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There seems to be a big problem with the Kohler high-pressure toilets. Best case, they don't work very well. Worst case, they explode and flood the house. In neither case is Kohler very interested in helping to solve the problem. Other complaints about Kohler products include their shower doors and lawn mowers.
Catherine of Pella IA (06/26/08)
We had a shower installed as part of a bathroom remodeling two years ago. The shower leaked through the side and into a wall and then ran under the floor. The whole area rotted out and now we need to replace the floor, baseboard and part of the wall.
The whole area rotted out and now we need to replace the floor, baseboard and part of the wall. We hired a different plumber to look at the shower and he said that the company now recommends caulking the area but didn't at the time of installation. We have had to hire a plumber and replace the floor.
Pete of Mt. Prospect IL (06/15/08)
This is really not an official complaint but just to report a problem with the Kohler K-3423 toilets I bought in 2004 which may or may not be a standard on all brands. I accidentally found out about this problem accidentally. The fill-up mechanism turned on while I was cleaning the toilet which means that the water in the tank dropped to the level that will trigger the fill-up mechanism. It could only mean two things. 1. The flapper could be warped that water could leak into the bowl, and 2. The leak is between the flush valve and the beveled rubber gasket. I called Kohler customer service and explained the problem and as a sign of good pr, send me a replacement flapper and gasket at no cost. Receive the items in 2 days and (correctly, carefully, diligently)install it. Further observation told me I still have the same decreasing level of tank water problem. The flapper was not the cause so it must be the gasket. After some analysis, I did the ff: 1. Turn off the water source. 2. Flush the tank up to the rim of the flapper seat. 3. Took the flapper off. 4. Observe the bottom edge of the valve seat and there it was, the silent drip, drip, drip coming from a gap between the tank and gasket. How can that be when the gasket is new and I installed it diligently, carefully and correctly (just hand tightening the big plastic nut at the bottom of the tank, to the point that the valve will not wiggle.
I had to disassemble the flush valve unit again and as I was looking at the big hole at the bottom of the tank, I noticed that it does not look like a perfect circle and voila! the circle has a deviation between 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch.
Since the gasket is almost perfectly rounded and the tank is not, the pressure on all points of the circumference would not be the same considering the beveled shape of the gasket, leak is highly probable as what has happened to mine. What I did afterward was just an experiment. I reverse the gasket installation. The narrow side of the gasket is now up and the wider/flat side is now down. It muted the purpose of the beveled shape but it did work. The drip, drip, drip is gone.
Not sure how many gallons have been wasted but i'm sure it is not minor. E-mailed Kohler about the problem to find out if I maybe entitled to a new replacement tank due to the nature of the defect. Still waiting for a reply.
Terrie of Vancouver WA (06/07/08)
We have built a home well worth over a million dollars. We wanted the best and added the Kohler Water Tile in the Master Bathroom shower. Since using this item means getting your head wet I did not use it but twice and the third time it fell on my husbands head. I contacted the company we purchased it from, George Morlan Plumbing in Portland OR. After spending $20,000 in that store I was given the run around and told we would first need to take the water tile out (plumber needed) and return it before it could be replaced. They wanted to see the product and make certain it was defective. I told them that was not going to happen in this lifetime.
I am an interior designer and not new to this way of dealing with suppliers. Instead I contacted Kohler and after several phone conversations they finally sent a replacement out to us. As of today, we have used it once to make certain it worked. When we came in from working in the yard we again found one of the 4 tiles sitting on the shower floor. This time at least, it did not land on my husbands head. No, our cats are smart but they did not pull out the tile. I will contact Kohler again tomorrow but expect very little if any help. The tiles are not really all they say and I find that it was not only a waste of time and money but a potential life hazard.
George of Corona CA (05/19/08)
In 1995 I installed a kohler San Rafael one piece toilet for a customer. Kohler # K-3394 (found on the bottom of the toilet lid) This toilet has the pressure clean flushometer tank system. Serial #T94F20198 ( # found inside toilet on flush mechanism)The color of the toilet is Kohler ice gray-95. Color chart can be found on Kohler web site. Something inside the toilet flushing mechanism gave way (broke) and flooded her house. Since the job is 50 miles away I needed to make sure the local plumbing supply house would carry the parts. I called Kohler and was informed that parts for this toilet are no longer available.
As a plumbing contractor this was a shock to me, that I couldn't get parts for a 12 year old toilet. List price for this toilet on Kohlers site is app.$975.00. Checked on the web and found other people have had their houses flooded by this toilet. Contacted Kohler and explained the problem. What Kohler is doing about the problem is they will send you out a new toilet to your house @ a cost of $150.00 plus tax. You still need to pay someone to install the toilet. Customer also complained about poor flushing action.Sorry I don't know all the years affected by the unavailability of toilet parts.
Flooded house
Irene of Madison Heights MI (05/11/08)
I have a Kohler elongated toilet K3402FB. This is the worst toilet I have ever had. The water inside the bowl is always running and I have had plumbers out several times trying to fix it. There are no parts to replace in inside and I have all gray in the bathroom, the toilet, bathtub, and sink are all Kohler. Everytime I try to call someone, they are no help whatsoever. I am 65 years old and need some help with this running toilet.
Barbara of Grayling MI (05/05/08)
Purchased two high pressure toilets, (Cimmaron's) Although they flush fast with less water, they by no means clean the bowl. There is a huge problem with the design, when everytime you have a bowel movement, you have to use a toilet bowl brush. We paid good money for these toilets and I don't feel we got anywhere near our monies worth.
We bought this name thinking we were getting quality. The original toilets, although low to the ground and they used more water, were sure a lot better as far as flushing goes. Now it seems we may be stuck with cleaning the bowl every time we go.
Morris of Norwood NJ (03/16/08)
Over the past several years, I have purchased 2 Kohler bathroom sinks and 1 acrylic bathtub. When I had a bathroom sink installed in 2003 everything seemed OK. I had another bathroom sink and tub installed in April 2005 in another bathroom. In 2006 I noticed that a small scratch began to appear in the sink installed in 2003. At first I thought I might have dropped something on it. Very gradually the scratch grew, and I realized that it was not a result of anything I did. It got wider and longer until now it is extremely unsightly and a germ attractor. It was obvious that this was a factory defect that Kohler attempted to cover up by reglazing, knowing full well that it would begin to show after a couple of years or so. My second sink has a pinhead sized red blemish on the inside in a very obvious position.
When I called Kohler, they said it was the contractor's responsibility to notice it, and they would do nothing at this point. They also refused to address the problem with the first sink. How could a contractor note such a small defect when the item is installed, with all of the dirt and dust flying around? My acrylic tub developed several chips on the part that is stepped on. I believe the skid resistant surface was applied incorrectly. That problem is getting worse. Again, Kohler disclaimed any responsibility. All of these items were purchased from different retailers and came to me sealed in their containers or crates.
Kohler refuses to admit any responsibility and refused to deal with me, the consumer. This matter will continue to be addressed by me. If there is anything you can do, it would be appreciated.
Patricia of Walnut CA (03/04/08)
We remodeled our kitchen a few months ago and bought all new appliances, granite counter tops, and a new (K-5898-4u-o) Brookfield white Kohler sink. About the third week after having the sink installed, I began to notice little rust, hairline marks just above the Kohler symbol--running up and down and one running across-- looking as if it was going to chip off. Then more started to appear at the other end of the sink, all in the center divider. I called Kohler and spoke with a Kohler customer care representative, Kathleen R. She assured me it was not a defective sink, but was most likely the granite company's fault if they hadn't installed it right; but they will replace it with no cost to me. (Wait a minute, why would they be so eager to replace it if it wasn't defective?) So, they sent me a replacement voucher to be taken back to where I purchased the sink (Pacific Sales.)
I called the granite company that installed the counter tops, and they assured me that they couldn't have damaged it by placing it on top of plywood and then placing the granite on top, since there is a gap between the two before sealing it with sealer. But they did tell me this is the fourth Kohler sink they have had to replace within a year, and they all had no luck with Kohler customer service. Kohler will give them a new sink but won't pay a cent to the cost of removing the defective one. The cost is all mine, and it says on their warranty that they aren't responsible for any removal of their product. So, I now have to pay for a cabinet man to come and cut the inside of my new cabinets so they can remove it from under the counter, remove the dishwasher, pay for a plumber to disconnect all the plumbing and then pay to have it all put back. This does not include what it's going to cost to have the granite company to remove the sink, which is going to take a total of about 3 days with all that has to be done--plumber, cabinet man, granite co. It's going to cost about $1000.00.
Shame on Kohler! They have a defective item, and they know it. I should mention... Kohler has discontinued the K-5898-4u-0 sink and replaced it with K-5942-5u-09. If anyone has remodeled a kitchen before, you know the expense and all the frustration and inconvenience for weeks at a time. Having to pay $1000.00 in addition isn't right. Shame on Kohler!
Mary of Arlington Heights IL (01/23/08)
I have just spent the second evening trying to unclog the Inodora Cimmaron toilet that was installed one week ago. I was told over and over at Lowe's that it was the best and was heavy duty! My husband is handicapped and this is the only toilet on the first floor. Supposedly this was rated the best by Consumer Report. We are now afraid to even try to use the toilet and we can't anyway as it won't go down!!
It is causing physical damage as my husband has one leg and cannot run up and down the stairs to the upstairs bathrooms to toilets that are 35 years old and are fine!!
Julie of Mckinleyville CA (01/15/08)
We have three Kohler Pressure clean 81100 toilets in our house. One completely quit working, and we have learned that it can't be fixed; instead we will have to replace it. I'm concerned that I've read reports of flooding, and wonder if I also need to replace my other two. Why is Kohler not taking responsibility for this defective product?
Broken toilet, have to pay to replace it and live with the fear that my remaining two will explode and/or flood my house.
Jerry of Rockford MN (01/06/08)
My tank is filling up with water. I have read the numerous complaints and it seems I will need to replace it or risk having a major problem.
So far it is water on the tile floor and some sheet rock damage.
H of Overland Park KS (12/19/07)
I bought one of Kohler's cast iron sinks from a local plumbing supply. The sink was marred by surface imperfections as well as color blotches in the enamel. Long story short, the sink was replaced countless times; each time the replacement sink was in worse shape than the previous sink. The countertop fabricator and contractor were both kept waiting as installation date after installation date was set--only to be moved back because the new sink that was delivered was worse than the one before. Kohler was of no help. Called customer service three times. The third time I found out the first two calls to them didn't even merit them filling out a complaint and forwarding to anyone in the company. I gave up as the customer service seemed useless. I even had contact with our local Kohler rep who was equally useless (the local plumbing supply and my own contractor even refused to have anything more to do with her).
Two months after they had my money, and on their 7th or 8th try, a sink was finally delivered that looked halfway decent. Here's the thing I'd like to get across to other consumers: If you're looking for a company that stands behind their product or who will work with you to keep you appraised of what's happening and why, then LOOK ELSEWHERE. Kohler will do nothing. They don't want to hear about problems and no one, I mean NO ONE, in the corporate hierarchy will ever respond to you. They prefer to bury their heads in the sand and twiddle thumbs or whatever else their doing up their in Kohler with their exploding toilets and other shenanigans that I'm finding out by searching these consumer sites. The corporate officers won't even write a letter to you to explain what's happening or to apologize.
After two months I finally got my sink...and about one month after that after reopening the BBB case, I did get an email that said they'd be getting a full explanation in the mail. Two weeks after that, I finally got an unsigned letter written on Kohler letterhead from someone in the Factory end. It was four paragraphs of about two or three sentences each, and all they said was they learned a lot by me bringing the problem to their attention and how closely my area representative worked with me. (She didn't.) But they had my money for over two months so I KNEW I'd get my sink eventually. But as for customer service: Forget it, there is none.
Olga of Baltimore MD (12/15/07)
Purchased and installed Kohler glass shower door 2 to 3 months ago. Followed installation directions exactly and everything was fine. At about 5:15 AM this morning, while everyone was sleeping and no one near the door, we heard a loud explosion. We went to investigate and found one of the two glass doors in a million pieces inside the bathtub. The doors were in the open position and the door facing into the tub exploded.
Thankfully, no one was injured. Our losses are basically to replace the door itself. Are these doors safe? Very bizarre, but that's what happened.
Franklin of Camarillo CA (12/05/07)
I also bought two new Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height toilets, and after 6 months of use, both of them have a problem. For no reason (no flush, toilet is on stand-by), the two toilets are filling up their tanks for about a second to four seconds every 45 minutes.
Who knows how much this will cost me, but again, as mentioned on the many posts in this webpage, when you buy something you expect it to work without any issues for a reasonable amount of time.
Judith Tarantino of Ventura CA (10/02/07)
Our kitchen sink is about 3 years old and has been showing stains in it for about a year and a half. I called Kohler and they sent me some kind of gel to use on the sink but it really didn't do anything. I have had sinks for 20 years that didn't show this wear and tear. I'd be interested to know if others have had this problem and if there are any solutions short of a new sink.
Don of Longwood FL (09/21/07)
Bought a Kohler K-3386 model toilet for a new house in 2001. The flapper always had problems making a good seal after flushing. After a few years I finally replaced the flapper, but the it has gotten worse. I now have to manually shut off the water after each use of the toilet. Of couse, I know how to use the Internet and now am aware that many other people are having problems similar to mine. Maybe Kohler will learn how to use the Internet and realize that their non-action in fixing these problems are going to cost them alot more in the long run.
I'm going to call it a day and go get some other brand. No more Kohler for me, thanks.
Michael Falcone of Allentown PA (09/11/07)
I purchased a Kohler Promaster sink faucet, model number K-6330: Manufacturer retail price $1283.00 in 2003. 1 week following installation I experienced problems. After 2 years of replacing parts, 4 rounds of vacuum seal replacements, Kohler agreed to replace the faucet in its entirety. After 2 years of approx $2000.00 labor costs, and now a new installation, the same problem resulted immediately following installation. Kohler's bottom line comment was: try another faucet.
Cheryl of Pacific Palisades CA (07/28/07)
We suspect that Kohler is sending out factory rejects to replace recalled toilets.
On July 9, 2007, I spoke with Lucas to tell him that our model K-3466 toilet was making a very loud noise. Lucas informed me that the toilet had been recalled and, for the price of $150, plus tax, Kohler would ship me a replacement toilet. The new toilet arrived UPS but, when the plumber came out on July 19, he refused to install it because it had a huge crack at the bottom of the tank. The crack did not extend to the outside of the toilet but the plumber was sure that water would eventually leak from it. Gary, at Kohler, informed me that they would send out another toilet but that I was out the expense of the plumber's visit and that I had to dispose of the reject. I asked to speak to a supervisor but got the same answers from Scott.
The second replacement toilet arrived and the plumber, with an assistant, came to install it on July 27. Once again the toilet could not be installed. The plumber stated that the toilet looked used but, more importantly, the base was broken and there was a large hole in the bowl. Perhaps the damage occurred during shipping but proper packaging could have prevented that.
My call to Josh, at Kohler on July 27, was no more satisfactory than previous calls. I was again told that Kohler was not responsible for the plumber's visit nor the disposal of the broken toilet. After protesting, I was transferred to Chris who is supposed to call me back on Monday to let me know if anything can be done. He still insists that they have no way of picking up the toilet but they might cover my plumber's bill.
Gerald of Middleton MA (07/05/07)
Not knowing my water bill has been 2-3x my neighbors I systematicaly checked my water hogs and found it to be my Kohler toilet with that infamous power booster 81100. I bought this in 1992 and God knows how much water it has leaked. I estimate $30.00 a month min. My wife and I are both seniors with normal useage but my water bill says I use 320 gal. per day which overloaded my septic system and caused overflow failure. Called Kohler not knowing there was a problem but to find a solution when they told me they discontinued that model in 1966 and gave me an option to buy a new toilet of $850 value for $150. At which time I agreed to the buy without signing any documents.
Charles of Batavia OH (05/02/07)
Purchased model K 3386 D one piece toilet, not inexpensive. Cannot stop water seepage from tank to bowl, have replaced flapper (part # 57-4995), same problem. Have extended arm that lifts flapper so it will reseat flat, to no avail. About every 20 minutes, bowl refills.
Increased water bills, due to wasted water, plus extra action for sewage system.
Barbara of Issaquah WA (04/27/07)
We built a new house with all Kohler products. However, I found when we moved into the house that the new Kohler toilets, termed 'comfort toilets' are taller than standard toilets and my feet do not touch the ground. I am 5'2 which is not outside the standard range for women. Thus Kohler has determined that women are not included in their definition of 'comfort'. Further I have arthritis and sitting on the toilet, when not touching the ground can cause me pain. As soon as we moved into the house and I realized the toilets were not standard I complained to Kohler. I spoke with two customer service representatives and they stated that unless there is a defect they will not replace the toilets. They refuse to address the issue that the fact that I cannot touch the floor is a product defect. They refuse to make any change on the product and have told me I have to pay for three new toilets. To me, this is lack of disclosure in not defining what 'comfort' means, discrimination against women, who are not as tall as men, and provides no redress for a disability.
I will have to replace three brand new toilets.
Bob of Oceanside CA (03/13/07)
I have read several posts regarding Kohler toilets. I installed a Kohler San Raphael a couple of years ago and it is JUNK! It takes at least four times to flush and is worse than the cheap toilets that were installed in my house. Kohler does not care about customers and have ignored all of my correspondence.
I especially like the stupid comment on this site that says: It takes about 10 minutes for a plumber to install a new toilet. The average homeowner can do it in 30 minutes. Why not scrap the thing and buy a new one? Right -- there's nothing you can buy that a new one won't fix! I have looked for a replacement and will mostly purchase a Toto, but it's a rotten shame! The Kohler was not a cheap toilet and any respectable company would stand behind their products.
Alex H. of San Diego CA (03/04/07)
Our Kohler toilet with a 81100 pressure system exploded yesterday. A plastic part that screws into the inlet of the tank broke off and started flooding the bathroom. Luckily we were at home and noticed very soon the water coming downstairs. We had drywall damage that needs replacement. I'll be calling Kohler tomorrow to see what can be done in terms of toilet replacement.
Michele of Lake Zurich IL (02/02/07)
We installed a mirrored medicine cabinet. It was very nice and a good price - $240? Only a couple weeks later, it broke. My Mother had opened the door and plastic in the hinge broke. When the plastic failed, it hit her in the face causing a red mark.
The door will not close and sticks out. The plastic left a red mark on my mother's face that went away after a few hours. Though if it hit her eye, she could've been blinded. Kohler did not care that this product caused any damage. The part is on back order and we didn't even get a letter of apology
Erik Koons of Arlington VA (01/22/07)
I bought a new Kohler kitchen faucet (K-10433) and it dripped from the second I installed it. The customer service rep said it was indeed an issue with the unit, not an installation issue. I said great, please send me a new one and Ill send this one back. They refused, saying they are onlu wiling to send a new valve. I said I am not a plumber and would have to hire one to put a new valve in. I bought a new unit because i didnt want a defective product. They said they could only send a valve. I responded that this would essentially double the cost of the faucet if I have to hire a plumber. They still refused to replace the product with a new one.
The economic damages will be the cost of hiring a plumber to fix a brand new product. Alternatively, the cost will be me uninstalling the product, driving it back to Home Depot, buying a replacement one at the same price or greater and then reinstalling that one. Thats assuming Home Depot takes the product back, which, at this point I don't know.
Ed of Denville NJ (01/16/07)
I have a model 81100 pressure clean flushometer tank system that has a minor leak and the water keeps running. I asked how do you adjust the tank to stop the water from running and was told the tank has no adjustments and has no replacement parts and that i would have to just buy a new toilet that the warranty is only 1 year. I said the toilet looks like it is brand new and that all I want to do is adjust the tank from running all the time and don't want to replace it. After giving the technical service rep 6 different numbers embossed into the tank and cover she said i still havn't given her the right number and she can't help me she asked for a serial number from a label on the back of the tank system that is impossible to reach or see. When I told her this she told me to send a picture of the label that's impossible to see without taking the tank appart. Otherwise she couldn't help me. I notice that there have been numerous complaint about this model number pressure clean flushometer tank system including tank explosions. Is this tank safe and has there been a recall on the tank that I am not aware of. I found the experience dealing with the Kholer representative completely unacceptable.
John of Glen Cove NY (01/07/07)
My plumber installed 2 of the KOHLER low profile toilets with the 81100 Clean Flushometer System when I remodeled & extended my house in 1994. One failed within a year and had to buy another model to replace it, the other has been a non-function curio piece, its SN 794B03616. We lived with it because we have 5 full bathrooms in the house but I was totally upset when Kohler discountinued the model but provided no spare parts. There werent exactly cheap at approx $800 each.
john
There were no physical damages. I lost $ 1,600 plus the installation for the one I replaced and of course no usage of the second.
Joyce Bynum of Sunnyvale CA (11/23/06)
I bought two new Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height toilets, just installed a week ago, and one is already stopped up! I wish I had held out for a Toto. I don't know what to do now - I can hardly afford to rip them out and put in new ones.
No damage - just annoyance.
Charles Hoffmann of Harbert MI (11/03/06)
I bought the Kohler bathroom fixtures 4 center set faucets (three sets) and one is wshowing signs of chrome discoloration. They claim the cleaner I used is the cause. All these bathroom cleaners are considered safe for chrome except obviously Kohler. I have used Kohler for over 50 years and never had a finish problem. I was told to use vinegar and water. I asked why that wasn't on the warranty.
Chrome discoloration after just one year and purchsed direct from the company! Kohler said I was stuck with this product.
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