June 11, 2026 — An incident report details premature deterioration of protective vinyl coating on LG LDF5545ST dishwasher racks, leading to rusting metal tines and rust contamination of dishes. This raises concerns about potential ingestion of iron oxide particles and consumer safety.
Product Details
Serial Number: 701KWRE8E702
Category: Dishwasher Rack Coating Defect / Rust Contamination
Incident Overview
The reported incident details a consumer’s experience with their LG LDF5545ST dishwasher, where the vinyl protective coating on both the upper and lower dish racks has significantly deteriorated and peeled away. This deterioration has left the bare metal tines exposed, which are now actively rusting. During normal wash and dry cycles, this rust residue is directly transferring onto dishes, glassware, cups, and utensils that come into contact with the racks. The consumer reports that the rack coating was specifically designed to prevent such contamination, and its premature failure has created an ongoing hazard.
The consumer initially contacted LG’s Office of the President on May 12, 2026, by both email and telephone. A case was assigned by LG. However, LG’s management reviewed the case and denied a goodwill replacement for the racks, citing that the racks are covered only for two years from the date of purchase. Following this denial, the consumer sent a formal Notice of Dispute via certified mail to LG’s headquarters at 1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. The incident report also notes that this issue is widely reported among LG dishwasher owners across multiple model lines, suggesting a potential systemic material defect rather than an isolated incident. The consumer is seeking an investigation by the CPSC and, at a minimum, for LG to provide replacement racks to affected consumers at no cost.
Safety Concerns
The primary safety concern stemming from this issue is the potential for ingesting iron oxide particles and other rust contaminants. Rust residue transferred from the deteriorating dish racks is being deposited directly onto surfaces used for eating and drinking. While generally considered to have low toxicity in small amounts, repeated or prolonged exposure to and ingestion of rust particles can pose health concerns.
The specific risks include:
- Ingestion of Contaminants: Rust particles and iron oxide residue are metallic contaminants being deposited directly onto food-contact surfaces. Consumers should not be required to inspect every dish for rust after washing.
- Lack of Assurance of Cleanliness: The presence of rust compromises the fundamental purpose of a dishwasher, which is to thoroughly clean and sanitize dishes.
- Potential for Long-Term Health Effects: While no physical injury has occurred to date, the ongoing exposure and potential ingestion of these particles raise concerns about cumulative effects, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
- Property Damage: Beyond health concerns, dishes and glassware may become stained or discolored by the rust, leading to diminished quality or irreparable damage to household items.
This situation presents a clear consumer safety concern that warrants thorough investigation to determine the extent of the problem and its potential health implications.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own an LG dishwasher, particularly model LDF5545ST or other models with similar rack designs, we recommend the following steps:
- Inspect Your Racks: Carefully examine both the upper and lower dish racks for any signs of peeling vinyl coating, exposed metal tines, or visible rust. Pay close attention to areas where dishes frequently rest.
- Document the Issue: If you find peeling or rust, take clear photographs and videos to document the extent of the damage. This evidence will be crucial if you decide to contact the manufacturer or file a report.
- Contact LG Customer Service: Reach out to LG to report the problem. Be prepared to provide your model and serial number, and share your documentation. Reference the widespread nature of this issue if applicable.
- Report to the CPSC: File a detailed incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps the CPSC track incidents and identify potential systemic issues that may warrant further action, such as a recall or safety advisory.
- Consider Alternatives: If your dishwasher racks are significantly rusted and contaminating dishes, consider hand-washing dishes or using alternative methods until the issue is resolved to avoid potential exposure to contaminants.
- Retain Records: Keep records of all communications with LG, purchase receipts, and any repair attempts.
Manufacturer’s Response
In response to the incident, LG Electronics, USA provided a general statement: “LG manufactures this dishwasher to meet or exceed all relevant standards including UL749. Our process not only rigorously tests to insure the quality of product leaving our factory, but we also carefully monitor how our products perform in use. LG takes very seriously the concerns of our customers and uses such feedback on an on-going basis to evaluate and improve our products.” LG also directed consumers to their website at http://www.lg.com/us/index.jsp or their toll-free number: 1-800-243-0000.
However, as per the consumer’s report, LG’s management specifically *denied* a goodwill replacement for the affected racks, stating that they are covered only for two years from the date of purchase. The consumer views this as an inadequate response to what appears to be a systemic manufacturing defect.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.