The 2007 Sony Bravia, the LG 86‑inch UQ, and the Samsung J5200 Series are among the worst TVs ever made. Their poor quality led to lawsuits and recalls.
When you think about it, TVs really just have one job: Showing moving pictures. How could it be possible for brands to mess up manufacturing to the point of endangering consumers or eliciting lawsuits? Well, when you take a look at the worst TVs ever made, you start to realize that there are many pitfalls that manufacturers need to avoid, even if the goal of creating a large screen seems simple.
Televisions contain delicate components that can easily malfunction if the interior engineering isn’t perfect. They are large appliances that people keep in their homes and around their families, so it’s also important to be thoughtful about safety or privacy. When manufacturers neglect these design elements, the result is a failed product — sometimes even a dangerous one. We researched historic TV recalls, lawsuits, and general user sentiment to find five of the worst TVs ever sold to end consumers.Sony Bravia KDL Series
In 2011, Sony recalled 1.6 million LCD TVs after a customer reported a small fire and smoke from the television. The issue stemmed from a faulty component that caused overheating, melting, and, of course, fire. There were a total of 11 incidents involving the recalled TVs, none of which resulted in any injuries. The reports all came from within Japan, but the recall was global in scale. Eligible consumers were able to request a free inspection and repair of the recalled units.
The recall affected Sony Bravia 40-inch TVs manufactured between 2007 and 2008. The models impacted by the recall were part of the KDL-40 series. Sony still manufactures TVs under the Bravia brand, which is very respected in the market and helps make Sony one of the best smart TV brands.LG 86-inch UQ and NanoCell Series
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported a recall of certain 86-inch LG smart TVs on January 12, 2023. The TVs in question were free-standing units that were prone to instability on the stand, causing them to tip over.
