Complain about a product or service

Kohler High-Pressure Toilets

Kohler • High-Pressure Toilets • Shower Doors • Lawn Mowers

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.

"N" of Fujino-Machi, Japan (8/28/05):
In 1994 we installed three Kohler K-3394 San Raphael Lite toilets with Pressure-Clean system. The toilets have not operated properly over the last ten years, and I don't know how many times I have replaced interior parts at great expense here in Japan. Luckily we haven't had any overflows or explosions, but weak flush is a constant problem, together with water leaking into the tank.

The valve parts sets cost hundreds of dollars when they were available and are now not available at all, so I will be replacing the toilets as soon as I can find close replacement colors from Toto.

Bill of Fountain Hills AZ (7/25/05):
I purchased from the Lowe's Scottsdale, Arizona, store a top-of-the-line Kohler bathroom toilet, model name Rialto One Piece, model number K-3386. This unit was purchased and installed in December, 2004. For the past month, the toilet has malfunctioned in that the fill mechanism malfunctions and continually runs over the top of the maximum pipe. Many, many adjustments to the fill mechanism have been unsuccessful in getting the water to stop filling when the tank gets to the proper fill level.

Lowe's contacted your factory representatives and received instructions to check for sediment blockage. The blockage suggestion was not occurring, so the factory was contacted. Two representatives of your service department have indicated no replacement part is available and a replacement part will need to be manufactured. They are informing me as many as 28 days may be required to get the replacement part. I believe this kind of service, if in fact this is all correct, is totally unacceptable. Rest assured I won't need a reminder to steer clear of Kohler products, and Lowe's will also be under considerable stress for my future business.

Julian of Pittsburgh PA (5/20/05):
I have a Kohler Wellsworth elongated toilet which is 4-5 years old. After about 3 years I had occasional clogs which cleared with little plunger work. Recently it became more frequent and I have had the plumber here to release the clog twice. Each time he siad there is nothing wrong with the setup. He even took the toilet off its moorings to check the drain and the trap. The problem is the construction of the toilet.

He said he knows of at least 3 other customers with the same problem. I am going to have to purchase a new toilet. Kohler should accept much of the financial responsibility.

Timothy of Seattle WA (5/1/05):
Our Kohler 81100 Pressure Clean Flushometer Tank System Toilet exploded during the night, flooding our house. Looking at websites it is clear this is an ongoing problem and Kohler needs to recall these defective toilets immediately. Absolutely unacceptable. Further I understand Kohler does not offer replacement parts for these high-tech fairly new toilets.

Flooded our main floor and basement. Caused me to miss a day of work and we had to throw away many damaged items. We are hoping to salvage the carpet but do not know yet.

Sandra of South San Francisco CA (2/25/05):
Came home to a waterfall and flood in my home on 2/15/05 approximately 6PM. I entered thru our garage and noticed floor covered with water coming down walls and ceiling. Quickly went upstairs to find source of leak. Upon opening the door to the home the hallway carpet was soaked as "squish squish" sound came upon walking on it.

Followed to the bathroom area only to find chunks of china ceramic from the toilet all over the floor. The side of the toilet gone and the pressure tank of our Model 3404 had blown off.

Realizing that our hardwood floor was under the carpet I began to rip the carpeting off only to find the pad was also thoroughly soaked and approx 1/4 of water on the floor. I called Kohler the next morning approx 7:30 AM (PST) and spoke with Tonya (no last name given), but was informed I had called into a call center. I asked if anyone else had called stating their toilets had exploded and she stated yes and they are replacing the toilet as the company that made the pressure assembly is no longer in business.

Once I provided the serial number she said I would get a letter to take to a dealer and replace with a non-pressure toilet at no cost to me. I would not have to return the original toilet. In the meantime I have given thought on who is accountable for the added expense I have to bear. So, I called back and this time spoke with a Becky. Knowing that my name was already in the system I gave an alias name. Once again I told my story and she stated these toilets are being replaced. I asked why? She stated service parts are no longer available. I asked if anyone else called on this and she said no. I asked if she knew how this could happen and she said she didn't know. She then stated they had received calls from people with complaints on this unit.

I then stated my question as: Have you received calls from people describing my experience and now she stated YES. I then stated that someone needs to be held accountable for the extra damage and she then stated she would have me speak with someone else. Now Gary gets on the line basically telling me the same story about the parts no longer being available and Kohler will replace with another model. He stated this is Kohler's good will gesture. I said but what about the additional damage? I said this is only good will because it's a cheaper route to avoid claims.

I then asked if they have a claims department and how do I go about filing one. He said they do have a claims department, which corporate insurance covers, but again he can only send a letter and then I have to return the toilet so they can do an investigation.

Myra of Oceanside CA (1/27/05):
My Kohler toilet is not flushing well and I just read the complaints regarding the pressure-tank toilets like mine and I am worried mine will explode.

Deborah of Scotch Plains NJ (1/19/05):
I have three pressurized Kohler toilets in my home. One doesn't have enough pressure in it to make the water go down, the other makes horrible noises when it flushes and both of these have water in the tank, which I'm told should not be there. The third one so far hasn't been a problem.

I called the Kohler service and was told that the model was discontinued and that I should get replacement toilets. I am not sure what kind of replacement toilets they will be. Kohler will not bear the cost of installation. I am outraged that a company such as this does not have an instant recall on a defective product like this AND BEAR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION. I am not through with them yet.

Gordon of Camden ME (8/17/04):
Power flush toilet is 4 yrs. old and requires 3-8 flushes to clear bowl! Inside the tank, which houses the power tank, I see no adjustments to increase volume of water or do anything? I read here the serious problems others have experienced and concerned this malfunction may become more serious e.g. "exploding" or flooding the bathroom.

Joseph of Lynnfield MA (6/22/04):
I have a 811n Pressureclean Flushometer Tank System toilet. I have owned it for about three years. It has lost its pressure and is not working. I called Kohler and they informed me that the discontinued that model and do not make repair parts for it. I spent over $800 for this system. I also have read all of the horror complaints about the same system on the internet. I was told by Kohler that for $125 they would ship me a new tank that I could install on the existing bowl.

Although I felt that the should send that along for free and recall all of the systems that were sold I agreed to the deal. They told me it would be shipped in two weeks. It is now over two months and I have not received it. I have made several calls to many of their customer service reps (see contact list). They all have passed the buck and tell me that the supplier from Texas does not respond to their email requests.

Ellen of New Canaan CT (3/20/04):
We purchased an expensive custom-built high-end home in Fairfield County six years ago. Two of the seven toilets installed were Kohler high-pressure models. Last month, my husband called me screaming from the bathroom that he needed help. When he flushed the toilet, the tank lid lifted off as the pressure tank exploded, sending torrents of water all over the bathroom. As he frantically tried to turn off the water supply and mop water with every available towel within reach, he realized that he could have been seriously hurt or had a heart attack from the episode.

Conversations with various plumbing supply stores and plumbers indicate that it is common knowledge among the trade that these toilets have had many problems and that Kohler will only give you a credit towards the purchase of a new Kohler toilet, when absolutely forced to comply.

Edward of Verona NJ (1/8/04):
We were away on vacation and I received a call from the manager of our building. He stated that our toilet had overflowed and that there was water damage to our apartment as well as two adjacent units of our high-rise condominium. They turned off the water to the toilet and cleaned up our apt. I am not sure of the total extent of damages to the other apartments but we sustained damage to carpeting and clothing in an adjacent closet.

The carpet has to be replaced. The clothing had to be cleaned and the entire toilet replaced. The culprit is this toilet -- the Kohler 81100 Pressure Clean Tank system. When I checked the internet, I was shocked to learn that this unit installed about 1994 has a long history of explosive leaks. Our home insurance will not reimburse us for much of the loss sustained in our apartment.

Martin of Mercer Island WA (11/2/03):
Kohler Model 81100 Pressure Clean Flushometer tank toilet stopped flushing. Fortunately for me, I checked consumeraffairs.com before attempting home repairs and read about the "exploding toilets". I believe you saved me from potential injury and at the very least, a helluva mess. I'll make sure the dealer is fully aware of the problem with Kohler not standing behind their products and, for sure, will not buy another Kohler product.

Brenda of Winchester VA (8/18/03):
We came home from vacation a few days ago to find our Kohler 81100 Pressure Flush toilet literally spraying water out the back. The hardwood floor of the bathroom as well as the bedroom and family room in the basement have been destroyed as well as a treadmill, leather chair, etc. It is obvious to us now, after reading complaints on this website as well as others, that Kohler was well aware of the possibility of these toilets "exploding."

They are willing to give us a replacement toilet (only one specific model -- that they are probably trying to get rid of), which is available at the local Home Depot. BUT, we can't get it from there. We can only get it from one place within 100 miles, and they can't get one from Kohler for 5 weeks. We feel that considering the thousands of dollars of damage caused by Kohler's failure to make us aware of a known problem, the least they can do is make arrangements for a replacement sooner than 5 weeks.

Our hardwood floors in three rooms were destroyed. A treadmill was destroyed. The water leaking through the wall shorted out the intercom system and it no longer works. There is unknown damage to the ductwork, which was filled with water. We are going to be forced to make a substantial claim against our homeowner's insurance and no doubt have our premiums raised.

Lewis of Lido Beach NY writes (8/26/02): We purchased 2 Kohler K-3404 Pressure Flush Toilets when we redid 2 of our bathrooms. We installed toilets, sinks, showers faucets, tile drains, etc. -- all Kohler. That was in the Fall of 1993. Last week first one, than the second started making loud noises, eventually exploding and flooding the bathrooms with water. Fortunately we were home and able to turn the water off.

A call to a plumber than 5-6 plumbing supply stores led us to the Kohler distributor and then Kohler itself. We were told that the model toilets we had were discontinued, the company that made the parts was out of business and repair parts were not available. We were even told by Kohler service rep that these models were discontinued 10 years ago, before they were even ordered from them, oh well!). Eventually we were told that a 50 percent discount would be given off the purchase price of a new one although not the super flush, more expensive model. We have sent letters, e-mail, and phoned. A toilet particularly the "top of the line model" should not have to be replaced rather than repaired.

We are faced with the expense of $1520.06 to replace both these toilets. Not counting plumber fees. We are forced to use the Kohler line and super flush models due to the complete bathroom design we planned around Kohler. We have heard "rumors" of danger from both Kohler dealers and plumbing supply houses of possible injury if a pressure explosion took place. We are afraid that if this were to happen when someone was standing next to it when it exploded serious injury could result. We were lucky we were able to turn off the water before anything more than a water damaged vanity occurred.

A follow-up from Lewis:

This is a follow-up to a comment I placed about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday one of my Kohler High Pressure Toilets EXPLODED, sending shards of Porcelain and four chunks(5x7") of the tank into the wall and floor. The toilet moved about 1/2" over from where it was, the holddown bolts loosened and moved. The bathroom flooded and damaged the floor and sink cabinet.

Jeff of New Jersey writes: (1/8/02):
I have a 8-9 year old Kohler 81100 Pressure Clean Flushometer toilet. It worked great until the other night when we were wakened by a noise loud enough to be called an 'explosion'. Lifting the cover revealed a spout of water gushing out of the tank area. I turned off the water supply and poked around to find that a component either broke of or unscrewed, leaving a dime-sized hole for water to flood.

I called Kohler and eventually got thru and was told they do not make this model any more (surprise!). Not only that, but they have exhausted their spare parts.

Had this happened during the day, when I was out, my house would have been flooded. I now have to buy a replacement toilet and get it installed. Kohler, as an act of "good faith," would pay me $100 for the toilet. However the conditions are: (a) I must return it to where I bought it from ( a contractor 10 years ago - please !) and (b) I must buy another Kohler toilet. A similar model is 4 X this amount.

Henry of Pacific Palisades, CA, writes:
A pressure toilet in my house broke in the night and flooded the house, while everyone in the house was asleep. The water went from the second floor to the first. This could be much worse if it happened in the daytime or vacation time when no one is at home.

We have two toilets of this kind. They are now like two bombs at home and we don't know when they will explode. This is scary and we are very concerned.

This high-pressure toilet was made by KOHLER, labeled as "Kohler 81100 Pressure-Clean Flushometer Tank System". Please help and advise on what we can and need to do. Thanks a lot.

While I was out of town that night, my wife was scared to death to find the house flooded and the water continuing to flush out of the pipe. 911, firefighters and a neighbour helped to stop the water. Last few days, my wife often woke up at midnight with nightmare of floods.

If we were Henry, we would call a top-flight plumber and ask him -- not an interior decorator -- what kind of toilet he recommends. Then we would have him install two of them.

Tom of New York, NY (11/23/01):
Our Kohler 81100 Pressure Clean Flushometer toilet recently developed a weak, almost non-existent flush. Contacting Kohler I am told that this the company stopped providing parts to this toilet so I my only recourse is to buy a new toilet. Considering that a replacement toilet is more than $800 I find this a shocking position for the company to take. Normal toilets require but a few dollars of annual maintenance to keep them going for thirty years. How is that a company can market a product for double or triple the average original cost of similar products and then expect its customers to replace the ENTIRE product only a few years later when it needs routine maintenance?

I have four other identical toilets operating in my house and do not look forward to what will happen when they too develop problems. If Kohler has put out a defective product that is no longer supported in the market with parts, it should be required to bear the consequences -- not the customer.

Thomas of Berkeley CA (8/8/02):
We own a Kohler 81100 pressure toilet. A couple of weeks ago it stopped having any pressure. I contacted the company and was told that they are no longer supporting this product and there was nothing to be done other than to replace it. I find it difficult to believe that they expect that I would ever by another Kohler product again. I expected to buy replacement parts, not another toilet. I purchased this toilet to save money on my water bill and to help the environment not to replace it completely at my cost in less than three years.

I will have to purchase a brand new toilet and incur the expense of having it installed again. The current toilet is less than three years old.

Emilio of Aventure FL (6/11/02):
I recently needed parts for Kohler K-3394 toilets with 81100 pressure-clean system. I had been told by Kohler that they no longer make them, and that I would have to replace them. I feel they should provide the spare parts since they built them. I have five of these toilets in my house that came with the house when I bought it. Most of the houses in my 80 house development came with these toilets. Kohler should take responsibility for this problem.

I, and probably most neighbors, now have to replace 5 very expensive toilets, because Kohler no longer makes spare parts.

DePotte of Anna Maria Island, FL, writes:
I built and moved into a new home in Jan. of 1993. My water bills began to go up shortly after I moved into the house. I called the water company and plumbers on numerous occasions trying to discover the source of the trouble. Eventually I was told it was the toilet in the master bath. That one toilet has been a source of constant trouble from day one. I've complained to Kohler and had plumbers out here time and time again.

The customer service center keeps telling me to make minor adjustments -- which the plumbers have done again and again -- and the toilet is no better today than when I first moved in. I have to turn the water off by hand each time the toilet is used. I think the company failed to address our problem initially and when the problem was addressed it was treated as though it was a routine problem requiring nothing more than a small adjustment on the toilet. This attitude persisted until it was out of warranty. I've spent lots of money on plumbers to make repairs that failed to correct the problem. I've asked for a Kohler service rep. to look at the toilet on numerous occasions and they tell me there isn't one available.

This has resulted in high water bills, numerous repeat bills from plumbers, constant frustration. I can't go to bed at night without hearing the toilet cutting on and off constantly throughout the night. If I turn the water off so I don't waste water then I have to manually turn it on and off each time the toilet is used. The plumbers can't seem to fix it and they are from a store that SELLS Kohler products!

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?

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