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KitchenAid Refrigerators

KitchenAid • Cooktops • Coffee Makers • Dishwashers • Hot Water Dispensers • Microwave & Range Hoods • Mixers • Range Hoods • Refrigerators • Stoves & Ovens • Wall Ovens • Washers & Dryers --- • Whirlpool

Mitch of Northville , MI May 28, 2009

I purchased a KichenAid refrigerator in June of 2008. It is a double door with freezer on the bottom. Since that time the ice maker has been making ice with a red color to the ice cube. The water dispensor seems to be working properly and there was never any red color to the water coming from the dispensor. The problem seemed to be isolated to the ice maker. We have stayed away from using the ice.

I called Whirlpool Service and they did send a technician who did nothing other than tell me it was the water supply and I would have to have my water tested. I contracted a lab to test my tap water, the water from the refigerator water dispenser and the water from melted ice. The results we that tap water and water from the water dispenser were clear and met all water safety requirements. The water from the melted ice contained semi volatile organic compounds (propanedinitrile, N-phenyl-methyl acetamine) The technicial at the lab clearly stated this was cousing the red color in the ice and said it should not be used.

I forwarded these results to the customer complaint department at Whirlpool over 6 weeks agao and they still will do nothing to fix the ice maker. I cannot believe how bad the customer service is - even when clearly this is a problem directly related to the ice maker and there are potential health and safety issues. I will never buy another Whirlpool product again and will make sure that everyone I know - know about there poor service and lack of concern for their customers safety. Spent 2700 dollars for a product that does not work. Health concerns for my family. And loss of work to let tech in for service call. 500 lab fee for water testing. Lots of hour on the phone with Whirlpool.

Allyson of Van Nuys, CA May 21, 2009

Freezer in my Kitchen Aid Model #KSCS25INSSO1 was not staying constant. The appliance would become VERY hot!

I kept calling for service but the tech would say he could not identify the problem. After 4 visits and no diagnosis the Maytag said they would not send anyone else out to fix it. They did give me another name of an approved service company and at my own expense I had them come out and tell me to unplug my refrigerator immediately because if I did not it would surely cause a fire. This new technician said that the main control board needed to be replaced as well as the condenser pan motor.

There should be a recall on this refrigerator. I have had the ice maker replaced 2X already and now this appliance is a fire hazard.

Deborah of Lakewood, CA May 17, 2009

Our Kitchen Aid side by side refrigerator, model KSRB25FKSS purchased new 11/21/02 caught fire at the relay which turns on the compressor yesterday. In the middle of the night I happened to be awake and smelled the electrical components burning, then upon investigation noticed smoke in the kitchen. Fire dept. came out, they could smell components continuing to melt.

I notice Maytag has a major recall due to the same problem. Thankfully no damage to the house. Extended warranty purchased covered replacement part.

Anna of Leander, TX April 17, 2009

Anna of Leander TX (04/17/09)
We purchased the kitchenaid bottom-mount refrigerator model KDF A25 ERSS in January, 2006. We had 3 service calls within the first 6 months that we owned it. It seems the electronic control was faulty and it would just shut off without warning. Not even the built in alarm sounded.

Now, March, 2009 it is off again. While it is still under warranty, this time service from Conn's has been very slow. We are going on a month with no refrigerator, no offer to compensate, no phone call from a manager. We have been calling them a couple of times a week to get updates and parts and to voice our frustration with the service and product. Now I'm looking into the Texas Lemon Law. It is unacceptable to pay so much for a product and have it turn out to be a real disappointment.

On the 4 occassions when this refrigerator has gone out (twice around holidays) we have had considerable food loss. This last time our family of 7 is not only out the ruined food, but we have pushed ourselves beyond our budget having to eat out, running to the grocery store daily.

Beth of Jackson, MI April 12, 2009

Beth of Jackson MI (04/12/09)
I purchased three stainless KitchenAid appliances when I built my home in 2000. Each one has been an incredible disappointment. I have owned several homes, and never before experienced the problems I have had with my KitchenAid appliances, no matter their age. On the side-by-side refrigerator, the clear plastic butter cover inside fell off, as did the two rollers holding the bottom drawer. The push button pad on the face of the refrigerator cracked, and now has a hole in it. This push pad is rarely used! About a year ago, the dishwasher began leaking all over the tile floor. Fortunately my husband was able to fix it.

Upon inspection, we discovered that the problem was caused by improper installation of parts. The internal disposal retaining spring was not properly installed, causing the housing to self-destruct over time. Also, the sound deadening material was installed using glue that could not handle the heat of the dishwasher; therefore, it melted and fell off. The dishwasher rack parts do not hold up.

The Superba combination Convection/Oven wall unit has been problematic since received. The first month we owned the oven, the door spring broke. The repairman KitchenAid sent out stated he did not know how to fix my oven, but KitchenAid refused to use anyone else. In the process of looking at the oven, he broke the light. After this repairman repeatedly failed to correct the problem (he did manage to swear in front of my 1 1/2 yr. old), another company replaced the door spring. They left the parts for the light, claiming they would return. It never happened. It took approximately one year to get the door spring fixed, and it broke again a year later.

KitchenAid finally admitted that this was a known safety issue, but has refused to correct the subsequent breakage. Today, I used the self-cleaning feature and the oven is permanently locked shut. No amount of effort will dislodge the lock. I now have a very expensive stainless and glass facade in my kitchen posing as an oven. Finally, the handles on the oven unit and refrigerator are not truly stainless steel. They are an imitation stainless layer, which has now begun to peel, exposing the plastic beneath.

The only kitchen appliance I own that has not failed is the glass cooktop, which is thankfully not a KitchenAid. The quality of KitchenAid products does NOT live up to their reputation. The parts are under-engineered, the customer service reps. we have dealt with have been inept at best and sometimes downright dishonest. On the oven, they attempted to refuse to cover the service work, even though the oven was within its warranty period. I would expect that the service-free life of a major kitchen appliance would be at least 10 years, if not more, especially at the price of the appliances purchased. These appliances have cost me over 1000 per year of ownership. I will NEVER purchase another KitchenAid and I will discourage others from purchasing them as well.

Dishwasher repair parts cost over 150. It took several weeks to receive the correct parts, due to the fact KitchenAid repeatedly chose to ship parts other than the part numbers requested. Cost to repair oven and refrigerator not

Stephen of Bend, OR April 3, 2009

Stephen of Bend OR (04/03/09)
On 2/23/09 I detailed the problem I had with my KitchenAid KSCS25INSS00 refrigerator. The cavity liner had cracked and the repair/patch had failed. On 4/2/09 KitchenAid replaced my refrigerator at no charge. I was successful in getting the replacement refrigerator because i was persistant and consistent in my approach: I explained to them that they could do the 'repair' but that it was not a liner repair but a bandaid that covered the problem and made it impossible to determine if the failure was progressing or not. SMC plastic cannot be repaired through an application of glue to its surface.

I explained that i was taking my claim to small claims court. The warranty says repair or replace. If they can't repair--if they can't replace, then they are voiding the warranty. I wrote letters to the service contractor, the vendor (with an apology that I knew the problem wasn't theirs), and the manufacturer detailing my intent. I asked them to imagine any judge agreeing with their point of view: the problem was purely cosmetic and to be expected to occur from time to time. I told them it was more likely that the judge would agree with me that the extra money spent for a premium appliance was not for cosmetics but for quality. That the 'repair' was really an attempt to get the unit through the warranty period so I would have no recourse. That I would NOT find a single appliance repairman who would warranty their fix as a real repair.

The Whirlpool service rep I spoke with in late February told me he would call me back. Twenty minutes later he called me to authorize the replacement. Fifteen minutes later the called again with a replacement model for approval (the original model was no longer available) and the name of the company who would replace it in seven to ten days. It took seven days. I have a new refrigerator. The entire process from start to finish--when we first saw the problem until the unit was replaced--took just over two months and I spent nothing for an adjustment or service.

Don't take NO for an answer. A failed cavity liner is a manufacturing defect and not a cosmetic problem. It CANNOT be repaired--I deal with plastics in my repair business and I know. Don't get hysterical--be firm, consistent, and document everything for a small claims action. If Whirlpool doesn't respond, believe me, the court will. Focus your anger on Whirlpool==not the dealer or the service company. The manufacturer is the problem. Good luck!

Les of Brampton, ON April 2, 2009

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