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General discussion

Mitsubishi DLP Television WD-57831 Class Action Lawsuit

Jul 25, 2007 11:43AM PDT

Hello,

Is anyone interested in getting in on a class action lawsuit against Mitsubishi and their (known?) defective DLP televisions? I've seen numerous posts regarding lamps, ballast boards, DLP engines, total rebuilds, poorly assembled thermistor sensors, air flow problems, useless repairmen, etc. etc.

I too am experiencing the joy of making 3 Diamond Card payments as well as HD cable programming payments all for a television that stopped working back on June 30, 2007 and has had 2, now a pending 3rd, unsucessful attempts by incompetent "authorized repair centers" to fix it. ITS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD!!! Randomly replacing parts without performing electronic troubleshooting is totally unacceptable.

Anyway, please let me know if anyone would be willing to sign some papers and get this thing going.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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57831 Lamp issues
Sep 30, 2009 4:50AM PDT

I'm sure all of us appreciate all the information in the previous post (especially me since I'm now on my 3rd lamp in 2 years time)! However, things are not as grim as they appear. My most recent issue was met with no success with the original support person. That person's supervisor/adviser called me back in the 24 hour time frame (as I was promised) from whom I received no help either. That persons supervisor called me back also within 24 hours and I was shocked at his response to my request for support (even though my set is out of warranty). His response was that the lamp has been redesigned with larger airflow holes in the screens and that he would send me this new lamp free of charge by Wednesday (which I received today...Wednesday). It was shipped via UPS 2 day service. This supervisor also promised a letter to follow the lamp giving a warranty for the next 9 months and if my lamp kicked the bucket again, Mitsubishi would replace my set!! I must add that the lamp I received today appears no different than the previous lamp (and the holes, vents and screens appear identical to the old). But, Mitsubishi supervision/advisors/higher ups are helpful and following through on their promises. For what it's worth, so far so good...though the chasis fan, lamp and entire airflow system should have been recalled (as defective) long ago.

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Mitsubishi
Oct 17, 2009 4:21AM PDT

Who was it?

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Mitsubishi policies...
Sep 29, 2009 10:08AM PDT

As a former Mitsubishi employee I spent 1 year there as a temporary employee, well 99% of consumer relations are temps. When you call in, you first get ventus which is located in Manila Phillipines. They are reading from a script and are instucted NOT to transfer the call to the U.S. unless they cannot handle the issue. When you do get the U.S. office, the consumer relations advisors are not properly trained for assisting with trouble shooting, yet reading from the instruction manual, or given answers from the technical advisor Curtis Gentry. He can be reached at 1-949-465-6146, his DIRECT line. He will not take transfers from advisors, only answer questions from advisors by asking three more questions. Please call his extension with any technical problems you may experience. In regards to chassis repairs, that is the rule, NO REPLACEMENTS, ONLY REPAIR, advisors are given no choice but to relay that information. When you ask to speak to a supervisor, there are two of them, Arjun Sheth AKA AJ, and David Ratinoff. When you customers ask to speak to them, there only job is to monitor what each advisor is doing, let me tell you it's like working in prison over there and we commonly joked about that. When a supervisor is approached with a question, they all have different answers hence the lack of training and the fact they are complete idiots. A trained Monkey can do there job, LITERALLY. All they do is look to see who is doing what from there double monitored desk. When a customer asks to speak to a supervisor, we are INSTRUCTED to say they will call back in 1-2 business days, and if the customer is irrate, which most are with the product, they say "Tell the customer we'll call them back before the end of the day." Which they have no intention on doing, and then a week will go by. Advisors have a breakdown sheet regarding what they can do to help the customer for repair, depending on the age of the unit. They will repair the unit untill repair exceeds the value of the set, but not what you paid for it, DEALERSHIP cost when there have been multiple repairs in a short period of time. After your Mitsubishi 1 yr manufactorer warranty runs out, you are referred to you extended warranty company, if you have none, they will assist and cover up to 18 months from purchase date accompanied by a receipt, if not then the day the t.v. was shipped to the dealer. Oh and for your info, Arjun Sheth AKA AJ's DIRECT number is 1-949-465-6144, David Ratinoff's DIRECT number is 1-949-465-6182. When assisting customers, they are not instructed to do what is right for the customer, but how much we can save the company including flat out denying the customer assistance right after the 1 yr factory warranty was completed. Then we have AJ and David's supervisor, Vigil White, his DIRECT number is 1-9494656142. His job is to do nothing but sit in his chair and pretend he is running the department like he was General Douglas MacArthur due to his extensive war commendations while fighting wars in Playstations 1, 2, and 3 as well as X Box. This is his first real job and has been there for about 20 years as skilled as a well trained ninja in the arts of "How not to supervise" and "How to know nothing about your product and rise the ranks", remember, we are dealing with a honorary war hero. He won't speak to ANY customer UNLESS the President of Mitsubishi has been written a letter about the customers disatisfaction of there product, and that is the BEST way to get your t.v. replaced. After that was done, he will just assign the file to some advisor who already has 100+ files to work on in his 8 hour day, THEN will hound them until the issue is resolved and he will offer no support to the advisor. It is LITERALLY the deaf leading the blind. The corporate address is 9351 Jeronimo Rd., Irvine Ca., 92618, but let me tell you the highest person to speak to is Vigil White. His boss is Glen Yamashita, his DIRECT number is 1-949-465-6141. All these phone numbers will be helpful to you, ESPECIALLY Curtis Gentry techincal advisor who is the ONLY employee in consumer relations that half way understands how to trouble shoot the t.v.'s. If you need to complain about Vigil White, I STRONGLY advise you to call Glen Yamashita, and if you want your t.v. replaced, write the president of the company Yashi Moriyama. Good luck with your issues.

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RE: Mitsubishi policies...
Sep 29, 2009 10:17AM PDT

Tell me some more about this David character as I spoke to him and he seemed like a pompous ****.

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lamps
Apr 22, 2008 9:26PM PDT

Wow your lamp lasted that long? We have gone through 2 lamps in less than a year. Our tv was under warrenty with Mitsubishi and they replaced both lamps. We did get an extended warrenty with HHGregg (where we purchased the tv from) which I am extremely grateful for.

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Mitsubishi (second reply)
May 10, 2008 10:18PM PDT

The only reason our bulb lasted just under 2 yrs is b/c we work from 6:30 to 6:30 and are very seldom home. Watched it very seldom! The last episode it had to many problems to fix so we let them take it out of the house and and purchased a different brand TV that we feel we could count on. I sit back and think that maybe they'll use it for replacement parts for another TV and that is one of the reasons so many of us are having problems. I should have let the garbage men take my $5,300 Mitsubishi away. If I were a lawyer I would jump on this case. Too many people are having these problems with the same company (MITSUBISHI)

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Mitsubishi bulb problem
May 10, 2008 1:08PM PDT

I purchased a Mitsubishi wd-65731 65" HDTV on 2/18/07. My 4th bulb just burned out tonight. That's 4 bulbs in 15 months and now I need a fifth. I'm not a happy camper. Mitsubishi replaced the original twice but I paid for the last one. The cost of these bulbs is bad enough, but the aggravation of spending this kind of money for a TV you can't rely on is just as bad. I agree with barry.timm. I think a class action lawsuit is in order. I hope there is a willing attorney out there with a Mitsubishi TV.

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Mitsubishi TV
Apr 20, 2008 3:11PM PDT

Yes purchased the WD57732 57" waiting for 2nd bulb to be installed had the first one replaced 10 months ago

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Defective WD-52725
Apr 21, 2008 7:44AM PDT

Purchased my WD-52725 in JUNE 2005 . It is on its third lamp. First sent in to shop for 6 months with blue screen of death (replaced DM-PWB = 780.00 repair). Got it back Sept 07. Sent back to shop March of 08 because now it is showing white vertical lines on all inputs and channels. Repair shop says Mitsubishi is sending faulty repair parts and now requiring the boards and chassis sent to them and Mitsubishi is giving no estimate on repair or replacement time. My 25 year old CRT mitsubishi is still running great thats why I bought that brand again. Big mistake. Count me in on any legal action.

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How do you know if its the Bulb or the Light Engine?
Apr 22, 2008 2:02AM PDT

My TV has just started acting weird on the picture quality. I see light areas on the TV. Meaning the colors are getting light looking with a metallic haze. My TV is almost 2 years old.

Have you checked out this regarding the warranties?

http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/j/i/18312/Warranties.html

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maybe light engine?
Apr 22, 2008 2:04PM PDT

i jus posted but would like to get this thing rolling. i dono if its the light engine or not but its seems im getting shadows/blooming/blotches on the screen. im still on my first lamp luckily it hasnt gone out yet. ive had it since nov. 06 - wd65831

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More Problems with my 52725
May 8, 2008 7:39AM PDT

I sit here today more than a week without TV again. We are running into 7 months of down time with this TV, at least.

I have been getting an error message which states something to the effect of: "Check Air Flow, TV will shut down in 1 minute".

So once again, for the 6 or 7th time in the past 24 months, the technician shows up. He states he is going to replace the fans in the TV, which of course doesnt work. He states that the power supply is bad (Which was just replaced in February 08)and that it needs to be sent back to Mitsubishi. He makes a comment to me that Mitsubishi has sent him an email stating there are no more Power supplies or chassis' for this, and are paying technicians who send bad ones back. I asked him to leave it and order one since my TV worked 75% of the time without incident and he said he would not be able to order one without taking this one, which I think is full of S&*%. He told me that he felt this TV may not be able to be fixed any longer, so when I call to tell Warrantech that, they call him and he says that he is not sure that it cant be fixed, and says that all I want is to replace the TV. I am so flipping mad right now. OF course I want the TV replaced, who wouldnt, especially when you have gone through 2000+ dollars in repairs, 7 months of down time, and the TV still isnt working, not to mention, I can't seem to get parts to actually fix the problem, just patch it for 2-3 months. So that's the supposed trade-off? Works for 2-3 months, down for 2-3 months, and so on and so forth? Thats total BS to me. This TV has been nothing but a problem and my repair guy freakin knows it. He also complains about having to come to my house to fix the TV so many times, yet he continues to get paid to do so. Needless to say, I will not be using this gentleman any longer after this episode.

*UPDATED PROBLEM LIST* (5/8/0Cool
Purchase 11/04
Original Lamp replaced with 1st replacement 11/05
2nd Lamp replaced with 2nd replacement on 12/28/06
3rd Lamp replaced with 3rd replacement on 3/11/07
4th Lamp replaced with 4th replacement on 4/5/07 as well as Ballast replacement
5th Lamp replaced with 5th replacement on 6/29/07 as well as 2nd Ballast replacement
Power supply board/Signal Board ordered 12/1/07, actually put in TV on January 28th, which did not work, due to faulty Mitsubishi replacement parts (According to the tech).
Repair Tech supposedly bought a replacement used TV and used PS out of it to get my TV running.
*NEW* April 30th, 2008, Technician took entire chassis to supposedly fix the Power Supply, and no time estimate given.

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Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty
May 8, 2008 8:12AM PDT

The Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty implies you to receive a new TV to equal or greater value. After something is repaired 3 times it cannot be repaired if under warranty a 4th time. It's basically a lemon law. You need to tell you're warranty place this and if they won't replace it with a brand new tv that is equal in price of what you paid for this tv or better then you can sue them. You can hire an attorney and he can get attorney fees for the case as well.

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I feel your pain
May 8, 2008 11:58AM PDT

I also have the same model that you have. The store witch I purchased the TV was out last week for My piece of Sh** TV. $45 dollars later he toild me that it isd one of the 7 fans that is not working properly or it is the thermal sensor. I had this TV for 3 long years. My wife is about to throuh it out. The tech. reset the tv and it works now. I am waiting for the airflow warning to come up or the tv to shut off again.

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YOUR PROBLEM IS THE THERMAL SENSOR
May 8, 2008 9:38PM PDT

When you receive the message "air flow is blocked, TV will turn off", then the thermal sensor needs to be replaced. Ask me how I know? Mine is now in the shop to have the DM Module repaired (bad capicitors??), I had the thermal sensor replaced about a month ago and I am also on my 3rd replacement bulb. Mitsubishi DLP TVs are apparently lemons. Inexcusable .... especially considered the price I paid for mine ($3100). Also, you may want to call Mistubishi direct (800-332-2119) and ask them to send you the latest software upgrade for your Mitsubishi model. This install apparently resolves some of the problems with these TVs (so I've been told). The software will be mailed out to you for free and apparently it is a fairly simply process to load it. Directions are included. I just ordered mine yesterday from Mitsubishi. Hope this info helps!

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my 52725 hunk of crap
May 11, 2008 12:09PM PDT

I am not sure what the problem is with my TV. I have updated the software once. It was nearly a year and a half ago, but everytime I ask, I am told there is no newer software than what I have. If it is a thermal sensor, my tech did not mention it. He said it was the power supply because he said that even with the new fans, and the TV cool, he said the fan (on top of the chassis)would not even turn on. I am assuming this is a fix that could be rather easy to fix, if it is a simple capacitor that is bad, but either way, I am still left without a TV for nearly 2 months.

I am going to contact an attorney and send another letter to Mitsubishi concerning this TV. I am assuming that my Tech sent the whole chassis back to Mitsubishi, which means I will be out of a TV for another 6-8 weeks. This means since December 1, 2007 through what I suspect will be July 1st, I will have had an operating TV (with the exception of the several times per day shutdowns due to that airflow error) for a total of 7 weeks out of 31 weeks. It is utterly ridiculous that I have had this many problems and cannot get it replaced.

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same set
Nov 7, 2008 11:19AM PST

I feel ya , same damn set....

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POS
Jun 25, 2008 1:11AM PDT

My 57 inch has just recently been displaying the the warning "TV will shut down in a few seconds, check if airflow is blocked". Ive had it for a year now, and never had any issues with anything. Ive tried moving it under a vent just so the A/C could ventilate it, but it doesnt work. Then randomly it will decide to work for a week, making me feel I did something right and then it comes back again. Now that Ive found many complaints for the same thing, Im down for whatever needs to be done, so count me in.

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Your TV
Jul 22, 2008 6:22AM PDT

I am wondering after the replacement of the thermal sensor or Chassis complete rebuild, will the lamp still get burn out that often?

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Sensor replaced
Jul 22, 2008 6:59AM PDT

My understanding from other threads is that a couple of people went through 4 lamps. This is scarry!

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model WD-Y57 (mitsubishi 57in dlp1080i)
Apr 25, 2008 6:05AM PDT

I've had my tv for 7 months and 1 new bulb and a senser now what happens after the warrenty is up? include me in the law suit!!!

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Join class action suit
Apr 27, 2008 2:33PM PDT

I bought my WDY57 Mitsubishi DLP as a floor model special back in December 22, 2006. It just blew it's 3rd bulb in 17 months. Mitsubishi warranted the first one and the third replacement blew after 5 months.
It was under a 6 month warranty, so I will be returning it tomorrow for replacement.
Please correspond to me via e-mail @ gabe.grijalva@gmail.com and let me know how I can help make Mitsubishi accountable for defective consumer products.
Thanks, Gabe

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add me to the list
May 2, 2008 12:16PM PDT

As I sit before a dark tv "error 37 lamp or ballast failure call technician"
I bought it in San Jose California.

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Mitsu WD-Y57 Burned Bulb, bad service
Jul 22, 2008 3:48AM PDT

4th bulb in 15 months. I want to be part of the class action suit. Please include me too:

mlanham@sial.com

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WD-Y57 DLP TV Owner
Jan 8, 2010 8:31AM PST

How to join in the law suit

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RE: Mitsubishi DLP Television WD-57831 Class Action Lawsuit
Apr 29, 2008 4:49AM PDT

Having same issues here with my WD-65732. TV is less than 2 years old and have been through 3 lamps. This last one only lasted 4 months. At $3000 for the TV and $250 a piece for lamps this TV has turned into the most expensive piece of crap I have ever bought. Count me in on the class action settlement!

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Add us to the list!!
Apr 29, 2008 2:28PM PDT

We purchased a WD-Y57 in mid December 2006. It has been having the air flow problem for months. Today we got the red lamp light and it looks like we'll be shelling out quite a bit for our first lamp. While it seems that ours lasted quite a while compared to others here, it still seems very poor quality to have to replace something this expensive this often.

We're very disappointed in this. I'm in Corona, CA.

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wdy57
Apr 30, 2008 2:28AM PDT

I have the same model, purchased from circuit city in Dec. 06. About
> 2 weeks out of 1 year warranty the bulb went out. I found a place
> online to get an
>
> OEM replacement for much less than from Mitsubishi. I don't remember
> exactly how much it was but at any rate the new blub was delivered and I
> replaced it exactly as instructions stated. Still no picture and a
> different light blinking on the front of the set. I contacted my
> local authorized service
>
> Company and the tech discovered the "light engine" had failed. He told me
> that was rare. He ordered a new light engine and Mitsubishi agreed to
> cover it
>
> Under warranty. Total downtime on the tv was about 6 weeks. Since
> then all has been fine. I am very very happy with the set and the quality of the
> picture. I use an HDMI connection and have used PS3 blue-ray player.
> Picture is great. I am only hoping that there are no further
> problems, but expecting
>
> The worst based on other posts to this thread. If any further issues
> surface I will contact the better business bureau and go from there.

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Sign me up
May 3, 2008 9:23AM PDT

I have a WD52725 that shuts itself down intermittantly. I called for service and the technician told me to buy a new set as he stated something else will likely break soon after repair. I paid over $2K for the set in June of 05. The set should last over 3 years! Sign me up for a class action suit. Russ

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Mits
May 3, 2008 9:44AM PDT

I take it you don't have an extended warranty. And from Mitsubishi's website you're not under the extended warranty. It sounds like its a thermal sensor problem which Mitsubishi did extend the warranty on, but not your tv. Have you called Mitsubishi?