Wow! I have FOUR painfree Janomes all purchased within the last 7 years...new. Go back to the dealer. Something is not making sense to me. Maybe there was a bad production run. Ask the dealer!
I have to be honest, I love Janome but if I purchased another brand of machine, I would be super critical of the new brand. I just love Janome so I wont be putting this theory to the test.
sandy