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GE Washing Machines - Transmissions

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Ron of Council Bluffs IA (10/20/00):
GE cover up. Anyone who has bought a GE/HOTPOINT/RCA/ OR PROFILE WASHING MACHINE manufactured in the US between 1995 and 1997 is susceptible to failure. GE sent out an inside memo to its service techs describing this catastrophic transmision and bearing failure. They knew about this problem and did not inform the general public. Their scheme is to charge the general labor for parts they know are bad.

Diane of Rutherford NJ (1/25/02):
I purchased a GE washing machine in 5/98. In 12/2000 the transmission went. I contacted GE for the repair and I had to pay $50 some odd dollars for the service call. The transmission is under a 5 year warranty and was replaced. Now in 1/2002 the transmission has gone again after 12 1/2 months. I contacted GE at 800-432-2737 and was told I would have to pay another service call and the labor on this 5 year warranty item. I then contacted the GE consumer office at 800-386-1215 was told the same thing and asked to speak with a supervisor. I spoke with Vicky at ext 2697. She offered me a voucher of $75 towards the labor cost on this 5 year warranty item plus I would have to pay another service call of $54.00.

I stated I am not paying for this. It is 12 1/2 months old. I want a replacement washer because this one is obviously defective. She offered me 40% off a new unit. Why would I want to buy another GE product? Bottom line is this would be the 3rd. transmission that would be installed in this 3 1/2 year old machine. Something is wrong. I asked for a replacment. Today I called Vicky and left a message (1/25) and she never returned my call. I then called the 800 number again and asked for her supervisor. I am now on the list of having a case manager contact me within the next 48 hours. No one seems to understand this unit is DEFECTIVE.

The transmission has a 5 year warranty which has already been replaced twice. The original and the one I paid for. I want a replacement unit. I would like an upgrade for fear that this will happen again but I am willing to take the same model. This is basically like the Lemon Law on cars. I received a lemon washing machine. I do not feel that I should have to pay anything. My last washer was 17 years old -- a Whirlpool.

I have to go to a laundromat to wash my clothes while fighting with GE to get a replacment. I have already told them I am not going away until I receive satisfactory results. I'm not asking for a million dollars. I just want a new machine because the one I have is DEFECTIVE.

David of Centreville, Canada (1/20/01):
We bought our washing machine on June 3, 1996 and installed the same day -- General Electric Model # GJSR2080T2WW, it is a heavy duty model. Our household just had the transmission replaced on January 18, 2001, by a Camco approved technician. The part was under warranty, but the labour was $138.00 Canadian for about 45 minutes work by the technician.

The washer started to exhibit problems last fall, when we discovered water in the floor during a wash cycle. After removing the front access door of the washing machine we observed water exiting an overflow tube at the back/left of the machine. When we opened the hatch, of course it stopped rotating, it looked like it was free spinning. So we put half a clothes peg in the safety switch hole to simulate the hatch as closed. What we observed during a wash aggitation cycle was the drum accelerating into a spin. The action of the spin velocity caused the water to "crawl up" the drum by centrifical force, low and behold water started pouring out the overflow tube.

Anyway, the transmission was replaced, the technician left, but my wife discovered a "Service Bulletin" from General Electric Company, Appliance Park, Louisville, KY 40225. It was dated September, 1999. Titled "FULL SIZE WASHER, WASHER LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS HL 8/99" Here is the text of the first paragraph: "As a result of the cooperation and efforts of our field technicians, our engineering department has been able to examine hundreds or returned transmissions. This has allowed us to understand and correct the problems that causes transmission failures. The quality or the transmission that is being built now is better then ever."

It seems to me that GE Appliances was fully aware of an engineering and design problem with their washing machines' drum/transmission/braking system well before September, 1999. We did not get an advisory from GE concerning the defective transmission. We purchsed GE because a perceived quality image, but that is quickly eroding the further I investigate the issue.

Andy of Barrie, Ontario (12/2/01):
We have owned our GE Washing Machine Model #GWSR3090T6WW for about 3 years and we have constantly had problems with water leaking out the bottom of the machine. In the past 3 years we have had the transmission replaced twice and now the water problem is back. It looks like we are looking at have the transmission replaced for a third time. If GE thinks that they do not have a problem they are sadly mistaken. Do I replace the part again or do I just get rid of this piece of junk? If this is the type of support that a major company gives its consumer then I wish them luck because they will not stay in business in our competitive market for much longer. I will never again endorse one of their products nor buy another GE product. I will spend my hard-earned money on something that lasts.

Jeanne of Ann Arbor MI (9/18/01):
I am writing to report a similar problem with a GE washing machine, model WKSR2100T2. After five years, the transmission is also giving out (like others have reported on your site). This is a considerable economic loss as the cost of repairing the transmissionon the washing machine is quite expenxive.

Kim of Phoenix writes:
I have a washing machine manufactured in 1997. I am not sure of date of purchase, I lost receipt. Every time I use it, water pours out of the bottom of it and floods my kitchen. My repair man came and told me (without doing anything ) that it is the transmission. The part is $175 plus the service call and labor.

I called G.E., to find out the warranty. The transmission is warrantied for 5 years. But once again they want labor and service charge to be paid by me. I can buy a new washing machine for the cost of that. My repair man said they are having major problems with these units. First the transmission goes and next is the water pump.

He suggests buying Maytag. Which I will do.

I have water damage to my wall and pantry area where my washing machine is. I am not sure of the extent of damage to my ceramic tile, or my cupboards, seeing that my house has been flooded so many times by this washing machine. I take it as a loss and buy a new one, NOT G.E.

Kim of Mooresboro, NC, writes:
The washing machine is three years old. I was having my house checked for fire ants when I noticed a puddle of water on the ground where my washing machine sits. I checked the machine and found it is leaking. I called GE amd the person I talked to said the parts are free, but it would cost me $35.00 for someone to come out and check the machine.

I took it to a fix-it shop myself, thinking the whole bill probably would'nt cost me much more and I need my machine as soon as possible with three children and a spouse that change clothes everyday. The fix-it shop told me the transmission has also locked down.

I need a machine as soon as possible but I grant you this -- It won't be a GE machine.

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