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John of Floyds Knobs IN (07/25/08)
Bought this JUNK Kitchenaid dishwasher new in 2001 and hated it from day one until this past weekend. Finally it did the one great thing I have been waiting for, it stopped working totally. I say this was a great thing as I finally got my wife to say yes to me replacing it and this time with a Bosch. This has been 6 years of hell as it never got the dishes clean. We like everyone else tried everything and the company was no help. Kitchenaid will never get another dime of my money. The Bosch was far less money than the Kitchenaid and cleans great. I would love to see Kitchenaid get their due.
If my time counts then I would guess I had 15~20 hours of labor trying to get it to clean.
Robert of Rochester Hills MI (07/23/08)
We own a Kitchen Aid dishwasher Model# KUDS01FLSS1 We've had nothing but problems with it ranging from replacing the heater, leaking, and poor cleaning performance. Now the cheap plastic and nylon door spring and actuator has broken causing the door to fall and allow the corner of the door to leave a nasty slash on my son's leg.
After doing some research I found this has happened over and over to other people. I'm going to call Kitchen Aid and find out if they plan on addressing this problem. My son and I have both been hurt by the falling door. I believe it is a true safety hazard.
Brenda of Madison NJ (07/22/08)
I moved into a brand new house that had a Kitchen Aid d/w AND a FisherPaykel dish drawer in April of 2006. The Kitchen Aid is top of the line, etc. It has NEVER cleaned the dishes properly. I had the service people out 7 or 8 times. First, I used too much soap, then I used too much Rinse Aid, then I used too little soap, then the water wasn't hot enough.... etc. The FisherPaykel, which is a notoriously temperamental d/w (I had one in my old house) works FINE. It cleans the dishes no problem.
One repairman said that my Kitchen Aid was missing a part, and that he would try and get me a new d/w, since the part could not be replaced.... he has since left the repair company, and the next guy that came said the water wasn't hot enough, then made a FAKE call to KitchenAid (I used redial to follow all the prompts he used and ended up nowhere).
I was so angry, he ran out of the house and they won't send anyone to my house again. I, too, am about to burn the d/w on YouTube. I have called Kitchen Aid on multiple occasions, and they will do nothing. I will never, ever buy another Kitchen Aid appliance again. And, now I have to go buy a new dishwasher.
Lyn of Lackawanna NY (07/20/08)
Purchased a Kitchenaid dishwasher model KUDMO1FK in September 2001. Has never cleaned well, glasses are filmy, crud on dishes. Clean filter (which is hard to reach) every month. Still does not clean. Door gasket would leak, etcetera. Not what I expected from Kitchenaid. I have one of their mixers that is 20 years old and gets a lot of heavy use with no problems.
Two days ago, heard a loud pop, the door flew open and crashed on my foot. Apparently, this is a common issue. Hurt like the dickens. Am going to file a complaint with the State Attorney Generals office. Doubt it will do anything but I will feel better. Am looking for a new dishwasher this week.
Steve of Kingsville OTHER (07/16/08)
We have had multiple issues with our Kitchen Aid Dishwasher and Microwave. The door springs/ropes have broken twice on each. The dishwasher now leaves food on the dishes and apparently we need to clean out a filter as all of the other underlying items they have checked are not the problem. Problem is you cannot get to the filter easily.
Even the Microwave needs a service call to change the light bulb! We've complained but it falls on deaf ears. Kitchen Aid referred us back to Sears where apparently they have a contract to handle all service issues on products Sears sells...and when pressed for someone higher up to complain to...they run you around in circles until you are frustrated. We had a (cheap) Kenmore dishwasher for years with NO issues ever. I agree with another post: I would expect a major company to design a door system that can last at least 3 years.
Multiple repair bills...we're probably up to almost $1000 to date on these 2 appliances...over less than 4 years.
Corinne of Hollis NH (07/10/08)
I opened my KitchenAid Dishwasher (model KUDP01FLSS3) door yesterday and heard a loud crack as the door came crashing down. Having read prior entries, this seems to be a pattern with these models. I called the repair shop and it's true that they use the same type of nylon cord to fix it. I also called KitchenAid and they have not heard of this problem before, but I was advised to write a letter of complaint to KitchenAid, Benton Harbor, MI so that they can track these issues. I was not offered any compensation for the repair.
estimated $150 repair bill
Michelle of San Diego CA (07/05/08)
We bought a KitchenAid dishwasher KUDI02IR from Lowes in February of 2007. It was serviced 10 months later for poor performance. Now at just 18 months, I am ready to throw it out. The top rack does not get clean at all; the dishes are not clean, I am pre-washing everything; the glasses are becoming covered in residue.
Yesterday I just re-washed everything by hand it was so awful. You need special wrenches to open the filter to clean it, forcing you to call a repair service. My mother had a KitchenAid for 20 years, and we could easily remove the filter for cleaning. This one never cleans the dishes. Our Whirlpool Gold lasted 5 years, and I thought I was upgrading to KitchenAid, but this is just a piece of junk.
Susan of Spring TX (06/26/08)
2 year old Kitchen Aid dishwasher - paid $1200 Stopped working suddenly. Service person came out and decided it was the Wiring Harness which is on a NATIONAL BACKORDER for at least a month. I have a family of 5, the kids home for the summer, 4th of July celebration planned and I am told that there is nothing they can do. I am totally disgusted with the appliance, the customer service
Total emotional distress
W.d. of Valencia CA (06/11/08)
We bought a KitchenAid KUDPO1ILBS3 stainless steel dishwasher for $900 from Sears on 5-26-04. My father had worked in the restaurant business for many years and always had good things to say about Hobart. My Mother had a Kitchenaid mixer that lasted about 35 years and I bought her another one to replace it. I had always thought of Kitchenaid as top appliance brand. From day one this unit failed to wash dishes properly. Regardless of the cycle used all the dishes require extensive handwashing prior to being inserted in the machine. There was often a gritty texture dried on the dishes that I had to soak in a sink of water to remove. I use the recommended JetDry and I have tried a variety of dry dishwasher detergents and cycle combinations but the results are the same. I have tested the hot water temp and it is at the recommended level.
This dishwasher just doesn't wash your dishes clean! After less than a year, the little spring that puts the tension on the door latch lever broke. It didn't seem to affect the latching of the door itself, so no repair was done. As with so many once great American brands, the brand has been compromised and diluted leaving the field to superior imported brands.
This Kitchenaid dishwasher has been the most unsatisfactory appliance purchase of my life. I would give anything to have my old GE back and $900 in my pocket.
Maria of Chagrin Falls, OH (06/10/08)
We bought a Superba Kitchenaid SS Dishwasher in 2005 and have has 3 expensive service calls on it: soap holder not opening, door gasket hanging, 4 months of leaking and warping our 200 year old reclaimed hardwood floors, control panel deteriorating (I guess it's not meant to be exposed to water and greasy hands-go figure.) And tonight it died.
I wrote a letter a few years to the President of Whirlpool regarding the complete deterioration of a once great company Kitchenaid--I remember my aunt owned one for 25 years and it ran like a horse. It's a new game today--shoddy machines that require parts and labor for the built in obsolesence! I did get a call after that letter and got a service guy in but it's been a nightmare.
Robert of Ny NY (06/09/08)
door does not close, door spring broke, and does not wash properly
Edward of Elwood IL (06/09/08)
We purchased a Kitchen-aid dishwasher model #KUDI01DLBT0 five and a half years ago from Sears and have had the upper shelf replaced, the door seals replaced, the electronic control panel replaced twice and now are told that the motor bearings are wearing out and it would cost $470.63 to repair it. Needless to say, this is only six months after the warranty expired. We paid the $75 the service man charged and will not buy a Kitchen-aid again.
Eric of Gilbert AZ (06/06/08)
I own a 3 year old high end Kitchen Aid Stainless Steel dishwasher. Model KUDS01FLSS2. As a previous owner experienced the door to the dishwasher came crashing down and the handle actually smashed my toe. It sounded similar to others. Cheap or poorly designed mechanism to counter balance the weight of the door.
A week earlier the spring broke on my high end Kitchen Aid Stainless Steel Microwave broke and that door now slams open. Only 3 years old too. Model Number KBHC140HSS0. I'm not happy with Kitchen Aid. Never again. I'm a mechanical engineer and I would expect a large manufacturer to be able to produce a simple door that works for more than 3 years.
Slightly smashed toe and a bunch of aggravation.
Eric of Gilbert AZ (06/06/08)
I own a 3 year old high end Kitchen Aid Stainless Steel dishwasher. Model KUDS01FLSS2. As a previous owner experienced the door to the dishwasher came crashing down and the handle actually smashed my toe. It sounded similar to others. Cheap or poorly designed mechanism to counter balance the weight of the door.
A week earlier the spring broke on my high end Kitchen Aid Stainless Steel Microwave broke and that door now slams open. Only 3 years old too. Model Number KBHC140HSS0. I'm not happy with Kitchen Aid. Never again. I'm a mechanical engineer and I would expect a large manufacturer to be able to produce a simple door that works for more than 3 years.
Slightly smashed toe and a bunch of aggravation.
Karen of Newark OH (06/04/08)
A couple of months ago, I began experiencing problems with my dishwasher. I tried all the 'remedies' listed in the user's manual to no avail. Then, the unit started making a growling noise during operation. Sometimes, it is VERY, VERY LOUD, and other times it is not as noisy. I called about getting service to only be quoted a $65 minimum service call to troubleshoot the problem; then all parts needed (if motor needs replaced, etc.) could run as high as $400. plus labor. I am not an idiot and just can't justify spending that kind of money on a 5 and 1/2 year old dishwasher.
What really bothers me...I asked the Customer Service gal if they had had any kind of repair history, reports from other consumers, etc. on this particular model and she advised 'NO!' Well, I had already been reading the disappointed flurry of customers who own these real 'gems'.
I had always been sold on KitchenAid appliances. My first dishwasher worked well without problems for 22 years! That's probably not a record, but that is the reason I went back to purchase a replacement Kitchenaid in 2002. While paying $4. a gallon for gas, I can't afford to squander hundreds or even a thousand on a dishwasher that isn't built to last!
Uk of Cedar Park TX (05/20/08)
I have had my KitchenAid dishwasher for 5 years and have experienced every single one of the problems listed! It has NEVER cleaned well, leaves a film no matter what I try, takes several hours to go through the Normal cycle and NOW the latest is that the cheapie nylon cord that holds the VERY heavy door on broke.
When the door came flying open, it practically ripped my finger off!
Jeanine of Santa Rosa Beach, FL (05/19/08)
Purchased Kitchenaid Dishwasher in 2005. I have had motor replaced, the panel has gone out twice, the fuse has been replaced and I am now waiting for the Kitchenaid repairman to arrive. The last time the panel went dead, the Kitchenaid repairman told me that they the fuse tends to go bad. Next time just order one directly and I can replace it without having to call a repairman.
Ok, this time the fuse went bad I also smelled an electrical smell. How scary, since I have three little ones. The repairman is here and telling me he does not have the ability to replace my dishwasher. OK, so now I will have to file a complaint with CSPC just as I did with my Kitchenaid Stove that WOULD NOT turn off. Thank God CSPC made Kitchenaid replace my stove with a new model.
Martin of San Anselmo CA (05/15/08)
On Friday, May 9th, 2008 my wife had just started the washer and then the fireworks started, literally, with sparks, flames and smoke pouring out of the top vent. The control board had melted and the hot lead came off the power switch, welded itself to the inside stainless steel tub and burned a 3mm hole in it. Has anyone else had an issue with this particular model? I see other references to KitchenAid dishwasher fires on the web but no mention of model numbers. Customer service has offered me a new washer for $319 delivered and installed. Yes, my machine is six years old, replacing a 20+ year old KitchenAid, and it is long out of warranty. My wife and I are adamant. We're not putting out any money. This is a safety issue. One of us could have been killed. Something just didn't wear out and need servicing, it caught on fire. That shouldn't happen to a dishwasher of any vintage.
The first questions customer service asks is whether anyone was hurt, 911 called or any fire damage. Fortunately, I wasn't electrocuted by touching the door while standing in the puddle of water that was created by opening the door while the unit continued to pump water. Then they start to play hardball saying it was an old machine- not to us- and we had six years of use and never admitting that there could be a serious safety issue with this model. We make safe appliances, we have them in our homes, while never acknowledging that I've seen and experienced otherwise.
I've found customer service to be rather smarmy and telling me that she's not going to argue with me. I told her to fix the old one if she's not going to give us a new one and we go round and round in circles about the repairs to the old one being more than the value of the new one. The one they're offering at a discount doesn't have hidden controls so I'd just as soon have the old one fixed. Customer service's attitude is if you didn't call 911 or have damage to the surrounding area, you didn't have a fire. The supervisor told me that there had never been a recall of a KitchenAid dishwasher. I replied that this may be the beginning of one. Model KUDI01FKSS0 for the record. There are other instances on this board regarding KitchenAid dishwasher fires but the model number has not been included.
Please do so when filing a complaint. I would also like to note that people frequently mention how much better their old washers worked compared to the newer models. My repairman friend related to me that to make the newer dishwashers more efficient, manufacturers use much less powerful motors and rely more heavily upon filtration. The door seal had to be re-glued by me but it was not a big deal. We do have to usually run it in heavy mode and use Cascade as Costco's detergent wasn't doing a good job of getting things clean. It also was quiet when we first got it but it got much louder about the time the warranty ran out so we just lived with it. I talked to the dealer who we purchased the KitchenAid dishwasher from, he related that he had never heard of a fire with a KitchenAid dishwasher. At what unit count does a manufacturer have to admit a product is unsafe with possible fire or electrocution and issue a recall? And how do we find out how many units have caught on fire?
Also spoke with supervisor Jim Kuhn. Photos of damage on website. Have to buy a new dishwasher or take the discounted one from KitchenAid.
Dan of Lebanon OH (05/11/08)
KITCHENAID DISHWASHER DOOR CAME FLYING DOWN!! Wow, I can't believe the KitchenAid Dishwasher door came slamming down and to find out that the spring used a cheap nylon rope molded to a plastic part. Part just snapped and Stainless Steel Dishwasher door came fying down.
Kids opened it and it hti my wifes elbow. She has a brace on now. KitchenAid should be embarrased with this design. Piece of junk. Our model washer is only 3 years old, will be the 2cnd time to service (was suposed to be a high end unit, they should be ashamed with such a garbage) Model # KUDP01FlSS6. Very dangerous. We are fortunate that the small kids were not near by or the dog.
Wife went to the doctor for her elbow. Bruised bone. has a brace. It is pretty serious if the string/spring breaks. Please be careful if you have a KitchenAid Dishwasher, especially if you have small kids. It really comes crashing down.
J of Orland Park IL (05/10/08)
Have a Kitchen Aid dishwasher KUDSO1FlSS top of line( at that time) $1000 unit purchased June 2005. Has never really cleaned dishes well and dishes were always wet when a complete cycle was finished. And yes I did use Jet dry and liquid cleaner.
Recently, the dishwasher was shutting down in the beginning of the normal cycle leaving water in the bottom of the unit and rendering the touch control panel inoperative. With the NORMAL and ENERGY SAVER BUTTONS ON NOT (BLINKING) The repair person replaced the board control unit in an attempt to fix the problem. Used authorized service company that goes to training sessions with Kitchen Aid. The serviceman replaced the board ran the unit in the Rinse cycle only and left.
When I went to use unit it did the exact same thing. Normal cycle started then with in a few minutes stopped leaving water in bottom of unit. Service came out again said the unit needed to be rebooted and ran a quick start cycle dishwasher ran through those asked me to load up the dishwasher and start it he would stay and watch it. Guess What??? To his disbelief it stopped in mid cycle.
He called Kitchen aid tech support and they were confused I listened to the conversation and they told him to check the voltage that was fine, then to run the china and pot scrubber cycles which worked he told them that when he hits the normal and energy dry buttons the lights stay on could it be the board a problem with the normal button they replied that a door switch may be needed. He shook his head when he left and said he didn't believe the door switch was the problem they would contact Kitchen aid again and call me.
They did not call when I called them I was told that I needed a door switch and new hinges. Why would the other cycles work If the door switch was faulty and after reading the complaints I think Kitchen aid wants to protect itself by replacing the hinges. The parts are $150 and the service call is another $50 plus. I contacted Kitchen Aid to get a concession on the service and find out if the parts did not solve the problem could I return them because I have already spent several hundred dollars on doing what their techs have advised they said no.
Contacted independent service agent he suggested they replace the board again and maybe consider that the normal button wiring may have gotten wet because of it's location to the steam vent.Kitchen aid customer service said they could not contact the Technical department but offered me a 15% discount on a new Kitchen Aid, Whirlpool or Maytag Dishwasher. That tells me right there that they know they have a defective model Now I am concerned about the door slamming down and a possible fire. I do not want to put in more $$$ while being Kitchen Aids trial and error project.
Trying to repair this unit will probably cost as much as I paid for it if the door doesn't hurt anyone and the possibility of a fire is scary. You would think that Kitchen Aid would be concerned or are they just playing the numbers game that they don't get sued.
Sheila of Pelzer SC (05/04/08)
We purchased a Kithenaid several years ago and have had problems with it for the last year. The control panel won't work. The light just flashes and nothing will work. When it was working, I had to put a towel down in front of the dishwasher to soak up the water. There's no telling what it looks like under the dishwasher. I am so disgusted with the dishwsher. I don't have time to hand wash the dishes.
Jessica of Lynchburg VA (05/04/08)
I have had similar experinces with my Kitchen Aid appliances. I have had top of the line stainless steel models for nearly four years and have had almost all of them repaired at some point. The warming drawer and fridge are the only ones that haven't failed. The dishwasher was so quiet when we first got it, but now it is quite loud.
I had to have the motor replaced once. The door just broke on me AGAIN! First my microwave door hinge broke and it sounded like a gunshot when it happened. Four days later, the same thing happened with the dishwasher and as others have stated these doors are surprisingly heavy. And once they break, it's easy to forget and open the doors like normal only to have them crash down, which cannot be good for the existing parts. So we had both doors fixed by a reputable and speedy repairman, and the repairs cost $500.
That was six months ago and the dishwasher door just broke again! Two weeks ago it wouldn't dispense soap or rinse and then it stopped draining. This door break is the last straw. We had a Bosch in our old place and I think that is where we're headed. I understand normal wear and tear, but when you have an obvious design flaw, you fix it, you don't keep producing it!
Lisa of Milford, MI (04/15/08)
It appears that I am in the minority regarding Kitchen Aid dishwashers. I own a Superba Whisper Quiet model that is over 10 years old and I absolutely love it. It has a stainless steel interior, washes beautifully, very quiet. The only service I ever needed was a new gasket shortly after purchasing the dishwasher.
I only need to fill the detergent cup halfway, I don't use any rinse agent, have only washed on Normal cycle and air dry with excellent results. I believe that my good experience has to do with better quality standards found in older models.
After reading all the horror stories regarding the Kitchen Aid dishwasher, I will definately do my research when the time comes for replacement, but I'm hoping to get another 10+ years out of my current model.
Nancy of Baltimore, MD (04/14/08)
I have a KitchenAid Dishwasher - Model No. KUDS01FL, which was purchased in January 2004. I have never been satisfied with its cleaning abilities since it has been quite inconsistent in quality and I've simply resolved to have to do a hand prewash of items prior to loading.
But that is beside the point... Just recently upon opening the dishwasher's door, I heard a loud pop and felt what I thought was the full weight of the door release into my left hand nearly causing me to fall to keep it from crashing down. Days later, there was a second pop upon opening the door and I experienced the same release (this time it was the full weight of the door) which is surprisingly very heavy.
I decided to remove the under panel to see what was going on and was amazed to find frayed nylon cords on the ground under both of the hinge areas. It was inconceivable to me that this could be what was securing this heavy stainless door while putting me and my family at risk for injury.
Mark of Ann Arbor MI (04/09/08)
We bought a very high end stainless steel dishwasher and it has never cleaned properly. KitchenAid replaced it and the same problem is occurring with the second. I know, we were stupid to stay with KA but it just should not happen. Now they want use to start paying for repairs on the second because the warranty on the first is up. I am ready to burn it on YouTube.
Had a dinner party for a delgation of 20 people from Russia and had to wash everything by hand before we could feed people. Just what you need when entertaining large groups of people. I have an expensive repair person (insisted on my whirlpool before they would believe the last repair person). This is beyond rediculous.
Heather of West Warwick RI (03/25/08)
We purchased a brand new stainless steel top of the line Kitchen Aid dishwasher a year and a half ago and for some reason the dishes, especially anything I put on the top rack, come out clean. They have a film all over them and I have used different types of dishwasher detergent and Jet Dry and they still come out gross. I have to leave them in to wash multiple times. I alway heard that Kitchen Aid is a great product...not! We will never buy another Kitchen Aid dishwasher again. My husband and I plan on getting a different brand dishwasher in a few months. We are at the point of using disposible plastic cups in our family...
Cindy of Regina OTHER (03/23/08)
We purchased our KitchenAid KUDP02CR dishwasher 10 months ago. It has never cleaned properly from the first wash. The dishes come out with a grimy film on them every time. After the first service call in the first 2 months, the repairman claimed that it was because I used too much soap and overloaded it, so I cut back on the soap and the amount of dishes. It made no difference at all. I have tried washing with only 4 items and they still all came out covered in residue. I have to examine every dish before putting them away because it is rare that any are ever clean. The customer service people are always rude and the last call that I made because the soap dispenser won't open anymore was never acknowledged by the repair company that was supposed to contact me to fix it. (its still under the first year warranty) I HATE this dishwasher, and will NEVER buy another KitchenAid appliance, as I am having just as many problems with my KitchenAid toaster. How about taking some responsibility KitchenAid (Whirlpool) and doing something for all of us unhappy people that are stuck with your malfunctioning, useless appliances.
John of Valencia CA (03/18/08)
I bought a KitchenAid dishwasher in December 2003. It has now been serviced at least 7 times: 3 times for door problems (springs, not closing properly), motor has been replaced, pump replaced, serviced for not cleaning dishes completely --- and now in the last week it finally had an electrical fire. My wife started the dishwasher, and a few minutes later there was smoke and a horrible, acrid electrical smell. We had to open all the windows and doors because of the terrible smell. A repairman came and found a burned out control panel and melted electrical harness. I spoke to 2 KitchenAid reps who flat out refuse to do anything. I suggested a credit towards a different dishwasher, but they will do nothing.
This is the last KitchenAid product I will ever buy. They are a horrible company with a horrible product. The repairman told me that the way to go is Bosch.... I will be going that way. I saw another person from Florida had a very similar experience. I wonder if there is a trend, and Kitchen Aid is hiding it....
Fortunately, the only damage was to the dishwasher. But that is because we were home and acted quickly to unplug the dishwasher and insure no fire spread.
Laura of Schomberg OTHER (03/10/08)
The hinge on my top of the line stainless steel tall tub dishwasher suddenly gave out with a loud bang. I pulled the unit out for inspection and saw that this heavy door is hinged with a piece of cord attached to the most flimsy looking thin piece of plastic. The plastic is broken, and I've ordered a whole new assembly which I'm pretty sure will give way again. What a poor design for such a heavy door. After reading all the problems other KitchenAide customers have been dealing with, I'm preparing myself for the worst. I had been looking at the new built in ranges at Lowe's yesterday, but now I know that they're junk. Thanks for the warnings!
Note: When this hinge mechanism is broken, the door can just fall open and smash you on the legs even though the hinge on the other side is still intact with its silly cord. So if this happens to anyone else, be sure to always totally latch the door as if you are going to turn the machine on. Keep it latched at all times.
Mark of Naples FL (03/05/08)
This is a new dishwasher in a new home. It stopped operating shortly after initial use. We had to call an 800 number for service. Then they scheduled a service call. They couldn't fix it. They had to order a part with a one week wait. Then they had to schedule a second visit to repair. The process is not complete as I write this.
I can order a new one and have it installed in one day. Once they have our money, we are nobody and they take weeks to resolve problem.
Kandie of Billings MO (03/05/08)
purchased kitchen aide stainless steel dishwasher from lowes in sept. of 07. I use jet dry, and have tried multiple types of dishwasher detergents, the dishes are ALWAYS DIRTY, even after being washed and soaked before loading!! have to wash multiple times with just a few dishes in the machine. i have 8 people in my house, and do an average of 4 loads a day!!! i bought this product because it was top of the line!! now i have read dozens of complaints from consumers experiencing the same problem. Cant kitchenaide be held responsible to hold up to the standards the public expects from them?
Karen of Winter Park FL (03/04/08)
Our 4-year-old KitchenAid dishwasher (model # KUDSO1FLBL2) was turned on as we went to bed on 12/25/07. Approximately 30 minutes later, we smelled smoke and entered the kitchen to find black smoke and the odor of an electrical fire emanating from the dishwasher. We immediately turned off the circuit breaker and had to air out our home for the night. A repair man who works exclusively on KitchenAid appliances came the following day and immediately called to report the damage to the dishwasher and our property. We were told they would contact us, which they have, so that we could file a claim. That was done on 2/21/08.
We have requested compensation for replacing the dishwasher and cabinetry due to the unacceptable malfunction. I have done some online research, and it seems that Whirlpool has not been straightforward with these consumer complaints. The USCPSC has no public reports of complaints against Whirlpool since several years ago, and there is nothing on that site about recent models.
The electronic panel was burned and charred as well as the wiring and housing. The custom wood panel was burned and the finish on the adjacent cabinets was ruined. Black soot was on all the adjacent cabinetry. We were not offerred a temporary replacement dishwasher and must keep the unit until the claim has been settled.
Tim of Washington DC (02/27/08)
Two years ago, I purchased a top of the line Kitchen Aid dishwasher, model KUDS01FLSS3 for $1,200. Stainless steel inside and out. The machine does an extremely poor job of cleaning, and although I have tried several brands of detergent and I use Jet Dry, glasses frequently come out with a film. Recently, I opened the door to place a dish in the rack, and was startled by a loud pop and the door crashing down on my leg. The corners of the apparently very heavy stainless steel door are quite pronounced and sharp. The result? A long painful gash in my leg, and profuse bleeding. Since then, I've done a bit of research to discover this is not an uncommon occurrence with high-end Kitchen Aid dishwashers. Apparently, the flimsy nylon string/plastic fasteners which attach the door hinge to the door springs fail frequently. Hello? Plastic strings securing the heavy door of a $1,200 dishwasher? Kitchen Aid - have you ever heard of products liability suits and do you care that flimsy and defectively designed products can injure people? SHAME ON YOU KITCHEN AID!
My leg was injured as a result of Kitchen Aid's defectively designed product.
David of Rexford NY (02/27/08)
Kitchen Aid dishwasher has never worked properly. Many service calls, no one can fix this lemon - never buy Kitchaid products regardless of price. Total garbage at any price!!
Out $750 cost of useless Kitchaid dishwasher -- 2 years old!!.
Mark of Dallas TX (02/25/08)
I purchased a very nice and expensive KitchenAid Dishwasher about 4 years ago. Since I am single and traveled for work, I rarely used it. It stopped working in the middle of a cycle leaving water in the tub. I called Sears and the sent me directly to KitchenAid repair. They charged me $55 to come out and tell me that the electrical panel had gone out (like it had a timer on it to go out) and it would be $355 with only a one year warranty on labor and parts. They told me that the dishwasher was out of warranty because, as I found out, I purchased an older model that had been sitting in the Sears warehouse for at least a year before I purchased it. So, to them, I had a 5 year old dishwasher out of warranty - based on the serial number.
It's all about economics. I replaced my 15 year old dishwasher for an updated one; yes, that one was still working. I was laid off from my job and now I am washing dishes by hand and air drying them in my $850.00 BROKEN KITCHENAID DISHWASHER. Makes me wonder if this is a planned failure. After all, if Kitchenaid made a great dishwasher, we would not have to buy them as often as they would like us to. Right? We need Goverment oversight on KITCHENAID.
Alice of Dayton TX (02/15/08)
I purchased a KitchenAid dishwasher in January, '05. Last summer, about August, I had a repair call from A & E, to fix the door. My infant grandson was crawling around on the kitchen floor, and was barely missed as the door to my dishwasher fell open. The spring failed and almost crushed my grandson's head. I screamed, and grabbed him up. When the repair man came, he replaced the spring mechanism, but after he left the door would not stay secured. It first popped open at the cycle change, and I propped a chair in front of the door to hold it closed. It worsened, as I first sat in the chair to keep the door secure long enough to complete all the cycles. I had to add a chair for weight. The service call was made today, the strike was changed out, and the repairman said that the hinges and other parts would have to be changed out if it continued. It continued an hour after he left.
After reading all of the similar complaints concerning the KitchenAid dishwasher, I have come to realize that perhaps I made a bad choice in choosing the KitchenAid. I called KitchenAid and was met with one rude lady on my first attempt. A second call was received by a much nicer employee. She said that this was not covered. After thinking about what could have been the end result of the door slamming into my grandson's head, I have decided that had that happened, or should anything like this happen in the future, it will not be me making the call, but rather the courts. If that door had injured my little grandson, I can't help but believe that KitchenAid would be held liable, due to manufacturer's failure to build a safe appliance. The door on this model has a simple closing mechanism (strike), which cannot be locked or secured so that the door cannot simply fall open. As is, it presents a hazard to small children.
John of Nixa MO (02/08/08)
My wife and I just spent almost $7,000 to remodel our kitchen and add (for the first time in our 8 year marriage) a dishwasher. We bought an expensive, stainless steel, 4 arms on bottom, KitchenAid based on their reputation and recommendation from the associate at Lowe's. Part of the remodel job included Mowhawk Tile Laminate flooring. The tiles are about $5/each, and the flooring job costs approximately $1,600. My wife noticed the tiles coming apart in front of the dishwasher and I immediately called the remodeling contractor. We had used the dishwasher 5 (five) times and it was a brass water fitting leaking all over our new floor. I am waiting on a bill from the contractor right now and I am demanding some sort of compensation. This is ridiculous. I will never buy a KitchenAid again.
Part of our tile laminate floor was RUINED and had to be replaced because of a leaking dishwasher. The contractor did impeccable work and is very apologetic, but it was not his fault. He ran the dishwasher one full cycle, and it did not leak the first time. So, sometime between run 2 and 5, it ruined part of our floor.
Grace of Corona CA (02/02/08)
We purchased a NEW home with NEW KitchenAid dishwasher. The dishwasher has an unknown electrical problem which is causing the fuse to blow.
We replaced the dishwasher fuse to use the dishwasher. Replacing the fuse is not solving the electrical problem.
William of Naperville, IL (01/27/08)
The 3 year old Kitchen Aid Superba in our house needs to have dishes cleaned before being inserted into the washer, has delicate inner hardware that struggles to handle full loads (who runs their dishwasher half-full?), and randomly leaks. It would be a fine cheap dishwasher. It is not, however, what we expected from a Kitchen Aid. I agree with the post that simply said shame on you Kitchen Aid / Sears.
Thomas of Washington Crossing, PA (01/26/08)
We purchased a KitchenAid dishwasher on December 18, 2006. After it was first installed, we were very impressed with how quite the wash cycles were. However, after approximately 6 months, we noticed the dishwasher was starting to develop a rather noisy sound to it, which gradually got worse over time.
When we returned from a two week vacation on December 19, 2007, we started to hear a rather loud grinding sound. It now became obvious that the bearings in the pump motor were going bad. However, by the time we realized what the problem was, the one year parts & labor warranty had expired. We continued to use the dishwasher until the pump motor finally seized up on January 20, 2008. Since I have had quite a bit of experience with repairing various appliances, I decided to follow KitchenAid's Trouble Shooting instructions and fix the dishwasher myself.
I first checked the chopper blade to make sure it was not jammed. I then removed the motor assembly. It was clear that at least one of the motor bearings had started to disintergrate. There were metal particles and black dust that fell off the motor as I removed it from the dishwasher. In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason for a motor bearings to go bad in an appliance like this, even after 5 years of use, let alone less than 1 year of use, warranty or no warranty.
Philip of Gloucester MA (01/15/08)
We purchased a Kitchenaid dishwasher (Model# KUDS01FKSS0) because we wanted a really good quality dishwasher. The Kitchenaid reputation was excellent, and this was supposed to be one of their best. This machine has been awful. It suffered from leaks almost immediately. The control panel buttons started falling off, and the controls have become unreliable (push start several times before it starts). Now the pump makes an awful noise during the wash cycle. It has been apart and cleaned, but the noise persists. I contacted Kitchenaid, but received no help.
Either of the two most recent problems will cost more than the cost of buying a cheap dishwasher. This unit cost roughly triple the cost of a cheap dishwasher. I didn't buy to be flashy. I bought what I thought was superior quality, hoping that I was making an investment in longevity. With a five-year-old and a baby due this month, I need to replace a dishwasher and the floor in front of it.
Harriet of Millville MA (01/14/08)
The lower spray arm of Superba KitchenAid dishwasher malfunctioned and dishes were coming out dirty. I took the spray arm assembly apart and noticed a white plastic collar which was ground down. When I compared it to the exploded view on the website, I realized it was put in upside down. I ordered a new collar, inserted it as the exploded view showed and my dishes were clean again.
Michelle of Concord CA (01/08/08)
I always clean the dishes before going to bed. I put everything in my KitchenAide Dishwasher and turn it on. The dishwasher has had a few problems in the past, for which I called Sears, paid their ridiculous service fees, and got it fixed. Well, Sunday I filled it up and turned it on and went to bed as I've done a thousand times. My husband was still watching TV. Within 10 minutes he smelled something, looked over at the dishwasher, and there were flames coming out of the top of the door on the dishwasher. The control panel/wiring in the door was on FIRE! Thank God, he stayed up, or he and I and our two boys would have been sleeping while our house went up in flames! DO NOT EVER TURN YOUR DISHWASHER ON AND LEAVE OR GO TO BED. I would have NEVER thought of faulty wiring in the dishwasher!
We called KitchenAide,and the lady was rude. So my husband said, "Fine, we'll call a lawyer, we'll call the news and whatever else we can do to expose this problem! The lady changed her tune and had someone out the next day. We are awaiting their response. What losers--to have this problem and not inform people. How many people died due to fires from dishwashers!?
John of Lavallette NJ (01/08/08)
My wife and I completely rebuilt/remodelled our kitchen using Kitchen Aid appliances 2 1/2 years ago. One of the new appliances was a Kitchen Aid dishwasher with a stainless steel liner. We purchased Kitchen aid based on consumer write ups and our salesman's recommendation. What a mistake. We have had repairs performed four times on our new gas slide in range and now twice on our dishwasher. The dishwasher never (in my opinion) performed up to standards as far as drying the dishes, pots, and pans. They were always wet when a complete cycle was finished. And yes we did use Jetdry and liquid diswashing cleaner. Recently, the dishwasher has failed completely by shutting down in mid cycle leaving water in the bottom of the unit and rendering the touch control panel inoperative. The repair person replaced the touch control pad unit and the control unit (PCB) in an attempt to fix the problem. Two days after the repair the dishwasher again failed with the same problems. And again the repair person will have to come out to the house. The dishwasher has now been inoperative for a total of 2 weeks with more down time expected. The repair person said that moisture causes problems with the PCB and the touch control panel. I guess that the Kitchen Aid engineers have yet to discover that a dishwasher uses hot water during its operation. We have also had multiple problems with our gas range going inop requiring 4 service calls but that's another experience. I would not recommend any Kitchen Aid appliance be purchased by any individual or business.
A tremendous amout of my time has been wasted for repairs plus repair costs which are exorbitant.
Judy of Milton VT (01/04/08)
My young (5-6? year old) Kitchen Aid mixer began to leak oil (color of vanilla extract, consistency of honey), down the beaters and into the batter! Consumer reps said this is due to infrequency of use, and it is my job to run in at least once a week for 10 minutes at high speed. OK. Did that. It continued to leak whenever the batter became stiff. Consumer reps repeated their directions, and assured me that the oil is food grade and safe for consumption. This is odd, as it smells like petroleum. It is also unnerving to watch brown oil dropping into chocolate chip cookie batter, and to think about the grandchildren who might have eaten these cookies had I not completely freaked out. Kitchen Aid gave me no option, so I purchased a new mixer, and reported them to Better Business.
Now they have agreed to fix the mixer at no cost to me. So...soon I'll have a refurbished second mixer, which I could sell. But what do I say to a buyer, given its history? More to the point, it concerns me to read so many posts online regarding this very issue. If it is so common, why doesn't the manual stress that frequency of use is important. Why doesn't it include 'oil leak' in its trouble-shooting section, with remedies, and assurances about safety-for-consumption questions? I cannot afford the high price of having the oil tested myself, but I am surprised that someone has not. And why has KitchenAid not fixed the problem--if not actually, then at least with replacement mixers for their unhappy customers?
Jeff of Danville CA (12/19/07)
We bought one of the high end KitchenAid dishwashers in 2002. It performed well in the cleaning category, but it lasted exactly 3 years, required 3 service calls, was down for a total of 6 weeks, and I finally took a cash settlement from our 3rd party extended warranty company to let them walk away from it. The service tech said he heard they improved the electronics in the newer models (ha!). When we replaced the failed unit in June 2005, I could not get a Bosch with the necessary dimensions and features I needed. Consumer Reports and others falsely rated the KitchenAid highly and few complaints appeared around the web at that time.
We bought a new Superba dishwasher for $1,400 including the extended warranty. Guess what...18 months old and the electronics have totally failed. To add insult to injury we have been without it for 16 days now, and they can't get the parts due to backorder in manufacturing. Right now the ETA for the parts places the dishwasher out of service for over one month with probable repair around January 2nd or 3rd (yes, we have to live through the holidays without a dishwasher), and my demands to KitchenAid to replace the unit fall on deaf ears. Their poor quality and poor parts availability, and poor service commitment has repeated four different times on two appliances for us. We are done purchasing any KitchenAid appliances.
Warning: KitchenAid builds unreliable appliances and refuses to provide its customers with reasonable quality service! You don't have to be an engineer to understand that KitchenAid designs flawed dishwashers: I watched the technician open the door panel to diagnose our problem a couple of weeks ago and saw that they provide no insulating shielding of fragile electronic components from the 150+ degree temperatures present in the stainless wash tubs. My 10-year old kid could figure out that the point of most likely failure will be KitchenAid's fragile electronics. Shame-on-you, KitchenAid-Whirlpool, for foisting poorly designed, expensive garbage on the unsuspecting public!
Bob of Columbus OH (12/15/07)
Bought the top of the line KUDS01FL in 2003 for $1300. Four years later we have had 2 key pads replaced, 2 control modules, the door hinge has now broken twice. Repair total? Over $900 of 70% of the purchase price. Kitchen Aid has been very accommodating by offering us 15% off a new Kitchen Aid dishwasher! Hope everyone is still with me and not cleaning spit up coffee off your monitor from laughing. If this was a car this would be an open-and-shut lemon law case. How does Whirlpool get away with this?
I grew up with Kitchen Aid; they were the best, most reliable name in dishwashers. Today they are a joke and do not stand behind their products. Amazing to read all the similar problems with this same dishwasher. I am sure we are just the tip of the problem. A bigger issue is that it seems newer models have the exact same problems. They have not redesigned the basic hinge, key pad and control panel issues.
Cathie of Eatontown NJ (12/06/07)
I bought the very expensive top-of-the-line KitchenAid dishwasher (KUDPIFLSS6) in 2005. In March 2007 the dishwasher was not functioning at all. I had three technician visits ($180) before they decided to replace the computer and pump. It is less than a year later, and it is not functioning again.
Already had to pay $180 for technicians. This along with the inconvenience of having to wait around for service visits and the lack of having a working dishwasher has been extremely frustrating; and now, less than a year later, it looks like I am again going to have to endure this cost and inconvenience on a product that was very expensive. I was willing to pay more to get more. Boy was I wrong.
Amalia of Yuma AZ (11/23/07)
I bought a Superba dishwasher, model KUDS01DLSS2 two years ago, which broke right after it was installed. Kitchenaid took care of the repair. The problem had to do with the computer board. The dishwasher worked for a couple of months and needed another board replacement. A year went by with no major problems except for the door hinge that has always been noisy. Then two weeks ago the computer board broke again. We called Kitchenaid, and we were told that the warranty on labor was over, but the parts were covered; but we had to get a Kitchenaid affiliated technician to fix it.
We are very disappointed at this product since we spent almost a $1000 expecting a long-life appliance. We have had similar problems with a Kitchenaid refrigerator, for which we were forced to buy an extended warranty from Kitchenaid. The refrigerator has had at least three repairs. The ice maker has been replaced twice, and the interior walls are cracking which cannot be fixed, but we have learned to see the unappealing interior of our over $2,000 refrigerator. The technician told us that this is a defect of these appliances.
I would like to be informed if there is a recall or any legal actions going on against Kitchenaid. I feel that I have been robbed, and that Kitchenaid should compensate my troubles. Next time I buy appliances, I will go with a less expensive brand and more realistic advertising. I have been left without the use of my Kitchenaid appliances for weeks. I have had a hard time getting a reliable technician to service them.
Linda of San Jose CA (11/22/07)
Here it is Thanksgiving Day I am not thankful for my kitcen Aid dishwasher.
The light is on but the washer is not operating at all. This will be my 8th Service call on this dishwasher
C of Toronto OTHER (11/04/07)
I purchased a condominium in 2004 with appliances included in the price. I upgraded these to what I believed were top of the line appliances. The dishwasher I chose was a Kithcenaid Superba with stainless steel interior. I have two young children and one of the things I wanted was a dishwasher that operated quietly. Unfortunately, since almost day one, the spring mechanism for the door was extremely noisy, meaning that opening and closing the door after the kids have been put to bed always risks waking them up.
Just recently, however the door spring mechanism broke entirely ...not something one would expect of such an expensive brand name product. Not only is the spring now broken, but the latch ocassionally will open in the middle of a wash, crashing the door down forcefully, and I'm sure not helping the health of this fragile piece of machinery. I will never, never purchase another Kitchen product again!
Steve of Auburn CA (10/16/07)
Purchased a Kitchen Aid dishwasher new in 2003, KUD101DLBS2. Since then we have had the control modules replaced three times and now they are out again. I have spent almost as much on service calls as the unit cost. It is coming out and will be replaced with something that works.
Rhonda of Snohomish WA (09/29/07)
When building our new home, we purchased top of the line Kitchen Aid appliances. In three years I have had four service calls on my dishwasher, replaced the hinges on both my convection double ovens...one was only used once before the hinges sprung and the door wouldn't close. About 6 months ago, the icemaker and water dispenser stopped working in the freezer door.
I made the service appointment through Sears where we purchased the appliaces. I am self-employed and took the day off to wait through the 6 hour service call window. I received a call 5 minutes before the end of the service call time and was asked about the model number of the Superba Side by Side. He then informs me that he will not come because the wiring harness breakage problem that was causing the problem was a design flaw and happens to every one of these. The wiring harness part is not available, but if I would like to order a whole new door for $900 plus labor they could schedule me for another appointment. I asked if he was kidding and hung up on him.
I called Kitchenaid directly and could not get any help, advice or even a part number. I researched for 5 minutes on my own, found the part number and have ordered the part that is not available for $15.53 and will do it myself or pay an electrtian an hour's wage to make the repair. I will never buy another KitchenAid appliance and will never call Sears for product support and repair. What a joke!
Denise of Washington Crossing PA (09/26/07)
I've already had my brand new (2007) Architect Series Model KUDP02FRSS2 Kitchenaid dishwasher serviced twice; once by the store and once by Kitchenaid. The problem is the dishwasher will not dry dishes. The entire interior of the stainless steel dishwasher is coated with water after each load, even if I use the heated dry cycle and/or the sani rinse cycle. The glasses and dishes are all wet even into the next morning. I have to still open the door to get the dishes to air dry, or I get out the old dish towel and hand dry everything.
R of Williston Pk NY (06/15/07)
Purchased a kitchenaid dishwasher in 2000 have had service problems with it three times from faulty control panel to pump problems, the current problem is the control panel again. The service tech shows up, looks at the appliance and says he needs to order parts, period is two weeks. After a long discussion with him, he checked his truck and found a part, which worked, two days later dishwasher failed again.
Contacted kitchenaids appliance repair service A&E scheduled another appointment for 10 days later, was assured that the responding repairman will know the history and have the parts. Repairman shows up no prior knowledge and of course no parts. He has to order the parts, which come within two days. Contact A&E to advise that parts are in schedule another appointment they want me to take another day off from work to accommodate their schedule.
When all is said and done, the appliance will be out of service for over a month and the company could care less.
Renee of Hancock NH (05/18/07)
Bought a top of the line Kitchen Aid dishwasher KUDS01DJSS0 a few years ago. Within the first 6 months, we had a repairman out 5 times because of leaks. The 5th time they finally came with a kit to fix it. The sealers around the door were put in backwards. The motor dies 13 months later. The dishwasher now takes almost 2 hours on a regular cycle. I have 2 dishwashers in my home, bought a Magic Chef for about $300 for the entertainment kitchen and has worked better than the $1,100 Kitchenaid. The Kitcheaid dishwasher is the worst product I have ever bought. I would think there is sometype of recall on this product.
After we had the new Kitchenaid dishwasher installed, we had all new hardwood floors put in. The installer of the floors put the new floor up to the dishwasher so it cannot be rolled out for repairs. I had to have someone come and lift up the countertops to have the motor replaced. Now 2 years later the dishwasher is broken again and I really cannot afford to have countertops lifted again. What a piece of junk.
Kim of Arlington, MA (05/15/07)
We purchased a $1,000 KitchenAid dishwasher 2 1/2 years ago. About a month ago, the door spring broke. It is not really a door spring, but a little nylon rope and a pulley system. The repairman came out and it cost $180 to fix.
Then this week, the dishwasher shut off in the middle of washing the dishes and the clean light started flashing green. The dishwasher wouldn't go back on.
I called Kitchenaid and they haven't 'seen' this problem before. Apparently, they don't read the many blogs or posts from irrate customers.
Jerry of Macomb MO (05/10/07)
When we built our new home about 18 months ago, we wanted what we thought was the best, so we paid $1180.00 for our Kitchenaid dishwasher. When it was a little less than a year old, the pump failed. Fortunately, the machine was just barely under warranty and didn’t cost us anything. Recently, the control panel went out. The repairman tells us it will cost almost $400.00 to fix it this time, not counting the $50 for his initial troubleshooting call. So now, this machine’s cost has actually risen to $1930.00, over 60% above the original sticker price.
Jeff of Littleton CO (05/09/07)
I've had this dishwasher just over 5 years. I've had it repaired 4 times. Broken door latch and handle. Shorted out circuit/computer. Control panel broken. Leaking door gasket. Like others I went with brand reputation. I will never buy a Kitchenaid/Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana/JennAir again.
Nearly $300 in repairs, if my labor was included would be about $600. That's a little less than I paid for it.
Walter of Portland OR (03/14/07)
The Kitchenaid KUDI01FLSS dishwasher that right after the warranty expired it stopped working. The first problem was the fuse. After calling Kitchenaid and going through numerous computer phone trees, I spoke to someone who said yes your appliance is just out of warranty, you should have gotten the extended warranty.
Alice of Schenectady NY (11/10/06)
Our 8 year old Kitchen Aid Dishwasher KUDS24SE needed a new bottom rack because the old one had corroded. The replacement rack is different from the original, and apparently sits a bit lower. When the rack is loaded, the bottom spray arm cannot rotate, as it hits the bottom of the rack. I called Kitchen Aid and was told that the rack that I have is the only rack available for our model. They claim to have no other complaints of this problem. They offer no solution! So I have a dishwasher that is essentially unusable due to a rack that doesn't fit! I am disgusted with their lack of a response - essentially, TOO BAD! We previously (about three years ago) had to have the motor on this dishwasher replaced. I thought I had bought one of the best dws on the market at the time...now I just feel like a fool. No more Kitchen Aid products for us!
Judi of Lake Zurich IL (10/24/06)
I wish I would've checked with your site before purchasing my Kitchenaid dishwasher KuDP01ILBs1 3 years ago. I had a Kitchenaid for 15 years previously and it worked perfectly. Was the company bought out? Or were all of the experienced personnel given packages? I feel VERY fortunate after reading some of the complaints listed on your site. My dishwasher has ONE problem only. I thought I would list it because I haven't seen it listed here. The hinges squeak VERY loud when opening and closing the door ...it sounds like it's ancient.
Kitchenaid customer service told me to squirt oil (cooking oil only) into the hinges. This seemed to help but it still has not gone away. We called a serviceman (we have a Sears service contract) and he loosened the hinges and applied oil. It still squeaks. He also said it would be a good idea not to let the service contract run out. I can see why after reading the complaints on your site. Good luck everyone!
Clayton of San Jose CA (10/23/06)
I have a heavy duty, high end dishwasher made by Kitchenaid. Since day one, it has not washed the dishes as well as our last one, there have been numerous field service people out to look at it. The company does not honor it's warrenty or extended warranty. you cannot get through their phone tree. Twice now, besides washing dishes poorly it has quit entirely requiring a $125 part to get it running again. I will never never buy another kitchenaid product.
Tonny of Indianapolis IN (09/29/06)
I purchased a Kitchen Aid diswasher from a local Sears stores Model KUDG25SH in August of 2000. Top of the line model with the stainless steel interior. Unfortunately for us we did not know that the dishwasher had been leaking from the valve assembly since it was installed and progressed over a five year period.
We called Sears where we purchased the dishwasher from. They sent a tech out with no charge to us. The tech looked at it and wrote on an estimated to repair that the fill valve assembly did not work properly at time of installation. Has leaked for a long time. Pump/Assembly was damaged and corroded as well as the the fill valve. Has caused long term sub-floor damage.The estimate to repair was over $500.00.
Sears said since the dishwasher was out of warranty we would have to contact Kitchen Aid Directly. Kitchen Aid refused stating that we should have contacted them earlier about the leak instead of waiting for 5 yrs. The only reason we looked under the dishwasher was because of the musty odor coming from the dishwasher. By that time the sub floor was gone and that was why we had an odor in the first place. The only reason I bought a Kitchen Aid appliance was because of the name and standing behind their products. Customer Service is at the top of my list when I buy products. I will not buy Kitchen Aid anymore.
Stephen of Ashland, OR (08/07/06)
I have a defective latching mechanism on my brand new Kitchenaid dishwasher, causing the washer to ocassionally open and water to spill out.
I had a repairman out 6 times. Kitchenaid's solution has been to replace a catch with an older style catch which is extremely difficult to close and open. Their latest solution is to have me heat treat the gasket to soften it up. This is absurb for a supposed top of the line appliance. Apparently they want to disassociate themselves from any culpability and will not take back the machine.
My only option is file suit.
Sue of Newtown, PA (07/26/06)
I purchased a Kitchenaid dishwasher that has been nothing but problems. The pump and motor had to be replaced after only 15 months. It does not get the dishes clean when it is working and now the fuses inside keep blowing out.
Amy of Salem, OR (07/18/06)
In March of 2003 we bought a very expensive Kitchenaid dishwasher, with a stainless steel interior. Since we bought it we have had nothing but trouble!
The door gasket is always coming off and it leaks water from the door. We have had the repair man out three times, twice to replace the motor and another time to replace other parts because it was not draining and cleaning properly.
Today when I turned it on it was totally dead - won't go on, won't make a sound. It is exasperating and Kitchenaid is ignoring all these problems.
Wake up KitchenAid!
Steve of Englewood CO (05/20/06)
KUDS01FL The control panel has malfunctioned. The thin flexible plastic which covers the underlying buttons has cracked and one button is exposed. This seems to have allowed moisture into the contacts. As a result, there is a 'ghost' in the panel, and sometimes after repeated fussing with different combinations of button pushing, canceling, etc. the unit will operate, typically in one mode only. The dishwasher is about four years old. Obtaining service as been a nightmare. COmpared to my old GE plastic interior dishwashers, this is a poorly engineered product, desinged for replacement. Shame on you KitchenAid, like Detroit, your business practices will lead to your demise, and the needless loss of yet another American company. Rather than pay one third the price of the dishwasher - its being replaced with a Bosch.
Marla of New York, NY (05/02/06)
I have had my KitchenAid Superba stainless steel dishwasher since 8/2001. While I had some problems with the door two years ago (new rope and hinges) and occasional leaking, it's started to significantly leak recently.
We thought we needed a new gasket but after that was replaced, it continued to leak and even more than before. Another tech came and identified new problems, ordered parts....still not fixed. After 7 total tech visits over nearly 2 months, it is still leaking after replacing every single part in the dishwasher (sprayer, pump and finally the tank).
I just bought a Bosch - everyone I know with a Bosch has nothing but good things to say (and you don't find complaints online).
Walter of Issaquah WA (04/20/06)
KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJ -- We purchased the subject dishwasher from Crossroads Appliance on March 19, 2001. This unit was to replace an older GE unit that was damaged during the earthquake of that year. After researching many dishwashers, we decided upon this because of its reliability ratings, cleaning ability, and quiet operation. Since the purchase of this unit we have not had a service call on the dishwasher, but have, over the last 5 years, called the dealer and KitchenAid on numerous occasions due to poor cleaning performance.
Each time we have called we have tried the remedies proposed by the dealer and by KitchenAid, with no apparent success. At this point, we are tired of trying their suggestions and those of the dealer. We have gone through different detergents, different dish loadings, and different products – all to no avail. The last step was a final call to KitchenAid and we were told our water was the problem and KitchenAid recommended we install a water softener. This is a $1500. investment we do not need to make – we’ll buy another dishwasher first. Our original GE unit never had these issues and was on the same water line as this unit. We would appreciate a complete investigation of this issue by KitchenAid, and a final solution to this issue to resolve what we consider a poor product design and performance.
We will have to replace this $700 dishwasher with a new one if the performance does not improve. I have asked KitchenAid for a no charge service call but they would rather not do so and have me pay to have it replaced or fixed.
Stacey of Cincinnati OH (04/05/06)
I recently purchased a KitchenAid Stainless steel dishwasher, model KUDS02FRSS0 in October 2005, it was installed Nov 2005. The day of installation the door did not shut properly. A&E came out and looked at it, said the latch clip needed to be replaced. Keep in mind...it had never been used at this point. It was another 10 days before the part came in and was installed. The latch has worked ok, not great.
March 31st, I washed a load of dishes and noticed that the water had not drained. The dishwasher would not stay on to drain the water, it took about 45 min. to get it to drain. In the meantime all the digital controls were blinking on the control panel. I was unable to cancel it out. I turned the power off in hopes that it would reset the mother board but to no avail.
KitchenAid scheduled a service call for 4/5/06. The technician came out and informed me that I needed a new control panel, that mine was completely shot. Needless to say I was a bit hot at the fact that this dishwasher is 3 months old and now needs a new complete digital board. I called KitchenAid and explained that I wanted it replaced, considering the appliance is 3 months old and already not working and needs the main componet replace that I felt it reasonable to request a new one.
The KitchenAid serv. rep. explained to me that they would have to replace it and if it was a defect with the dishwasher they would have to make a determination after the part was installed and completed. I told him that I spent $1,200 on this dishwasher that that I shouldn't be having ANY problems at all. I purchased the dishwasher based on their reputation but in viewing others problems I see KitchenAid isn't living up to their prior reputation. I requested an E-mail be sent directly from KitchenAid stating what they would be doing and to acknowledge the problem that I am currently having, they agreed to do so.
I wanted my own documentation directly from them for problems I'm sure to encounter in the future. I would not recommend this dishwasher to anyone, in fact I would not recommend KitchenAid at all.
Jeanette of Campbell River, Canada (03/25/06)
We purchased a top of the line dishwasher from Sears Canada for over $1700 and we've been hand washing ever since.This poorly engineered appliance not only fails to clean properly but leaks due to an element which was designed to burn out, causing the machine to leak all over the floor.
Because this was a built in, the water has damaged the floor and weakened the structure. The leak was caused by a poorly engineered or possibly a "planned obsolesence" design. This has had a serious impact on the health of our family as for some time we didn't realize there was water behind the cabinets and moulds and mildews as well. We now face ripping out the floor and wall behind the machine or selling our home!
Krista of New York NY (01/07/06)
My KitchenAid dishwasher, Model KUDC25CHWH1 has been a disaster. The model was purchased in 2002 and never worked properly. I understand that products, even the most expensive products, break; however, it is Kitchen Aid's support and service provider's attitudes that are most exgregious. The dishwasher leaks buckets, has required numerous service visits and KtichenAid central does...absolutely..nothing. I have telephoned, begged by email for alternate service providers in Manhattan, etc. and received no response.
In short, we are stuck with a lemon but even worse, a lemon that KitchenAid will not support, even though we are able and even willing to pay for such service. Moral of the story: We are building a vacation house now and have resolved to spend the extra money for German appliances. KitchenAid is about as welcome as Bin Laden in our household.
Our damages (not including the numerous times off from my work to receive dubious repairmen) stretch from needing to re-grout the kitchen tiles (because of the water leaking) to refinishing the wood floors where the water had spilled over, repeatedly. Not to mention the nightmare of calls from our downstairs neighbor that water was leaking into her apartment. The list of horribles continues but KitchenAid acts as if the service providers are the equivalent of special forces. In fact, Kitchen Aid and its service providers are are incompetent, rude and expensive confidence men acting in collusion.
B. of Carmel IN (12/12/05)
We have 2 new Kitchenaid dishwashers in our new home, and both have the same issue. We use liquid Cascade and Jet-Dry in both of them. The problem is that the glasses come out with film on them and frequently food does not get washed off of the dishes completely, or at least as well as I would expect. Our last home (which was new as well) had a GE Triton dishwasher, which seemed to do a great job giving us spotless glasses and cleaning food off of dishes---especially for someone like me who hates to rinse dishes at all.
Because our 2 Kitchenaid dishwashers are stainless steel (inside and out) I assume they are more expensive --- and supposedly "better" models than the GE we used to have. But based on the look of our dishes, I'd take back the plastic front GE in a minute. Suggestions anyone? In case anyone is wondering why we have 2 dishwashers in our kitchen, I've hated washing (and rinsing) dishes by hand since I was a kid and swore someday I'd have 2 dishwashers so we could fit everything in them. Having to frequently wash dishes twice, and having to "hand polish" most glassware to remove spots/film.
Judith of Gloucester VA (10/24/05)
I bought a KitchenAid Superba dishwasher, model KUDS01FL, with stainless steel interior and exterior. It was installed Aug. 8, 2005. It cost approx. $1,000. It has malfunctioned repeatedly. I am waiting for the third service call. Five weeks ago, the control board and temperature sensor were replaced. Now the machine is doing the same thing it did before -- it cuts off after 15-20 mins. and the green "clean" light flashes, which KitchenAid's troubleshooting guide says is a heater circuit problem. The customer service department will not do anything but tell me to request another repair call. I see on the Web other, similar complaints about KitchenAid dishwashers, but the company will not admit that it has sold a defective product. It refuses to authorize a replacement.
I spent $1,000 for a dishwasher that does not work. I am worried about a danger of fire, because the company manual says the symptoms indicate a heater circuit malfunction.
Lela of Lanesville IN (10/23/05)
I bought the top of the line KitchenAid stainless steel dishwasher because of its reputation as "the Best". I use only liquid Cascade detergent. This machine does not clean my dishes! I have to rewash many of them by hand due to residue. Also, the gasket doesn't stay in place, sticking to the door when I open it after doing a load of dishes. I clean the edge, thinking the residue from washing causes it to stick, but that doesn't help. Infuriating.
Bruce of Half Moon Bay CA (09/20/05)
My Kitchenaid Superba dishwasher left white specs of food all over dishes. I've had a few service men out, but they just clean the interior and say that it's important to scrape the dishes very thoroughly. I decided to investigate the problem myself. There's a significant design flaw in this dishwasher.
If you look inside, under the lower sprayer, there's a gear-shaped disk. Water flows between the teeth of this disk and the idea is that large particles will be too big to get through the teeth, but smaller particles will easily get through. It's a fine design, except for one big problem. The disk will let particles through that are too big to fit through the opening to the disposal grinder. Olive pits and cherry pits go right through and jam up right in front of the opening to the grinder. There is no way to get them out short of getting some (torx) allen wrenches and removing the disk.
If you do that, and clean out the interior, it'll work well for a while, until another cherry or olive pit or similar-sized item gets wedged inside. Of course, this is supposed to be a high-end no-scrape dishwasher. But you'd be a fool not to scrape very carefully. Also, there are now a lot of other models of dishwasher the appear to use the same mechanism. It might be a good idea to avoid dishwashers with the gear-shaped disk assembly under the lower sprayer.
Dishes don't get clean, needs frequent service, requires scraping. I.e. doesn't function like a high-end dishwasher.
Mark of Rockford IL (09/09/05)
I purchased a top of the line KitchenAid dishwasher in May 2005 at a cost of over $1000. It was installed on Jun 8, and worked for approximately 2 weeks. After that, the "clean" light blinked and the dishwasher did not work. Since then, two different service companies have been out 3 times each, for a total of 6 repair visits. The dishwasher still does not work. Even though it is under warranty, KitchenAid reps tell me that I have a "repair only" warranty which does not entitle me to a replacement. They insist they will be able to fix it. At this point, I have demanded a new dishwasher. If they continue to refuse, I plan on buying a different brand dishwasher and filing a lawsuit against them. Trust me - you don't want to buy a KitchenAid dishwasher.
William of Malibu CA (07/19/05)
The KitchenAid Sculptura I bought for $900 in 1998 is quiet and it's pretty, but it doesn't clean the dishes, and it falls apart and can't be repaired. Dishes never came out quite clean, even though we tried various detergents and rinses. The internal dishwashing parts break frequently, and the user panel has cracks. Sometimes I could glue or tie them back together and sometimes not. I just dismantled all the electrical parts to find a problem. The failure was in a printed circuit board, which is no longer supplied by Kitchen Aid, so the dishwasher can never be fixed again.
Kitchen Aid is irresponsible -- orphaning their machines saves them a buck or two, but it means their products can't be repaired. While taking it apart, I found out why it's such a lemon: the design is badly done, the parts are badly made, and the whole dishwasher was slapped together by people who didn't care. I designed similar products for 40 years and wouldn't sign my name to any part of this dishwasher.
Matt of Grand Prairie TX (07/18/05)
We remodeled our kitchen in 1998. My family has owned kitchenaid dishwashers since the 1970s - it USED to be a good brand. We purchased a Kitchenaid KUDS24SEBS5 and it has performed well for at least 4 years. Then we've had a problem with the electronic panel - replaced that for $300. Now we're on the 3rd repair call to fix the washing arm - it blows a hole in the end an it doesn't spray water up over the plates and silverware. This first repair was $100 for the service call and $100 and 2 months for the part. This time it has only been two months before the spray arm failed again. The Kitchenaid brand has been trashed - good work, Jack Welch and you GE guys!
Celia of Hayward CA (06/29/05)
I am presently waiting for a repairman for the seventh time since purchasing my Kitchenaid dishwasher from Sears in 2002, just over 2 1/2 years ago. I paid $1056.84 for it, as it was reputed to be top of the line. I had to call a repairman out almost immediately as it did not wash properly, nor did it dry adequately. First I got the lecture about how I was not running the water until it was hot prior to starting the dishwasher, was not using JetDry, etc. Very insulting.
The second time, they replaced the motor. Periodically since then, it just stops in mid-cycle and fails to operate at all. One repairman told me it was a design flaw because the stainless steel interior gets too hot and shorts out the circuitry. He tried to rig some insulation to prevent it, and it lasted for seven months after that before the problem repeated itself. I have an extended warranty from Sears, but it means I must wait two weeks each time for the repairman to come.
Lisa of East Northport NY (1/2/04):
I did a complete kitchen remodel spending 12k on all my appliances. I thought I was buying top of the line and opted for the Kichenaid dishwasher because I heard that parts for the better German dishwashers were expensive. The unit I wound up buying was trouble from day one.
It wasn't cleaning my dishes and I hated the fact that because the top rack was adjustable, it was also wobbly and always shaking therefore the bowls I had stacked neatly prior to washing were always falling over if I didn't close the top rack just right and very slowly! I called numerous repairmen within the first year. The first guy tells me my dishes weren't getting clean because I didn't have any Jet Dri in the machine! That was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard!
The second guy tested the water temp, the hardness of the water and found nothing. The third guy replaced some plastic part on the bottom and tells me it should be fixed. In the middle of the ongoing repairs, the digital display decides to operate when it feels like it! At one point, I actually had to turn all power off from the main circuit breaker to reset the machine. Eventually, I called The Appliane Depot in Commack, NY where I purchased all of my appliances and they told me Kitchen Aid would help me and that they would want to know about the problem.
I finally sit down and write to Kitchenaid to explain and I recently received a response. The response stated "sorry to hear your machine needs repair but you are beyond your warranty period. The following is a list of service providers in your area!" I am so angry I could just scream. I stumbled upon this site trying to find someone's name at KitchenAid who might actually care!
Randy of Sherman Oaks CA (10/13/03):
The handle which operates the open/close function of model #KUD10ITJWH0 dishwasher has broken. Purchased on 9/21/01, placed in service on 11/1/01 at which time the warranty card was mailed. Was told by KitchenAid customer service that the part is covered during the first year of service. Cost to repair is unknown but customer service told me the service call would be $65 minimum plus the part(s).
There is only my wife and I occupying our home. We operate this dishwasher once every week or two. It does get opened and closed a few times daily. It is fair to say that this feature of the dishwasher should remain operable for more than two years since this is a crucial function. KitchenAid has not offered to correct without a service charge. We are willing to pay for the part if this helps.
Lindsay of Fair Haven NJ (9/11/03):
just after my 1-year warranty ended my top rack broke, the control panel stopped taking information, the door wouldn't latch, water was leaking onto the floor and white particles were basically "glued" to all my glasses forcing me to rewash them all every morning. After 4 visits the control panel was fixed, the first Sears man had done it wrong. The upper rack was fixed as well as the latch.
Now a whole year later and 4 more maintenance calls later (8 visits including the diagnoses and returning with parts) It is still leaving white specks. Not what I paid $900 for! They say it's me detergent not being liquid. I only use liquid. They say we don't rinse our dishes well enough, we rinse them so well they look clean going in! They also say I don't use the correct amount of detergent. One guy tells me use 1/2 the amount the manufacturer says. I did and no change. The next guy says use the right amount. No Change. The next guy says use powder... No change.
Why can't they stop blaming me and fix it or give me a new dishwasher. I thought I had a lemon until I found this web site and discovered all you have the same problem. Kitcheaid is no longer a quality name in our neighborhood.
Katherine of West Bend WI writes (2/6/03):
I purchased a KitchenAid dishwasher because the sales person where I bought it from stated it was very good. I had also seen many ads for it in all my decorator and home magazines which I thought only had the best products. I bought the top of the line, Stainless Steel inside and out for a price of $950.00. I thought it was a lot to pay but I also thought I was getting one of the best dishwashers.
Within the first month one of the brackets that allows the top shelf to adjust its height, broke. I called for repair and someone came out and fixed it. Well, About 2 weeks later, it happened again and someone had to come and fix it. Mind you, It took 2 to 3 weeks to get them there each time. Now, less than a year later, It is making loud noises, not finishing its cycles and I am unable to program the touch pad controls. I am extremely irate. I feel as though as soon as the one-year warranty was up, it fell apart. I don't know what recourse I have. I am unhappy with this product that was over priced and is unreliable.
Kathy of Northville, MI writes (1/15/01):
I just wanted to write about my experience with "the way it's made" KitchenAid. I purchased a top of the line dishwasher, the KitchenAid Superba, at Sears in July of 1998. I also purchased an extended maintenance agreement from Sears. Not too long ago I noticed that the plastic housing around the digital control panel on my dishwasher had two cracks in it around the top edge. These cracks cannot be seen unless the door is open. They appear to be stress cracks.
A friend had mentioned that he had read that some of the digital models did have this happen. I called KitchenAid and they said they had never heard of it. I then called Sears for maintenance. I even gave them the part number for the plastic piece so they could bring it with them. I took a day off work while Sears Maintenance Tech John came over. He did not have the part with him. John immediately said "I've seen hundreds of these cracks in the same spot ... I can guarantee you that if you get this fixed you will be calling back in two years because it will crack again."
Then he proceeded to tell me it was a "cosmetic" problem and was not covered. I mentioned that when I purchased the maintenance agreement I was told cosmetic parts were covered yet how could he call it cosmetic if he had seen "hundreds of cracks like this." He said it was considered cosmetic and no they were not covered.
I got my Sears salesperson on the phone and he told the repair person it was covered. The repair person said "Listen young man, I've been in this business for 30 years and I know it is not covered. Do you want me to send the bill to your store? - that is the only way I'll order this part." The salesperson agreed to have the charge sent to the store. The maintenance guy then told me I would probably have more problems after he replaces this piece and the whole fix might take 3 or 4 visits to fix these other problems caused by him taking the digital controls apart.
My problem is: 1) If the maintenance person has seen this '100 times or more', why isn't KitchenAid standing behind their product and its manufacturing defect? 2) Even if it is repaired by this pessimistic maintenance person, what am I going to do in 2 years when it cracks again and my maintenance contract no longer covers this problem. 3) The Sears salesperson swears that even cosmetic parts are covered for the 1st 3 years of ownership and I have a brochure which states this is so. Why do I have to be put in the middle between the Sears store and their repair people?
Pauline of Lynbrook NY (9/25/02):
I purchased a Kitchenaid dishwasher in May of 2001. Shortly thereafter, the dishwasher began to leak. I bought the dishwasher at PC Richards in Rockville Centre, New York. I called PC Richads, while the dishwasher was still under warrenty, and they sent a repair man. The repair man just pushed the rubber gasket back. Shortly after that it started to leak again, and I called PC Richards again, and they sent another repair man.
The third time it leaked I complained to PC Richards and they referred me to Kitchenaid. I called Kitchenaid, and they sent a repair man who then removed the rubber gasket and put in a heavy duty gasket. Shortly after that it leaked again. Kitchenaid sent another repair man and he put a sealer and a new gasket. The dishwasher still leaks, and my warranty has since run out.
I sent in a formal complaint to Kitchenaid for my dishwasher to be replaced or refunded, and they denied me. My dishwasher was over $700.00, and I bought it based on the Kitchenaid reputation.
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