Panasonic controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2026
Panasonic recalls drum washer-dryers over fire risk
Recall announced
In October 2026 Panasonic announced a recall of certain LX series drum-type washer-dryers, covering 21 models produced between August 2021 and July 2025. The automatic detergent dispensing unit may allow detergent or fabric softener to leak from the tank connection outside the wash tub and reach internal wiring, degrading insulation and potentially causing a local short circuit, smoke or fire. About 640,000 units are affected, including 622,527 in Japan and 18,144 shipped to Taiwan, where three models are involved. Panasonic reported six smoke or fire incidents in Japan and one in Taiwan, with no injuries, and urged customers to stop using the automatic dispensing function.
On 15 October 2026 Panasonic announced that some of its drum-type washer-dryers (LX series, 21 models produced between August 2021 and July 2025) have a defect in the automatic detergent dispensing unit: detergent or fabric softener can leak from the tank connection outside the wash tub and flow onto internal wiring, degrading insulation and potentially causing a local short circuit, smoke or fire. The company will provide free inspection and repair (recall) for about 640,000 units — 622,527 in Japan and 18,144 units shipped to Taiwan, where three models (NA-LX126BL, NA-LX128BL, NA-LX128BR) are affected. Panasonic reported six smoke/fire incidents in Japan and one in Taiwan with no injuries, urged customers to stop using the automatic dispensing function, and said the Taiwan recall had been registered with the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection.
Stated objective. To prevent incidents ("為防止事故發生"); Panasonic said it is conducting the free parts replacement, inspection and recall repair under its principle of putting customer peace of mind and safety first.
Company response
Recall — Panasonic
由於旗下製造販售的滾筒式洗脫烘洗衣機存在起火風險，將針對約64萬台產品實施免費檢測與維修（召回）
Clarification — Panasonic
Panasonic呼籲持有受影響產品之顧客「停止使用洗劑自動投入功能」
Recall — Panasonic
業者已啟動召修作業，提醒消費者確認家中設備是否列入名單
Clarification — Panasonic
Panasonic呼籲受影響用戶，在完成檢修前先停止使用洗劑自動投放功能，改採手動添加洗衣精或柔軟精
Source excerpt
日本松下（Panasonic）於15日宣布，由於旗下製造販售的滾筒式洗脫烘洗衣機存在起火風險，將針對約64萬台產品實施免費檢測與維修（召回）
本召修件已向經濟部標準檢驗局通報登錄及1件事故通報，無觸犯個資法規定
日本國內已發生6起、台灣發生1起冒煙與起火事故，所幸未造成人員受傷
2021
Panasonic confirms internal network breach
Issue disclosure
Panasonic confirmed that hackers accessed its internal network. According to the company, some file-server data was accessed. The intrusion began on June 22 and ended on November 3, and unauthorized access was detected on November 11. Panasonic stated that it was investigating whether customer personal information or sensitive social-infrastructure information was involved. The company did not disclose further details about the scope of the accessed data or the identity of the intruders.
Company response
Investigation — Panasonic
in addition to conducting its own investigation, it’s “currently working with a specialist third-party organization to investigate the leak and determine if the breach involved customers’ personal information and/or sensitive information related to social infrastructure.”
Remediation — Panasonic
After detecting the unauthorized access, the company immediately reported the incident to the relevant authorities and implemented security countermeasures, including steps to prevent external access to the network,
Apology — Panasonic
Panasonic would like to express its sincerest apologies for any concern or inconvenience resulting from this incident.
Source excerpt
Panasonic said in a press release dated November 26 that its network was “illegally accessed by a third party” on November 11 and that “some data on a file server had been accessed during the intrusion.” However, when reached, Panasonic spokesperson Dannea DeLisser confirmed that the breach began on June 22 and ended on November 3 — and that the unauthorized access was first detected on November 11.
Panasonic has confirmed a data breach after hackers gained access to its internal network.
2021
Panasonic discloses unauthorized server access
Issue disclosure
In November 2021, Panasonic disclosed a data breach involving unauthorized access to a file server. According to the company, the server contained data related to technology and business partners as well as employees' personal information. Panasonic stated that it had not confirmed exactly which data may have been stolen. The disclosure described the unauthorized access and the categories of data held on the affected server, while the specific data compromised remained unconfirmed at the time of the announcement.
Panasonic described a data breach involving unauthorized access to a file server. The server contained data related to technology and business partners and employees' personal information; Panasonic had not confirmed exactly which data may have been stolen.
Company response
Investigation — Panasonic
Panasonic has ticked the standard response boxes to a data breach as well — launched an investigation, hired a third-party company to investigate the breach and has contacted relevant authorities.
Source excerpt
Panasonic has ticked the standard response boxes to a data breach as well — launched an investigation, hired a third-party company to investigate the breach and has contacted relevant authorities.
The company described the data breach in a Nov. 26 alert as unauthorized access to a file server that included some data on the server being accessed during the intrusion.
2021
Panasonic and Lazada assist Thai authorities in counterfeit battery seizure
Issue disclosure
Panasonic and Lazada collaborated with Thai authorities in an operation that seized more than 82,000 counterfeit batteries bearing Panasonic’s trademark. The article says the batteries were intended for sale on e-commerce platforms.
Source excerpt
The raid, which took place at a warehouse outside Bangkok in May, was the result of several months of close collaboration between Panasonic's brand team and Lazada's intellectual property rights protection team, who facilitated information sharing and provided evidence to the relevant Thai authorities.
Thai police have successfully dismantled a Panasonic counterfeiting ring and recovered over 82,000 fake batteries bearing Panasonic's trademark.
As batteries are often classified as consumables, they are regularly overlooked as products that can be counterfeited, despite the risk that fake batteries are highly hazardous and can cause serious damage to a variety of household appliances.
2020
JDI and Panasonic sue Tianma over LCD panel patents
Lawsuit filed
In 2020, Japan Display Inc. and Panasonic filed a lawsuit against Tianma Microelectronics in a U.S. district court. The suit concerned liquid-crystal display panel patents. The filing was reported as a patent dispute between the Japanese display makers and the Chinese panel manufacturer. The available report identifies the parties, the court type, and the subject of the patents, but does not state the specific claims, the relief sought, or the outcome of the case.
Japan Display Inc. and Panasonic sued Tianma Microelectronics in a U.S. district court over liquid-crystal display panel patents.
Source excerpt
9 月 3 日消息，据国外媒体报道，日本显示器公司 JDI(Japan Display Inc.，简称 JDI)和松下就液晶面板专利在美国地方法院起诉中国面板厂商天马微电子(深天马 A)。
2005
National kerosene heater carbon-monoxide recall
Several National kerosene heater models were recalled after failures in exhaust hoses created a risk that carbon monoxide could leak into rooms. The recall effort began in November 2005 after a fatal accident in January of that year.
2005
National oil fan-heater recall and fatal accidents
Fatal accidents were reported in connection with recalled National-branded kerosene fan heaters. The group suspended advertising across products for a period and broadcast apology messages while pursuing recall and customer-safety measures.