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Ruth of Frederica DE (07/15/08)
My kitchenaid blender which I have had about 6 years but rarely used, model#KSB3WH3. THE RUBBER device on the top of the blender base (machine) totally failed on me while blending.
The blender was expensive and I wanted to purchase a blender which would last especially since use was at a minimum. Now I will have to find a replacement part, hopefully, or replace the blender.
Marie of Mississauga OTHER (07/11/08)
Below is the letter I wrote to the Personal Edge on the repair (the attempt) of my two year old Kitchen Aid mixers.
Dear Personal Edge I would strongly recommend you looking into the job qualification and competence of one of your Repair Centers located in the Erin Mills Town center, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Being Kitchen Aid's designated repair/maintenance rep., they simply could not repair the two(2) - two year old Kitchen Aid Mixers.
What's worse was the store manager lied to my wife twice claiming the mixer was perfectly fixed. Twice ! we returned to the store to pick up only found out the Mixer not only just ceased functioning, now it actually generates smoke and sparks when plugged in. Despite the emotional eruption and disppointment, we took the machine back and is considering whether sending it to your other locations thinking maybe this time we'll have better luck, or, just simply put it out in the front lawn as recyclable garbage. This email will also go to Kitchen Aids' customer care. Regards,
Harlan of Becker ME (07/03/08)
I used my mixer 5 times in 3 years for about 15 minutes each time and now the speed control will work in only low and hi there should be a recall on this part but apparantly not.
Winifred of Boynton Beach FL (05/27/08)
My KitchenAid Stand Mixer Model KSM 90 WH broke down. The motor continued running, but failed to rotate the beater. The appliance is 2-3 years old.
We called KitchenAid who told us that there are only 3 authorised repair centers in all Florida, none near us. They said they would supply a carton for shipping the appliance to them at a cost of $32 and return to us, after repair (for an unknown charge). We enquired of a number of local unauthorised repair services, and quickly found out that none were willing to repair our KitchenAid appliance. We have concluded we don't wish to throw away more money on such a faulty appliance, and are determined NEVER to buy another KitchenAid appliance.
Silvia of Calgary OTHER (05/12/08)
I bought a mixer on November 2006 and last month I bought an attachment which did not stay in place. I took my machine to the repair shop and they told me that the machine was factory defective, that the screw where the attachments go was off.
I contacted Kitchen Aid customer service and talked to the front line employee and the supervisor who told me that I was out of luck, even if it was factory problem, since the machine was over one year old. They were not willing to do anything about it so basically I have this expensive machine that I can only use for mixing.
I have spent $400 dolars for a bulky mixer with not many uses.
Lori of Kenosha WI (05/07/08)
Kitchenaid Hand Held Mixer. Blades came apart and broke after 6 uses.
None...thank goodness I was finished with my baking!
Mimi of Petaluma CA (03/17/08)
Yet another health hazard! My KitchenAid mixer is leaking like the Valdez--but not in Prince William sound. It is leaking in my baked goods! What is this company thinking? I feel like catering an executive lunch for the folks in the highchairs at KitchenAid. Let them get exposed to carcinogens (cancer-causing). I would like to see a class-action suit against KitchenAid for their lack of acknowledgment of the problem--and correction thereof.
I MAY HAVE GOTTEN CANCER from eating baked goods having been tainted with oils leaking from this mixer.
Suzanne of Marcellus NY (02/21/08)
My husband purchased a KitchenAid Classic stand mixer for me for Christmas five years ago. I had wanted one for a long time, and I was delighted to have this top quality machine in my kitchen. For the first four years it was used quite moderately, the only problem being the breaking of on/off plastic cover cover for the knob. I wasn't too upset about that, but when I started taking a bread baking class and began using my KitchenAid to mix the dough, the metal band around the top of the mixer (below the name) fell off into my dough on my first attempt at kneading. Then when I tried to remove the stainless bowl to clean it, the kneading action had wedged it so tightly that I had to call my husband to help me release it. I e-mailed KitchenAid and had a back and forth conversation with Ian who quoted the company policy of not offering any help beyond the one year period. I am so disappointed in this machine, and I really don't want to have to buy a new one. If I have to purchase another mixer it will never be a KitchenAid.
There has been no economic damage yet. that will happen if I have to buy a new machine!
Edward of Pincourt OTHER (02/07/08)
We purchased our KitchenAid Stand Mixer in 2004. We chose the more expensive KitchenAid brand because of the general consensus that it was the 'Best' on the market and would last you a lifetime. While my wife was working we only used the KitchenAid 3 to 4 times per year, but since November 2007 it has been used more often. Well, in mid January, 2008, while the KitchenAid was being used, it started to leak oil from various places around the motor head; and oil dripped into the mixing bowl from the beater shaft. We called KitchenAid's Consumer Interaction Center 1-800-461-5681. After explaining we had an oil leak we were informed that we had to take the machine to one of KitchenAid's service centers to have it repaired; we were given a local service center telephone number. When we took the KitchenAid to the service center we were informed that this type of oil leak is 'common' especially when the machine has not been used very frequently. We were advised that the motor head gasket dries out when the machine is not used very often, and then subsequently leaks oil. We were advised that it was necessary to run the machine every few months even if not using it to cook with, simply to prevent this motor head gasket from drying out. We were given an initial estimate of $90 to repair this leaking gasket.
We asked for a final estimate, so 3 days later we received a call stating it would cost $116 plus applicable taxes to repair the KitchenAid for a total of $130. We would then get our KitchenAid back in another 2 weeks. Obviously, we were not pleased with the bill of $130--especially for replacing an original fitted faulty gasket. (Gaskets are designed to seal irrespective of usage rates.) We again called the KitchenAid Consumer Center 1-800-461-5681 and were informed we need to contact the Canadian Service Center at 1-800-807-6777 to see if there had been a product recall to fix this known problem. We called and were promptly told there was not a recall for replacing this gasket as it was not a repetitive problem.
We then inquired if they had visited Consumeraffairs.com as there were many reports of similar KitchenAid Stand Mixer failures. The answer we got was that this site was not a reliable source for reporting product failures and rather arrogantly continued to state that if there was a product quality problem, KitchenAid would address it. We were then abruptly told my only option was to have the machine repaired; end of story! As you can imagine we will never purchase another KitchenAid product and will refer anybody we know who is going to do so to log into Consumeraffairs.com first.
The repair of the originally fitted faulty gasket will cost us $130, which is a third of the original purchase price of the KitchenAid; and we would be without the machine for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
Amanda of Belleville MI (02/06/08)
Approximately ONE month after the generous one year warranty on my $300 kitchenaid mixer expired, it has stopped working. Since purchased, I have used it about 10 times. This most recent time, I was mixing pudding! The mixer works for about 10 seconds then fails, if I switch the speed it will start to work again for approx. 10 seconds and quits again. I e-mailed kitchenaid to ask if this was a common problem or something that could be fixed, and all they offered me was Our records show the warranty has expired on your mixer, if you can prove otherwise please provide us with a receipt to prove so, otherwise, your out of luck (well I added that last part but that's basically what I was left with). I purchased a Kitchenaid over a sunbeam which was half the price because I was under the impression that Kitchenaid was THE BEST. I will never purchase another kitchenaid product and I will make sure that every single person I know hears of my story.
I paid $300 for this machine 13 months ago. I am no millionaire, this was a huge investment for me, I had to convince my husband that this was worth half a weeks salary. I thought I was buying the best. So now I am out $300, and maybe more if I am forced to have it fixed since I refuse to have a $300 investment go to waste after hardly a year, even if at my own expense and without the help of kitchenaid.
Colleen of Weston WI (01/20/08)
My one-year old Kitchenaid Classic mixer's motor burned out today. This is my fourth machine in 32 years. The first machine lasted 25. My last machine was returned to the company after one month due to a defective motor. The quality of this product has declined significantly. I will be buying a new mixer, but it certainly will not be Kitchenaid.
Don of Cinti. OH (01/16/08)
Kitchen Aid stand mixer--yes, another oil leaker. Is it just me, or do most things built in the USA leak oil? I will not say the company name, but that company's motorcycles are known to leak oil, also.
I cannot even find a manual to help me repair the mixer. I usually try to fix things myself.
John of Ashland OR (01/11/08)
Our three year old KitchenAid Pro 5 Mixer, model KSM50PWH, stopped working. We use it about once a month. Repairs will cost over $100. The total cost of ownership would then be $450, and we would have used it 30-40 times. That's about $12-$15 per use. No more KitchenAid products for me!
Wasted $350 on poor quality equipment.
Kari of Placerville CA (12/28/07)
My KitchenAid mixer has been leaking oil from the motor area for over a month now. It literally drips whenever it's in use. After reading all of the complaints, it sounds like KitchenAid needs to recall a bunch of them. I contacted them and was told it was not under the warranty and I could drive over an hour to have it repaired. I am frustrated!
Nancy of Gulf Breeze FL (12/18/07)
My kitchen aid mixer is 4 years old and has only been used 3 times at Christmas until this year. When I started to bake this year, oil started to leak from the motor. Of course the cake was no good. I then started to look around for getting it fixed. The cost of repairs is not worth it. Considering what you pay for the quality of kitchen aid, you would think with all the complaints of this problem the company would make good for their poor quality of parts.
I now cannot use an almost new machine.
Russel of Brick NJ (12/17/07)
I got the KitchenAid Professional series stand mixer about this time last year, mostly for the holidays. When I was making my gingerbread dough, the motor stopped for a second, then jerked really quick, then resumed normal speed. I thought maybe it just got stuck and sped up quickly to free itself. Then I was making the cream for decorating the gingerbread men, at speed 2 (of 10), suddenly the mixer went out of control at an ultra high speed and splashed the cream everywhere. Now the mixer only operates at this rediculous speed.
They seem to want to cover it with the warranty; but since I don't have the receipt I have two options, have them send a refurbished model - or try to get the store to get me a receipt and they'll send a brand new replacement. Currently I am waiting to see if the store can help with the receipt. I will only be satisfied with a brand new replacement; but either way a brand that boasts it's high quality and reputation should not have such elementary problems. I will be looking at other brands in the future. I love the episode of How It's Made when they said something like It only takes a few hours to make the mixer, but it's built to last a lifetime. Whose lifetime are we talking about?
Frances of Maple Ridge OTHER (12/13/07)
I purchased an Artisan Kitchen Aide standing mixer and used it only three times and the gears are stripped and it now makes a grinding noise. I am afraid to use it! I did a check on the internet and was shocked to find countless complaints about the mixers with the same (and more) problem. Plastic gears that melt and strip (as mine has done) and leaking oil! I am angry as I feel I have been taken in by a name and promises of high performance. I read countless complaints of being charged $89.00 for a plastic gear replacement (just the part, labor not included) which will only break yet again. I am really disappointed in the company for selling a product they are well aware is defective. I am not going to allow them one second of my time to put me through what others have reported online. We will look for a honest company with true professional standards that can supply us with a mixer that deserves our hard-earned money.
Rebecca of Pinckney MI (12/11/07)
Mixer is leaking oil from the motor and could be harmful to someone health.
There been a number of complaints. But nobody seen to be responding.
Martha of Milwaukee WI (12/03/07)
My 12-cup heavy duty KitchenAid stand mixer jammed while kneading a batch of bread dough. Now the motor clunks and doesn't work. It's bad enough that a quality appliance fails, but the lack of service availability is unreal. I live in Milwaukee, a large city, but KitchenAid cannot recommend a local repair shop. And the local repair shops that I've called will not touch KitchenAid mixers. So, I have to take it to Madison (over an hour drive) or ship it, and that's a lot of money. Or maybe I should just replace it?
Jonathan of New Haven CT (12/02/07)
We bought a Kitchen Aid blender a couple of years ago (with a screw-on lid), model number ksb5wh. It is of good quality except for the rubber seal rings which prevent spillage when the blender is running. Those rings have broken, preventing us from using the blender without massive spillage. When we contacted the company they said they would not provide replacement rings for blenders and that we would have to purchase an entirely new model. We feel we have been cheated by the company into purchasing a new model because they refuse to provide simple repair parts to the one we already own.
Kelly of Altona NY (11/16/07)
I was just checking the web to see about our unit leaking oil. Your site was the first one I looked at and that was enough. Is there a recall on these kitchen aid mixers or what? Its a joke if there isn't. As like so many we barely use the mixer.
Steven of Youngsville LA (11/13/07)
A person spends extra money thinking that they are getting a better product. NOT with Kitchen Aid Mixer, KSM150. We use our mixer 2-3 times a year to make cakes and candy for the grandkids. This Nov., 2007, we had to throw away a cake because OIL leaked from the motor. The cost of parts are extremely high, and if I can not repair it, how much will labor cost ? I am extremely dissatisfied with this Kitchen Aid Mixer.
We have loss of baking supplies, loss of time and effort, cost of new mixer.
Antoinette of Branford, CT (10/13/07)
To my disappointment within two years my KitchenAid mixer started leaking motor oil. I was told it was due to lack of use!
I use my mixer at least once a week. I didn't realize that I had to run it everyday. If that is the case that it should be clearly marked in the booklet or on the box BEFORE you purchase it.
I now have read the complaint reviews about KitchenAid and to my dismay several other people have had the same problem. Sounds like an unhealthy defect to me.
Rebecca of Canton GA (10/01/07)
My KitchenAid Mixer Model #KSM150PSCV was purchased on 5/1/04. It was given to me as a gift from my husband after moving into our dream home. I have always wanted a KitchenAid Artisian Mixer and he surprised me with one to match my granite counter tops. Recently, I was making a pound cake and noticed dark dropping in the batter. At first I thought I had spattered vanilla extract but realized that I had not even added the extract.
I stopped the motor, smell and tasted the dark substance. It was motor oil!
Of course, the cake was ruined. I got out my warrenty, called a KitchenAid representative and was informed first that the oil was harmless. They informed me that they could not replace the mixer and informed me that they had no service center in the Atlanta area. I could return it to them. They would send me a box to pack it in. After their evaluation, I must choose to either let them repair it...it could be $30, it could $100...if I chose to let them repair it, they would not charge me for a diagnostic fee. If I didn't want to have it repaired, they would charge me the diagnostic fee and shipping fee to return the unit. Now if I didn't want to return it, they told me they could sell me a reconditioned unit for a certain price. I could not believe the audacitity...knowing that if I didn't want to pay for the return if it cost more than I thought was appropriate for repair, they would sell me a reconditioned mixer...I guess maybe my very own!!!
Catherine of Newcomb NY (06/21/07)
I bought the mixer to use only when the holidays come around. I never even made a batch of cookies in it. I used it about 20 times and it disintegrated on me. I took it to a regular repair center to be fixed and they showed me that the bushing had shattered and the shaft was bent. When I sent it back to the company for repairs, they said it wasn’t under warranty any more as I didn't drive 6 hours to one of their repair centers.
I asked for a letter of explanation of what exactly what caused it to disintegrate and they said they couldn’t do that. I am a 73-year-old woman and once the mixer came and was put on the counter, it was never moved. It was a heavy-duty 6 qt. mixer used only for light mixing.
Dana of Reedsburg WI (03/18/07)
I bought a kitchenaid stand mixer online from Kohl's in Jan. 2003. The mixer has only been used maybe four times a year and leaks oil. I was told it leaks from standing from a Kithenaid rep. when I called with concerns. My Mom and Daughter-in-law both have mixers. My Mom has not used hers for a couple of years because of health reasons and hers does not leak and neither does my Daughter-in-laws and she uses her very seldom. Seems to me that some of these mixers have a faulty seal and should have a recall. Instead I was told to take it to a repair place 70 miles away. I bought the Kitchenaid because I thought it was suppose to be the best mixer on the markest. My model is ksm150psbu.
Fred of Katy TX (12/14/06)
Our 5 qt. mixer needed servicing so I put it in our car and drove 27 miles one-way),
only to find the service center was closed. I called KA and was told there was no place in the Houston area (the 4th largest city in the U.S,) that services the KA and that I would have to send it to Michigan, at a cost of $35.
I sent it and, after a months wait, was told it would cost about $125 to repair. We decided not to repair and then were told that we would have to pay $25 for an evaluation fee.
It appears that all KA is concerned about is making money and forget about customer service. We will not purchase any KA products and will tell everyone we can not to buy one.
BTW, we just purchased a Viking mixer!
Bob of Tucson AZ (7/22/04):
My wife has limited use of her hands, cannot use a hand held mixer. She has (had) a Kitchenaid K series mixer which, after four years, failed. I discovered that a gear in the power train is plastic and had shattered and melted. I made an internet search and found this to be quite common.
I contacted Kitchenaid and was told that the gear was "designed to fail to prevent more costly damage". Kitchenaid would not replace the defective gear, offering only an address for replacement which is 110 miles away. My wife and I are both retired and $80 for a small piece of plastic seems abit steep. I even sent a letter to the President of Whirlpool asking his assistance and received no reply.
I try to "buy American" wherever possible, but with the attitude of Whirlpool/Kitchenaid, it looks like my wife will be getting a new Viking with an all metal gearbox, made in England. It is unfortunate that American manufacturers are so prone to underestimate the value of good will. I may be one person, but I will not be recommending Kitchenaid products to anyone from now on.
Since my wife cannot utilize the broken mixer, and since Kitchenaid/Whirlpool refuses to replace what is, in essence a defective part/assembly, we will have to replace the entire mixer and on a fixed income, something else will have to give. And, there ain't much leeway in the old budget nowadays!
Elaina of Forked River NJ (12/23/03):
I contacted KitchenAid and spoke to a Customer Service rep who informed me that my KitchenAid Stand Mixer was leaking motor oil due to not being used enough. He suggested that I needed to take it out at least once a week and run it for five minutes (Whether I used it or not). In turn I asked to speak with a supervisor and was transfered to Kim at extension 0504. I reiterated to her what was told to me and she said that although once a week may be a little much that what I was told was accurate. She then suggested to me that I should (now) run it for about five minutes then use it.
I expressed my concern of using a machine that leaks oil to mix my families food. No comment was made back to me. I also mentioned that although I did not have my receipt for the machine that it was registered with their company and warranty could be verified. I was then told that an outside company handles registration and that it was strictly for recall use and not for warranty. She then went on to say that that is stated in my user manual. I commented back that that was my mistake, however it seems a bit obsurd that KitchenAid would find it important to tell a customer about their registration but not about motor oil leaking from the machine if not used once a week.
She then said "Well, that's because it doesn't happen to all the machines, just some." It would seem to me then that this motor oil is more a defect then the norm. Bottom line is that although Kim after my being persistant agreed to send me not a new machine but rather a refurbished machine in place of my leaking mixer, KitchenAid still has a "We don't care attitude."
How in the world could a representative of a company suggest a consumer to continue use of a product that when used is leaking oil into their food? The reason I send this complaint is I really feel that this motor oil issue should be looked into for health reasons not to mention the potential of a fire when all the oil has finally leaked out of the machine. Obviously, some machines sold to consumbers are defective, yet KitchenAid does not want to admit or correct the problem.
You pay good money for what you think is the best and you get blown off. A big disappointment!! It would seem to me that they (KitchenAid) should have been more than happy to send a new machine in place of their leaky model and just be happy that their consumer didn't become ill from ingesting the oil.
Michael of Grafton WI (11/8/02):
I purchased a KitchenAid Heavy Duty Mixer (325 Watts) through my local Kohl's Department Store. I was willing to pay the premium price - almost 50% more than other KitchenAid mixers - because the box clearly listed it as a "Heavy Duty," �325 Watt� mixer.
After about 2 years of use exactly as directed in the user�s manual, the mixer failed. The repair charge was $89.19 for the plastic worm gear. By asking at the authorized repair center, I discovered that worm gear and the motor in the "Heavy Duty," �325 Watt� KitchenAid model was exactly the same as worm gears and motors in all KitchenAid models available at the time I purchased my mixer. They also stated that worm gear is the number one cause of failure in KitchenAid mixers. KitchenAid �Customer Satisfaction" (800-541-6390) corroborated this information and informed me that the �325 Watt� model only has a higher wattage rating because of the load placed on the motor - not the engineering or manufacturing specifications of the product.
In addition, they stated that, "�Heavy Duty� is a model name and has no more significance than my name, �Debbie� or your name, �Michael.�" I believe that by using the words "Heavy Duty," a power rating of "325 Watts," and charging a premium of almost 50% for that model, KitchenAid is guilty of false advertising. Both these terms have specific common usage meanings other than just model names and numbers.
KitchenAid intentionally used the terms to imply the common usage meanings so that I would believe that I was getting a high power, heavy duty mixer which was worth the extra money charged for that model. Their "Customer Satisfaction" office confirmed the facts above and refused to take any action to remedy my complaint.
I have now paid almost $360 for the mixer, accessories and repair for a mixer which is no more powerful or heavy duty than the cheapest KitchenAid mixer. Even when used as directed, the mixer cannot do what the manual says it can do. $360 is the approximate price of a new KitchenAid model which has metal gears ("for many years of service") and a much higher wattage rating. This should have been the type of machine I received when I purchased the "heavy duty," "325 watt" model. KitchenAid should replace my mixer with one of the new mixers. They are guilty of false and deceptive statements which caused me to pay more money even though the machine is no more capable than the cheap version.
Yet another venerable American icon has been cheated of its value. I will not buy KitchenAid again. If KitchenAid will not replace my mixer, I will find another vendor. How can I trust the specifications of their new mixer? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I will not be fooled again.
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