Consumers Continue To Voice Frustration With Maytag

Maytag has a long history as an appliance manufacturer, starting as a washing machine company in 1893. Since 2006, the company has been a division of rival Whirlpool, and some consumers have noticed a difference.

"I have been a loyal customer in the past with Maytag because their products lasted forever," Carol, of Smyrna, Ga., told ConsumerAffairs.com. "However, I purchased a Maytag dryer in 2005 and the control board has gone out twice since then, costing me $270 for the first visit to have it repaired."

Down the tubes

Carol thinks Maytag's product and service has "gone down the tubes," as she puts it, and she isn't alone. Laurie, of Port Saint Lucia, Fla., says she purchase a 5.0 cubic foot Maytag Bravos washer in January and is less than satisfied with the results.

"The machine tangles clothing into such a mess everything has to be put in the dryer prior to hanging up to dry," she said. "Even with the use of pre-treatment many stains remain on our clothing and there are pin holes in cotton garments. This washer is now leaving what appears to be streaks of rust on our clothing."

Tracey of Henderson, Nev., said she did extensive online research last summer before selecting a Maytag Bravos. She saw plenty of reviews from people who were happy with the machine, but also from consumers like Laurie.

Should have paid more attention to complaints

"I guess I should have given more weight to the individuals who indicated issues with the product," Tracey said. "Because the majority of the reviews were positive or mostly positive, I went with this product. However, some of the reviews I read indicated that the washer was rough on clothes (I agree) and that the washer balled up the clothes into tight wads producing many wrinkles (it does). Some of the reviews also indicated that the dryer takes a long time to dry (it does) and that it does not get out the wrinkles that the washer causes."

Tracey said she wishes she could get her old washer and dryer back, even if they were less energy and water efficient.  Ryan, of Bullard, Tex., thinks new efficiency standards are why washing machines in general are giving consumers so much grief.

"Washing machines built these days, which have to live up to governmental restrictions on water usage, aren't worth the price you could get for scrap metal for them," Ryan told ConsumerAffairs.com. "I've owned a Maytag front loader for five years and spent more than it is worth to fix it on multiple occasions. There is no way any modern day washing machine will ever work as well as older units because of governmental water restriction laws."

Other appliances too

Consumers also seem to have some issues with Maytag refrigerators. Kenneth of Katy, Tex., said he bought a Maytag French Door Refrigerator from Home Depot a little over four years ago.

"About five months ago it started making a humming noise off and on, then the temperature started rising and everything was thawing out," Kenneth told ConsumerAffairs.com.

Multiple service calls failed to locate the problem, though technicians ruled out a faulty compressor, saying a relay might be at fault.

"Finally we were advised that it might be a fire hazard so we are leaving it unplugged," Kenneth said.

Recalls

Interestingly, Maytag recalled 1.6 million refrigerators in 2009 because of an electrical failure in the relay that turns the compressor on and off. The failure can cause overheating and pose a fire hazard.

A year later, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of 1.7 million Maytag dishwashers, saying an electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element could pose a fire hazard.

Like many U.S. manufacturers, Maytag in recent years has closed some of its American plants and shifted operations to Mexico. However, the company still operates a significant number of U.S. manufacturing plants.

Regardless of the source of the problems, consumers seem increasingly frustrated that appliances that once worked extremely well in the past, don't always seem to now.

"My husband and I purchased a Maytag Neptune washer and dryer in Oct. 2005," Mary, of Highland, Ind., told ConsumerAffairs.com. "The washing machine is shot. The repairman told us that the bearing assembly and seal, along with the stabilizer for the drum, needs to be replaced. The repairs would cost more than the $700 we spent on the washer. I spoke with Maytag, all they could do was offer an apology."