Samsung is facing legal and regulatory action for a fault in its washing machines that has allegedly caused some models to "explode", making them the company's second product in a month to be condemned by safety watchdogs.

The company is in discussion with a US regulator about safety problems affecting "top-load" washing machines, which open at the top rather than the front, produced in the last five years.

After a lawsuit was filed claiming that Samsung washing machines had exploded, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that the problem could be widespread.

In response, Samsung said: "In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items."