MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. is offering customers who purchased one its recalled top-load washers free repairs or a rebate on the cost of a new machine.

The recall includes 255,000 Samsung and Samsung manufactured Kenmore washers.

It involves 20 models produced between March 2011 and October of this year.

Samsung said drums in affected washers may lose balance, triggering excessive vibrations, resulting in the top separating from the washer.

It said this can occur when a high-speed spin cycle is used for bedding, bulky or water-resistant items and can present an injury risk to consumers.

The company said to date there have been no reported injuries in Canada.

In the U.S., nearly three-million Samsung washing machines are being recalled. Safety officials cited 733 reports of malfunctioning, top-loading washers and nine injuries, including a broken jaw and an injured shoulder.

Details regarding repairs or rebates for affected models in Canada can be found on Samsung’s website.

– With a file from The Associated Press