator to be told the warranty will it cover a broken freezer handle. The unit is only 7 months old! It's simply an engineering problem! How do we file a class action??? Don't Buy Samsung!!!!!!!!!
Feb 18, 2015
 no business for Samsung
by: tom carr

4 years. Old Samsung frech door 1st ice maker, 2nd froze up 3rd ice maker 4th freezer handle broke off .they say not defective but go online and to box store they will say yes never said before paid money now they agree. Yet Samsung says no when I paid a rear man 2nd time on ice maker I had warranty company do it they said it was covered by warranty with Samsung so they did get stuck with parts....lies now got piece for fixing door handle with no instructions. .I just bought 4k 65 inches tall did I'd I buy Samsung. No no I did not
Dec 29, 2014
 Handles peeling paint
by: Anonymous

Still having problems with my handles peeling paint. This time on the replacement handles. Has anyone found a solution for this?
Jun 01, 2014
 Samsung Freeze Hadle Broke 2x's
by: Anonymous

I have a Samsung Model # RFG298AARS The handle bracket broke after I had it for approx. 1.5 yrs Now is is broke again about 1 year later. I have not been able to find an appliance repair company that will even work on them.. REST ASSURED I WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER SAMSUNG. This Refrigerator was not cheap.
Jul 17, 2013
 Samsung French door handles
by: Anonymous

The "skin" on the handles of my 1 1/2 year old French door refrigerator has begun to peel off. When I called for assistance I was told this is a "cosmetic" problem and Samsung is not liable. I buy one refrigerator a year to put in apartments I renovate. I will not buy another Samsung product for any of my projects, and recommend every potential buyer beware!
Sep 10, 2012
 Samsung Products
by: Anonymous

We will not purchase another Samsung product of any kind. We have problems with our door handles as well as with as with a TV we purchased. Customer service is non existent. They need to be held accountable for their products.
Oct 26, 2011
 Jenn Air Refridgerator door handle falling off
by: Anonymous

I am in the midst of trying to solve a problem which I have never seen before - the door handle to my Jenn Air refridgerator is falling off...NEVER had heard of this happening.

The technician (outsourced) told me I needed a new door handle. Now he tells me I might need a whole new door!

This is nuts as the problem is a manufacturer problem not mine. Has anybody had similar issues?
Jul 07, 2011
 Samsung has Poor Design..Useless Customer service
by: Anonymous

I am dealing with handles that fell off my Samsung refrigerator.

The customer service provided by Samsung is useless. I bought the thing at Lowes but Sears is helping me.

Click here for more on Samsung Refrigerators
May 20, 2011
 More Door Handle Problems
by: M. Aizawa

I too am dealing with Samsung - the same model refrigerator/freezer where both of the handles fall off about every other time we try to open one of the doors.

There is a supervisor on the floor (one of several I believe) - Melissa - in Greenville, South Carolina. I also spoke to her. Her only response is that the handles on our refrigerator are defective, she is sorry and will send new ones to us to replace them ourselves.

My suspicion is that the plastic parts screwed into the doors that the handles are supposed to slide onto (downwards) and lock into place are also defective.

Actually, we don't want to take the responsibility to replace these ourselves since we next could be accused of stripping a screw where the plastic pieces are screwed into the stainless steel door.

The unit comes with a one year parts and labor warranty but Samsung support says that the warranty doesn't cover labor for this item.

Another thing, if you ever need to reset the big refrigerator/freezer because of any malfunction with the front door panel, you either have to somehow move the extremely bulky, heavy unit forward (I'm physically strong, but am unable to do this at all) and then unplug the unit.

If you can't do that (even harder if the handles fall off, too) then their product support tells you to turn off the circuit breaker for 10 seconds...and then have to reset the stove clocks, the microwave clock, etc. This company is so cheap, they can't even add an inexpensive, easy to access reset button.

Bad design. Bad support. Bad attitude towards American consumers. I will never purchase a Samsung product again.

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