Goodness! The reason should be found out by the manufacturer. It could happen to someone else and possible kill someone. Your insurance needs to know this too.
You don't have to have a front loader to save water. I have the new top loader that sets the water limit by weight of the load. I use to think there wasn't enough water to clean the clothes but there is no agitator. The clothes are swirled and reversed and shaken, My laundry is clean and I use less detergent. I don't have the height in my laundry room for the front loaders on the stands, cabinets are all across the wall above the washer and dryer.