January 15, 2026 – A brand-new LG electric dryer, model DLE8400WE, reportedly emitted billows of toxic smoke throughout a consumer’s home immediately upon its first use, causing respiratory distress to the family and raising serious concerns about product safety and potential fire hazards. The incident, which occurred on December 17, 2025, prompted a swift response from the retailer and led to ongoing concerns about defective devices entering the market.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The consumer purchased a new LG DLE8400WE electric dryer from Costco.com on December 10, 2025. The unit, with Serial Number 510TNVS4C023, was installed by a Costco-contracted company on December 16, 2025, without being tested post-installation.
On December 17, 2025, around 8:00 AM, the consumer used the dryer for the first time, loading it with a fitted King cotton sheet and two King-sized cotton pillowcases on “bedding mode.” Almost immediately after starting the cycle, the dryer began producing white billows of smoke from inside the unit, rapidly filling the home and causing multiple smoke alarms to activate. The family, including the consumer, inhaled the toxic smoke, experiencing burning in their eyes, lungs, and throats. The consumer promptly shut off the machine and ventilated the laundry room.
The incident resulted in toxic smoke contaminating not only the family’s lungs but also their linen, a brand-new washer, air purifiers, the entire house, and the HVAC system.
The following day, December 18, 2025, Costco’s installation logistics team inspected the unit. They confirmed that the installation was completed correctly but detected a “burning odor…coming from the back panel of the unit,” according to an email receipt provided to the consumer. Despite the unit being removed on December 22, 2025, the smoke smell persisted throughout the home a week after the incident.
The consumer reported the incident out of concern for their family’s health and safety, fearing a potential house fire and believing Costco may be failing to report a clearly defective device to protect the public. Requests for details regarding the planned LG inspection of the dryer at a Costco warehouse were met with uncertainty by the claims adjuster, who suggested homeowners insurance might be able to obtain such requests.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several severe safety concerns associated with a product malfunction:
- Immediate Dangers: The emission of toxic white smoke directly endangered the occupants of the home. Inhalation of smoke can cause immediate respiratory distress, eye irritation, and throat burning, as experienced by the family. Depending on the chemical composition of the smoke, it could lead to acute poisoning or severe allergic reactions.
- Fire Hazard: The immediate production of smoke and a burning odor from the unit’s back panel strongly suggests an internal electrical or component failure that could lead to a catastrophic fire. Such a malfunction on first use indicates a critical defect, posing a significant risk to property and life.
- Long-Term Health Risks: Exposure to toxic smoke can have lasting health impacts, especially on the respiratory system. Continued exposure, even to residual odors, can exacerbate existing conditions or contribute to new respiratory problems. The contamination of the home’s HVAC system means toxic particulates could be recirculated, prolonging exposure.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond the immediate smoke damage to linens, air purifiers, and the new washer, the entire house and HVAC system suffered contamination, requiring professional remediation. The primary risk remains a house fire, which could lead to total loss of property and, tragically, loss of life.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone in the vicinity of the malfunctioning dryer is at risk, including family members, guests, and pets. Given that dryers are commonly located in residential areas like laundry rooms, the risk of widespread smoke inhalation and fire is substantial.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own an LG DLE8400WE dryer or experience similar issues with any appliance:
- Immediate Steps in Case of Smoke/Fire:
* Prioritize Safety: If a dryer begins smoking or shows signs of fire, immediately press the power button to turn it off. If safe to do so, unplug the unit from the wall outlet.
* Evacuate: Get everyone, including pets, out of the house immediately.
* Call Emergency Services: Once safe, call 911 (or your local emergency number) to report the incident, even if the smoke dissipates quickly, as hidden damage or smoldering could still exist.
* Ventilate: Only after ensuring safety and if the smoke has stopped, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors to clear the air.
- Check Your Product:
* Verify if you own an LG DLE8400WE dryer by checking the model number on the appliance’s label, typically found inside the door frame or on the back panel.
* Note your unit’s serial number for reference.
- Prevention Measures (General Dryer Safety):
* Professional Installation: Always ensure new appliances are installed by certified professionals. While in this incident the installation was deemed correct, proper installation is crucial.
* Initial Test Run (Cautiously): If possible, run a new dryer with a small load (or no load) for a short cycle while remaining present and vigilant, especially during the first few uses.
* Regular Maintenance: Clean the lint filter after every load. Periodically inspect and clean the dryer vent system to prevent lint buildup, a common cause of dryer fires.
* Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Adhere to all guidelines regarding load sizes, cycle types, and care.
- Reporting Procedures:
* Report to Manufacturer: Contact LG Electronics directly to report any malfunctions or safety concerns.
* Report to Retailer: Inform Costco.com or the place of purchase about the incident and your concerns.
* Report to CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Your report helps identify hazardous products and contributes to public safety.
Manufacturer’s Response
LG Electronics, USA provided the following statement dated January 2, 2026: “LG manufactures this electric dryer to meet or exceed all relevant standards including UL2158. 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. Consumers desiring more information about their electric dryers should either visit our web site at http://www.lg.com/us/index.jsp or call our toll free number: 1-800-243-0000.”
It is important to note that this response is a general statement about LG’s manufacturing standards and commitment to quality, and does not specifically address the details or findings related to the DLE8400WE incident reported on December 17, 2025.
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.
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.