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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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Please make a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission
Oct 23, 2008 1:07AM PDT

I did this and I feel it got MIT moving. They have now offered to replace our 52 inch WD-52725 with a new 60 inch WD-60735 with a one year warranty - I was told that the circuit boards for the 52 inch have been repaired - this has taken over 60 days of back and forth with MIT and has been very upsetting to say the least - not sure of their motive - but would rather have an 2008 set than our's from 2004 with repaired circuit boards.

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FTC Complaint
Oct 23, 2008 2:36AM PDT

Thanks for your advice! This really helps those of us with the same problem. Would you have any further advice on how you worded your complaint to the FTC, what kind of hassle MITS put you through, etc. I'm planning to start my own FTC complaint on our 2004 WD-52725. The chassis on ours failed, and from the looks of it, they don't intend do anything. We didn't get the extended warranty. Complaints have already been filed with MITS and the BBB. Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated!

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FTC Complaint - WD 52725
Oct 23, 2008 3:01AM PDT

Well this sounds all too familiar - the process started about 90 days ago for me - got an estimate of what it would take to repair the set - since no replacement parts were made for this piece of junk - which we truly have enjoyed up to that point - made my complaint to MIT with sending the estimate and the receipt of the purchase of the set in 2004. I told them directly that they knew they created an inferior product with this set and many others and that I expected them to stand behind it. I then made a formal complaint to the BBB in CA - which I don't think made much of a difference, but it is on the books and it has to be reported so it made me feel better. When you are in this type of situation in paying for such an expense item, you almost feel Raped and taken advantage of because you cannot get any help. MIT called me 9/17/08 from their call center after receiving the estimate/receipt along with my complaint. They told me that they would pay for half the expense to repair the circuit boards - total bill was $984.00 - we went back and forth - I was getting no where - I then said okay what will my warranty be on the repair - he said 6 months - I said no way and hung up on him. He had the nerve to call back and say that we got disconnected - I replied, no we did not - I hung up on you. Your offer is unacceptable - he then said okay, one year on the repair. I have no idea why they have now become so eager to help with the new replacement - the only thing I can contribute it to is the complaint I made to the FTC. Explainted that MIT knew they produced an inferior product and waited to see how many would surface before they would step in. I will keep you updated - get ready for a long debate though - and if you have to get nasty - do it!

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FTC Complaint - WD 52725
Oct 23, 2008 8:25AM PDT

Thanks, again, for your help! As you suggested, I filed a complaint with the FTC. It actually felt good to tell another government agency that they suck. Now in negotiations with the jerks at MITS, did you tell them you had filed complaints or did you let them find out themselves? I'm guessing that the complaints did help. I don't think that MITS would want the BBB or the FTC gotten really involved. Though, notice that they don't make the 52" anymore. I guess they caught on to their problem.

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FTC Complaint - WD 52725
Nov 11, 2008 7:25AM PST

Thanks for all of your input. After complaints were filed with MDEA, the BBB, and the FTC, MDEA called us back to propose that they replace our chassis for free. We balked with concerns that this problem might happen, again, and MDEA indicated that they would replace the TV if the problem re-occurred. The information is in the MDEA database now. We are in the process of trying to get them to cover the cost of having their service tech try to fix the television the first time...we're still down $300 and are still without a working TV.

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WD 52725 Lemon
Dec 26, 2008 5:55AM PST

We read some of these postings because, unfortunately, we are having similar problems. Called MDEA this morning, not expecting much. Purchased set in 8/05 and bought 3y ext warranty. Started having problems about 3w ago w/ set shutting off and green light blinking. We went ahead and had Svc Tech come out - $95. He diagnosed it as a bad chassis. He said Mit "has been covering cost of rebuild" which would normally be $300. His charge to take out bad chassis, send to Mit for rebuilding and replacing rebuilt chassis is $375 (which includes the $95 diagnosis already paid). My question is what should we expect Mit to cover based on your experiences? Have to hope that the rebuild cost is a given... but then will they cover any of the Svc costs? Obviously there are other costs not even being factored in here... cost of watching NFL playoffs on a crappy old tv? Cost of paying for HD service that we can't watch? We haven't filed complaint yet with FTC - any sense in doing that?

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RE: WD 52725 Lemon
Dec 26, 2008 7:16AM PST

Costs you should get back are the cost of the repair and service call. As for filing a complaint with the FTC I say yes as the more that do so maybe they FTC will fine them big.

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Mitsubishi WD-52825
Nov 2, 2008 12:47AM PDT

I've got a WD-52825 that i purchased for myself after i came home from Iraq, thinking i had purchased a quality product "NOT". It seems that i'm not the only one who has been having problems with the blinking green light. I'm assuming that your TV was out of warrenty and you were still able to convince MIT to replace your TV. I've already spent 2 Days of replacing capacitors and measuring voltages to no avail. Any suggestions on getting these guys to replace mine would be appreciated. I really don't want to drop another few thousand.

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MIT Replaced my set with a NEW ONE!!!!!!!
Nov 3, 2008 5:37AM PST

Well, they came through. Set was delivered 11/1/08 - 60 inch WD-60735 and the picture is WONDERFUL! They even delivered the stand - which we never even discussed. This has been going on since August 2008 and it - FINALLY PAID OFF!

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MIT Replaced my set with a NEW ONE?????
Nov 3, 2008 10:18AM PST

Wow! Good for you.
Can I ask how did it come about?
I have contacted BBB and BBB is closing the case because they couldn't get any reply from MIT. Can you please advise what I need to do to get mine replaced? I have purchased extra warranty on it, but they are not contacting me to get my TV repaired. I think they are having problems figuring out how to fix it.

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Contact the FTC
Nov 3, 2008 10:56PM PST

The BBB is worthless!!!! go online and report this to the Federal Trade Commission. It will take about 5 minutes. MIT will have to answer them! - It is well worth the time and effort.

Good Luck

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Contact the FTC
Nov 3, 2008 11:11PM PST

Could you please post the correct URL for filing a report with
the FTC.
JWARE

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Federal Trade Commission - Complaint Site
Nov 3, 2008 11:18PM PST
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FTC COMPLAINT SITE
Nov 3, 2008 11:22PM PST

Thanks, I will get right on it!

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FTC Complaint Site
Nov 3, 2008 11:43PM PST

Great - make it your passion! - I was determined - like a dog with a Bone - of course, I am German - and don't take No very well. Stay on your Soap Box - you will prevail! Please keep me updated on your outcome.

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Filed a complaint to FTC
Nov 5, 2008 3:01PM PST

Thank you for giving us the URL to FTC website. I just filed a complaint and let's see how long I have to fight this. I am sick and tired of being drag around like a ragdoll.
Thank you again.

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FTC complaint
Nov 5, 2008 11:01PM PST

I understand - this whole ordeal took about 90 days. It is almost like trying to deal with a third world country when you deal with MIT. Just keep pushing! It will pay-off in the end. Victory will be yours!

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where do i write?
Oct 23, 2008 4:09AM PDT

hey can some tell me how to get mit they wont answer the phone.where dod i write.some one please help.

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E-mail and MIT 800 #
Oct 23, 2008 6:38AM PDT

mdeaservice@mdea.com or call 1-800-332-2119 to give your complaint by phone. I will warn you - they are all young kids in a call center and you will want to scream and shout - so do it!!!!!

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Mitsubishi TV Model #WD62628
Oct 19, 2008 10:16AM PDT

I have had this tv for 3 years and every year I have had to replace the lamp which is around $200. I have never had a tv that needed to have a part replaced even once in 5 years where this more expensive tv requires this extra annual expense.

If anyone else is upset and wants to get in touch with Mitsubishi tv, please let me know.

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same problem
Nov 9, 2008 12:36PM PST

I have had the tv for 2 years and we are on our second bulb. The first one after pulling teeth we finally got the store we bought the tv from to replace it free of charge but now about a year later its going out again. We spend decent money and can't get a decent TV or what? Is there anything we can do or do we just have to suck it up and live with the yearly bulb change?

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I hate Mitsubishi!
Nov 23, 2008 7:42AM PST

I purchased myWD 62628 frim Fry's Electronics (my first mistake) on July 04,2006. I also purchased their "in-home" 5 year warranty service (my second mistake). The first bulb wnet out in Nov. 2006. Tried using the warranty service I purchased, but afeter days of waiting and endless phone calls to Fry's for service, I contacted Mitsubish directly and was able to get a replacement bulb under warranty, but only after faxing numerous documents and sending the bad bulb back first.
This bulb lasted until Nov 2008. Since I was not willing to wait again for Fry's incomeptency or the 7 day turnaround from Mitsubishi, I purchased an extra bulb to have as a immediate spare at a cost of $230.00 in July 2007.

About 2 weeks ago, I watching tv when we just lost the picture.....my set does not give me any pre warning messages as the manual inciates or any colored LEDs prewarning me of impending lamp failure. So I changed out the lamp and was good until today. My tv worked fine last night, since when I came home form the airport, my wife was watching tv. Turned off the tv, went to bed. Tried turning on the tv this morning, no picture. Had sound coming from my speakers (ceiling), PVR operating, receiver operating, tired resetting the tv several times, tried to turn tv on using the master button on the tv, and using my Harmony 880 control, but luck.
Luckily, after using my spare lamp, I surfed the internet and found this website: www.dlplampsource.com. I was able to purchase a factory lamp, not a knock off replacement, for $139.00. The catch is they do not sell the housing w/the bulb. They tell you how to change out the bulb in the housing to save yourself some $$$. The will sell you a housing for about $30 extra. They do offer 90 day warranty on projection bulbs and 1 year on other lamps.
I changed out the lamp I replaced last month with this new one from dlplampsource, but still no picture...I looked at the lamp I took out, and it looks fine.
So I decided to cal FRy's one more time and requested in home service for this piece of S**t. I'm guessing I am going to get fisted by Fry's and will have to call a repair service on my own $$$. If that happens, I will pursue litigation agaisnt Fry's for breach of contract. And I will be more than happy to join any class action litigation against Mitsubishi.

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Mitts TV
Nov 24, 2008 3:59AM PST

It is most likely not your bulb that is causing your problems. It is the chassis. The chassis are going bad in all of them they are causing crazy problems. Sometimes ours worked and then it would just shut off on its own or it would work with no sound or we would get a warning that the air flow was being blocked and the tv was going to shut down in one minute. We had the GE 5 year warranty and finally after fighting with them for 8 months they replaced the TV. We went from a 52 inch Mitts crap TV to a 61 inch Samsung TV. We are so happy with our new TV. But we had to really battle the GE Extended Warranty dept to get that replacement TV. They do have a lemon law that if you have to replace a part 3 times they have to replace the entire TV.

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I Hate Mitsubishi
Nov 24, 2008 4:22AM PST

Hey there! Thank you for the information regarding the possibility it may be the chassis casuing the problem. Earlier this morning, my wife called me at work and advised me that she was able to manually turn on our POS Mitsubishi by pusing the "on" button several times....I guess we are going to have to push our luck. I asked her to turn it off, then we will try again tonight. The timing could not be better..we have out of state relatives arrving tomorrow night and staying thru the weekend. If we had the extra $$$, I would buy a Sony or Samsung in a heartbeat! I'm guessing if it's the chassis, I'm in afor a long struggle to get it repaired/replaced, based on the other postings I've read.

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Mitsubishi DLP Television WD-57831 Class Action Lawsuit
Oct 24, 2008 11:43AM PDT

After using a Mitsubishi rear projecting for 11 years with almost no problems I purchased a new Mitsubishi high def TV model WD-57831 in Dec 2006. First it started with failures due to the heat problem in mid 2007. After lots of research and efforts Mitsubishi sent someone out to fix my problem. That took care of the heat problem but a month later the lamp went out and after some phone calls they sent a replacement lamp. Then April of this year the lamp went out again. I was really teed off and raised hell with various levels of Mitsubishi about the lamp situation. The TV was out of warranty by now and they didn't want to furnish a replacement. After I threaten to file reports with the BBB, and anyone else who would listen, Mitsubishi gave in and suppled a second lamp for a set that was less than a year and a half old. I am running on this third lamp at this time and my set will not be 2 years old until December of this year. Those lamps cost $250.00 each, and can only be purchased from Mitsubishi.
I think the heat problems and the lamp problems are problems that Mitsubishi should take care of without a big hassle for the customer. I think those DLP TV sets are a piece of junk. I would like to be a part of any law suit against Mitsubishi. The public need to be warned about the junk that is being produced by this company now days.

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Mitsu WD-52525
Oct 27, 2008 7:53AM PDT

I purchased a Mitsu DLP 52525 from Ultimate Electronics in Jan of 05. I've replaced one lamp in 3 years - I'm ok with that lifespan, but in recent months have had issues with the 'blinking green light of death'. A system reset usually resolved the issue, until 3 weeks ago when no amount of pressing that darned button would reset the system. An authorized service shop picked up the TV a week ago and I'm told it needs a complete chassis rebuild.

A firm but friendly call to MDEA, a fax of the original purchase receipt (from Ultimate)and a fax of the repair estimate to MDEA resulted in their promise to pay for the parts. That was over 50 % of the total repair estimate, including pickup and delivery and I'm OK with that. 4-6 week repair time as the chassis needs to be sent to GA to be replaced.

Mitsubishi obviously has issues with DLP TV's - I would never again buy another TV from them - my 32 inch Samsung has a great picture - and I would hope that Mitsubishi at some time, comes to their senses and recalls these crummy TV's.

Lessons learned - be fair but firm in dealing with Mitsubishi. They're initial response will be "I'm sorry, but there is nothing we can do". Keep pushing, be friendly and insist that your issue be escallated.

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DLP Lamps
Oct 28, 2008 7:50AM PDT

River Valley Electronics (do a Google search) has DLP lamps for less than $100.

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Replacement bulb
Nov 2, 2008 1:03AM PDT

When my bulb went out for the second time I looked online and found one at Frys Electronics. It was in the same town and a short while later my TV was working again so if Mits said they are the only source they are lying. Additinally, you can buy just the bulb, not the entire lamp housing for about $150. You have to take the housing apart being careful not to touch the bulb directly so it will save you some money.
What a pain!!!

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Mits Class action law suit
Oct 28, 2008 9:57PM PDT

Is this class action suit still in the works? I would be interested in persuing this further, please let me know. I have quite a mits dlp story.

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I would like more information on lawsuit
Oct 29, 2008 2:26AM PDT

We have been having "air-flow" problems approximately 3-days after purchase. Thank goodness it was under warranty, so they repaired it. The television continues to have the same issues so we keep a fan blowing on it. I love the TV but if they will replace it or repair it than I will be satisfied. Count me in.