Sub-Zero Refrigerators Reviews

4,914,226reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified
  • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
  • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
  • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
Find a Best Refrigerators partner
2.1(210)

About Sub-Zero Refrigerators

Pros
  • Excellent food preservation
  • High-quality materials used
  • Responsive customer service
Cons
  • Frequent and costly repairs needed
  • Design flaws affect usability
  • High initial purchase price

Protect What Matters Most

Get Home Warranty Plans & Pricing

View Plans

Sub-Zero Refrigerators Reviews

Filter by Rating

  • (22)
  • (8)
  • (14)
  • (41)
  • (105)

Popular Mentions

    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Sub-Zero?
    • 4,914,226 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
    • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Recent
    • Recent
    • Oldest
    • Most helpful

    A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.

    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Sub-Zero?
    • 4,914,226 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
    • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 2 Reviews 35 - 65
    Verified purchase
    CoverageMaintenance

    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2023

    It worked fine for 6 1/2 years and then it started making noise. The “certified” repair people replaced the circuit board and the fan motor for $1200 which didn’t change a thing. It’s actually worse. This refrigerator can be heard 40 feet away and this has been going on for six months. It sounds like an old car is in my kitchen… And it sends out vibrations. It’s so annoying. Sitting 15 feet away from it you can hear a wind from the fan. And that’s after the repair. When the freezer compressor comes on there is a loud vibrating noise, and then hours groaning on and off and it runs constantly. Not only is it not any better after the replacement parts, it’s actually worse. It’s like they can’t fix it. Changing those parts was a guessing game. Now the “certified” repair is telling me all refrigerators make a noise. Really? That’s rich! If they change compressor that’s another $2000 because only the part is covered not the labor. I actually don’t know what to do at this point.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Sales & MarketingPricePunctuality & Speed

    Reviewed Feb. 17, 2023

    We are so dissatisfied with our $12,000 Subzero - It's a large refrigerator, standing 7 ft tall with two pull out freezer bins. It is NOT a side by side. But not only does it have a very small ice bin, but the control panel that has a pictures of 3 ice-cubes that you have to manually tap when you want the max ice, which is a small amount - We thought this 3 ice cube feature would keep the bin nice and full. But no...it resets, then goes off and back to the 1 ice-cube setting, so the ice maker automatically puts itself back on the lowest setting, with 1/4 of the small ice bin with ice cubes. You continually have to "know when" to press the 3 ice cube button and it still puts out a VERY LITTLE amount of ice and it does not make it fast enough even when it's on the 3 cube setting. There is no way to keep the 3 cube max ice setting, so the bin is always low on ice. We entertain and even if we have family over and 4 or 5 of us have one drink with ice, it's gone.

    In researching why SubZero does not allow you to keep the setting at the max ice setting, they say it is a "conservation feature" that we, as consumers, are not able to control. But...they allow you to buy a stand alone ice-maker if you need more ice. How does that make sense? How is that conservation? Sounds like a sales tactic. It's an expensive beautiful large refrigerator. This is a tiny ice-maker and we don't have the ability to make more ice - I guess that is Sub-zero's decision for us. I would NEVER buy this Subzero again. We have to go buy ice in bags. If you want ice, or want a tiny bin that does not fill, don't consider this refrigerator. We spent $12,000. We want ice. Sub-zero needs to do much much better.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Leslie increased rating by 2 stars.
    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsMaintenance
    After a positive interaction with Sub-Zero Refrigerators, Leslie increased their star rating on Feb. 20, 2023.

    Updated review: Feb. 20, 2023

    This issue has been resolved. The problem was a very small broken fan that was misdiagnosed by the appliance company.

    Original Review: Feb. 16, 2023

    I ordered my new $15,000 Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer in November 2021 and finally received it in December 2022. I was so excited to have this new refrigerator/freezer with external water and ice.. Except the freezer wouldn't get any colder than 40 degrees and of course wouldn't make ice. A Sub-Zero repair company was dispatched and put a new part in one month later. Nope, it still didn't work. Two more parts were ordered and now I've been waiting another month for the repair company to come back to install these parts.

    I called Sub-Zero claims to find out if I could get a new refrigerator/freezer, but they said that it would take another year for a new one if I chose to go that route. My choices were to wait for these parts to be installed and hope they work and will last, or wait another year for a new unit. I don't believe that there are no new units anywhere in the U.S. that I can receive and I'm not confident that this unit will be repaired and will last. So much for getting what you pay for.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Dec. 19, 2022

    I ordered a 42 in Sub-Zero refrigerator with ice and water dispenser on the door in October of 2021. Didn’t receive it until August 2022. Now less than 3 months post installation ice spewing without anyone touching it. Now ice and water dispenser locked up. Pure junk. Capacity inside the fridge is terrible. The design limits both freezer and fridge space. Now this ice projectile problem right before Christmas and no one to service it. I would have never purchased this had I known all the above. Pure junk and total waste of over 12,000 dollars.

    Thanks for your vote!
    TechPunctuality & SpeedStaffTimeliness

    Reviewed Nov. 20, 2022

    I have a 7-month-old Sub-Zero column refrigerator. The temperature went up to 56 degrees, and I did not notice the error message on the read-out until days later when all of the food had spoiled. I kept getting sick and did not understand why until I realized that the refrigerator had stopped cooling. There was a refrigerant leak, causing about a 3-hour repair. The same thing happened when I bought my last Sub-Zero 18 years ago when the condenser coil went out after only about 6 months. I will say that High-End Appliance in Atlanta provided great service, and I highly recommend them. They sent an emergency service tech out the next day.

    Thanks for your vote!
    CoverageSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed Nov. 11, 2022

    Purchased a 24 inch under counter Sub-Zero Wine Cooler in 2014 for over $3500 from Renwes Sales, was told by the sales rep it is the best product ever made, will last at least 20 years. Well 8 Years later the evaporator Coil is cooked. Cost of Labor to replace it $2000.00. I have a Whirlpool Fridge made in 1992, transported over 4 states, 2 Countries, works like a charm. Sub-Zero treated it like a Baby, cooked in 8 Years. Sub-Zero makes Junk.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed June 28, 2022

    When you buy a $12K refrigerator, wait MONTHS for it to arrive, and then within two months see the double doors misalign, the water dispenser start erratically dispensing on it own causing a flood in your kitchen, the drawers get stuck and dislodged, would you recommend this product to another? NOT EVER. I would kick this hunk of junk to the curb if it wasn't already bolted in. To add insult to injury, their customer service provided an estimate of at least one month for a technician to arrive and address and active water leak. DO NOT BUY!

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingRefunds & PayoutsStaff

    Reviewed June 27, 2022

    Ordered 10k Sub Zero fridge in June 2021, reps told me there may be a delay and delivery wouldn’t be until April/May. Ok, Covid delays… Fridge didn’t arrive in April or May, then given a absolutely for sure delivery of 30th June, 13 months after my order was placed and paid for. Called this week to arrange delivery, now told August 20! Product is good, but so are others, if I known they would not deliver I would have gone elsewhere. Kudos to deliberately misleading/lying salespeople for good job of taking my money and caring less about when the fridge would be shipped. Never again will I purchase anything from subzero, I can almost forgive the delays, but the blatant misrepresentation about delivery is inexcusable. So much better out there.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedMaintenanceStaff

    Reviewed June 17, 2022

    I would like to share my experience with the Sub-Zero fridge: Legacy Model - 36" Designer Over-and-Under Refrigerator/Freezer with Internal Dispenser and Ice. We had a brand-new subzero refrigerator installed in January 2022, and when we moved in March we found to our surprise that was not working. We were provided by sub-zero with a "specialist from Dalton service in Albuquerque ". He came and found a leak. After 2 weeks the refrigerator quit working again. Another trip from the specialist identified another leak. After 1.5 weeks the refrigerator quit working again.

    The third visit with the"the specialist" identified the third leak but at the end of the "repair session", the refrigerator was completely dead. No not only the fridge was not working but now the freezer too. "The Specialist" was unable to tell me why, but he told me that he is going to have the issue resolved on Monday. A week later when I called Dalton's office they told me that the next available visit is 3 weeks from now. When asked to speak with a supervisor I was told that the supervisor is on the other phone. I have reached subzero support by phone and email. Suffice to say they were completely unsupportive and unhelpful. In the last 3 months this fridge work for 3-1/2 weeks.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Oct. 30, 2021

    We just did a remodel and had a 36", I believe it was a 650 then. It had a single door, not French, and a freezer below. It still was good when we got rid of it, but thought we should use the same space but get the newer model. I had to buy two different refrigerator/freezer for two different homes we have this year. The other one was about $3900 and has more cu. ft than this taller Subzero model. I know it is cabinet depth but the Bosch has moveable shelves, not just laterally, but also they are divided in the center, so you can move one shelf in the middle to a different height. You have the ability to have shelves at different heights ie. if you have tall bottles of say champagne, you can have half the shelf lower, and half the shelf much higher to accommodate taller bottles.

    The subzero doesn't have the flexibility and the shelves are all one length; so if you wanted just a portion of the shelf to be for taller items, you can't do that with Subzero unless you dedicate the whole shelf to one long shelf with lots of room. The compartments on the door give me less space to put things in than my single door Subzero. Some of the door compartments are so narrow that I can get a single line of bottles in it only and some are smaller. My other refrigerator has a cold water spout inside the refrigerator, not on the door, which is great. I don't mind that ice and water aren't on the doors as they are potential problem creators, but on the inside of the side is quite convenient. The freezer compartment on my other refrigerator is far superior.

    Subzero has the real untreated stainless and is difficult to clean. The other unit I have does the newer finish so you don't have to constantly be getting out a chemical to remove the fingerprints. I think Subzero is resting on its great reputation but I think their merchandise is old fashioned and stale. I doubt whether I will ever need another refrigerator in my lifetime, but hope those that do read this review and know what to look for to get a better style and more useful refrigerator/freezer or I hope Subzero evaluates this review and redesigns the interiors. That can't be difficult in the scheme of things!

    Thanks for your vote!
    Punctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

    Reliable. We had a small problem with our ice maker and the Sub Zero company was very fast to take care of it and very professional. Other than that we haven’t had any other issues and the refrigerator is at least 10 years old if not older!

    Thanks for your vote!
    CoverageMaintenance

    Reviewed Sept. 4, 2021

    I purchased an $11,000 refrigerator. The freezer was broken. The service has been to my house 3 times and they still can’t fix it. The unit also makes loud noise at night. I would have never purchased this refrigerator but unfortunately it’s the only brand that fits in the space I have.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & Speed

    Reviewed June 3, 2021

    I purchased $25,000 + Refrigerator, range, oven, microwave & dishwasher from Wolf/Sub-Zero & qualified for their rebate program. It was difficult to say the least to register their products that they market but aren’t their line. Hours upon hours on the phone. After numerous run arounds & supposed reissues, I still do not have the promised rebate. Each time they ask me to wait 30 days & then up to 4 weeks for a reissue. It’s pathetic. I’ve moved 15 time in 35 years & have had 2 sub-zero refrigerators. They are no better than Whirlpool or any other brand. (Except GE, they are horrible.)

    I believe that SubZero Wolf rests on their history of quality & service which they fail to continue to meet. SubZero refrigerator has only a few options, you have to open the door for water or ice thus using more electricity. They have done little to keep up with the competition on consumer conveniences. Not worth the additional money unless you must. They aren’t who they once were. Their Great American Kitchen Event rebate appears to me to be a scam. Very disappointed.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 27, 2021

    Unit has been down for 2 weeks now. No replacement of food. Very disappointed!!! Called to ask for help but they are not very caring. Guess I made a big purchase and no service after the sale. Hopefully they will get me running soon.

    Thanks for your vote!
    PriceRates

    Reviewed Feb. 26, 2021

    Great big refrigerator for over 13 years. Key for its life is to put and frequently change a 10” by 20” air filter (rating 4) inside top big refrigerator where the compressor is running to minimize overheating and expensive clean up and repair service.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServicePriceMaintenanceRates

    Reviewed Jan. 26, 2021

    I have a Sub-Zero refrigerator 2 1/2 years old. It stopped working 2 times last year. Now again is not working and the service calls and parts are very expensive. I lost everything inside the refrigerator for the 3rd time. It doesn't worth the price of the Sub-Zero refrigerator vs the quality.

    Thanks for your vote!
    PriceMaintenance

    Reviewed Sept. 4, 2020

    Have had for 21 years. Very good. Not too many problems. Use private person to fix. Much cheaper. Mine is built in, really nice. I have enjoyed it, big nice size freezer room for everything. If I ever need a new one would buy it again.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Staff

    Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

    Excellent commercial grade fridge. Looks more than good enough (stainless steel), to blend in to a home setting. Rock solid performance. Excellent controls and a great freezer section. Model 650, with a bottom freezer. Twelve years on, and not a single issue.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Aug. 21, 2020

    The food in my refrigerator lasts longer so less waste. I have had many other brands over the years, but this is hands down the best appliance. I love it. It keeps everything cool and the icemaker works well.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Staff

    Reviewed Aug. 20, 2020

    Fridge is probably at least 15 years old; excellent in cooling, quiet, attractive, but there is no water filter to change, so don't know if there is one. Ice maker is very clunky, very noisy, spits ice all over the place, have to use bulk ice from inside the fridge; ice maker itself-very difficult to access; difficult to clean coils.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Profile pic of the author.
    CoveragePriceMaintenanceValue

    Reviewed Aug. 7, 2020

    When we bought the house it has a subzero refrigerator, it was 12 old and we replaced a new compressor and worked another 8 years until February 2017. We want to use other brand due to a new one cost about $12,000 to 13,000, but the refrigerator hole didn't fit others or don't look right, so we end up get another Subzero refrigerator hoping it last another 20 years. Just before the two-year warranty out, the water leak from the bottom, the tech came and clear it, the same time he found one of the LED light was out and replace the bulb.

    In May 2020, the drain clogged again and is out of warranty. My old one had not clogged once. The new has a filter there for the pure air system needs to change about every two years cost $55, this expense my old one did not have. Plus my old one door will close by itself, this one will not. After the door close, the air inside suck and will not allow to open at least five minutes, very inconvenient. It looks like the old one has better quality than the new one. With so far that much problem is not worth the money. We need to have longer warranty to cover the repair costs.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed May 22, 2020

    Doors don’t shut well including freezer drawer! If you leave it open all lights inside won’t activate! Worst investment ever! Don’t bother to buy! Angry at such awful user function! I’d actually say save your money.

    Thanks for your vote!
    PriceStaff

    Reviewed May 7, 2020

    The ice and water dispenser on outside of fridge will shoot out at people across the room, when no one is touching the fridge. It’s 9 month old. The repairman told us that this is a common problem, and Sub-Zero has no solution. They don’t know why these new, very expensive models are malfunctioning, but it’s not just us. Others are experiencing. Whole motherboard has to be replaced for the 3rd time.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Jan. 27, 2020

    We wanted an integrated fridge when we remodeled. Sub-Zero was the only brand that had a truly integrated model. The fridge works great but the freezer is a nightmare. I have had factory service done repeatedly on the freezer. The defrost cycle makes the ice defrost and then refreeze in a big glob. Food defrosts and refreezes over and over. Unless you want to use everything in your freezer within a week or less, you are left with unusable globs. The company says the fridge is working normally. Really? Our new Asko dishwasher starts almost every time you close the door when you are just loading it. They have replaced two sensors and it still does the same thing. It has leaked twice on our wood floor. It has been a terrible purchase.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Customer ServiceInstallation & SetupPriceStaff

    Reviewed Dec. 27, 2019

    We were hesitant to buy second Sub Zero refridg/freezer combination because of the loud compressor noises from their 2 compressor systems. However, the appliance dealer convinced us that the new ones had corrected that problem -- and in fairness-- they have. However, when I realize that the Sub Zero French door 42" model we did purchase cost more than twice what I paid for my first new car (a '64 GTO, by the way), I now feel I should have bought a new car instead! Nothing but problems, including a total replacement of the unit 3 months after it was first installed.

    First, the magnets embedded in the freezer door, used to keep the door snugly closed, were installed backwards -- causing the door to be pushed away from the front of the freezer. This caused the freezer to continually ice over and render the freezer inoperable. Next, the freezer door iced over on its skids -- causing a larger and larger ice build-up and, ultimately prevent the door from closing completely. Next, the gasket on the freezer door tore and had to be replaced. Most recently, the ice maker stopped working. A call to Customer Service indicated that we needed a replacement water filter. Unfortunately, their user manual CLEARLY states at least three times that the light on the display panel should be blinking -- and it wasn't. Customer Service representative said she was sorry, but the manual was wrong. Give me back my GTO!

    Thanks for your vote!
    Price

    Reviewed Dec. 22, 2019

    RIDICULOUS. A big company like Sub Zero can't even manufacture a decent water spout on the inside of the refrigerator door? Every time you go to fill up anything…better take a towel. When you fill your cup and pull it away, water continues to flow, so you now have to clean up water inside the refrigerator, inside the cabinets, as well as on you floors…EVERY SINGLE TIME. Horrible design. It's a decent refrigerator,,,,,nothing better than any other model, KitchenAid, Sears, Whirlpool. Sub Zero's are just overpriced. They used to have a lifetime warranty on them…then they were worth the dollar but not anymore.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Nov. 11, 2019

    My month old $13,000 refrigerator already has problems. I purchased the 42 inch side by side built in refrigerator. Has an ice maker not working properly. Freezes up and will not dispense ice and other times dispenses ice at will into the interior of refrigerator. The refrigerator interior is poorly designed and limi

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Nov. 10, 2019

    We love our Sub Zero. Very few issues over the decades but we are redoing our kitchen and are unsure about keeping this one or purchasing a new one. It’s a huge gamble! We clean the motor periodically and apply petroleum jelly when needed to increase the vacuum seals on the doors. Too bad we do not have a crystal ball!

    Thanks for your vote!

    Reviewed Sept. 10, 2019

    I chose a built-in all refrigerator for it's energy efficiency, and have a separate undercounter freezer. The Sub Zero is very roomy and well lit. Have had some issues with dark staining of the white etching on the glass shelves, (which removes mostly with cleaning). Bought in 2001, still going strong in 2019 with only one repair. Very easy to access/clean coils. Fits a huge pizza box on bottom shelf! Stainless steel face looks great. Can set exact temperature desired. No ice/water on door, too many things to break, and I prefer to make my own ice. Ice makers are notorious for problems, so I kept it simple.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Price

    Reviewed Sept. 7, 2019

    Expensive, but worth it. Had to spend about $1500 to repair and switch to new refrigerant, but should be good for another 30 years. When you buy a Sub-Zero, you should never have to buy another refrigerator in your lifetime.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Loading more reviews...

    Sub-Zero Refrigerators Company Information

    Company Name:
    Sub-Zero
    Website:
    www.subzero-wolf.com