Whirlpool Water Heaters Reviews

I have one of the Whirlpool Flamelock water heaters with the useless 9 year warranty. The pilot wouldn't stay lit so I called the gas company to make sure I had gas. He chuckled when he saw the unit and told me I had purchased it at Lowe's, right? He said he has been going all over the area with the same problem and not to expect any help from Lowe's. Also, I'd better be handy because Whirlpool only sends the parts, they won't pay to install them. So I called Whirlpool. After opting for the $18.00 free part, I called Lowe's. The Manager I spoke with has not heard of this problem with these water heaters but unfortunately, there is nothing he could do to help. Needless to say, I will not be buying Whirlpool products ever again nor will I buy an appliance from Lowe's. I would love to be part of a recall of these units if there is one!

It only takes looking at this website to read complaints about this water heater. Thermocoupler failure--yes, I had to pay shipping for a new part. I'm on my fifth day without hot water. If a recall was needed why was I not notified? I'm afraid I'm going to have to buy a new heater now after reading the complaints. I don't want this piece of junk. Granted it has been faithful for 3 years--then no hot water. The replacement part has additional parts my original didn't even have. MODEL # FG1F404053NOV SERIAL # 0424133216--and was purchased at Lowes (8/1/04).

I have a new Whirlpool gas water heater that needs a thermal coupler and it is only 1yr old . You cannot go to Lowes to buy one, you must go to the factory. Warranty is 6yrs for parts and 6yrs for tank.I will never recommend anyone to buy a WHIRLPOOL again.

My whirlpool electric hot water heater broke. I used the troubleshooting guide and determined the electronic control board to be faulty. I called Whirlpool and they will ship new one, and it will take 2 days. Lowes refuses to stock this part.

My 50 gal. Whirlpool Flame Lock started having problems with the pilot staying lit lately. The class action lawsuit settlement seems to be inadequate. I'm just learning of these issues, and now I don't even have the choice of opting out of the lawsuit. The settlement is ridiculous: a replacement part that won't work in the long run, customer pays shipping, and that's only after you manage to get hold of anybody at Whirlpool. I'm going out to purchase a Bradford White from a contractor friend of mine. I will take pictures of the installation, keep all my receipts, and hope someone else (like the Texas Attorney General) comes along in the future and takes Whirlpool to court. It's hard to imagine this is all the compensation people are going to get from having to deal with this poor product that should have been pulled from the market years ago. I see recent stories of people still buying them.

The thermocoupler on my water heater has gone out 3 times in 4 years. The company keeps telling me all they will do is replace the part. What good is this if the part keeps breaking?

I bought my water heater in 2002. Two years later, the water heater stop working. I called Whirlpool and found out the thermocoupler needed to be replaced. The thermocoupler has been replaced about 8 times since 2004.

We bought a 40 gallon gas Whirlpool water heater and have changed the thermocontrol valve 3 times now and continue to have problems. The hot water heater is under warranty but we can't get a hold of someone to help us. Do you know who we would contact? We have tried calling Whirlpool directly but get no answer.

We bought a Whirlpool hot water heater from Lowe's about 5 years ago and we have had to replace the thermal coupler at least 8 times. We are now going to just replace the water heater all together and we will not buy a Whirlpool. I have never had a problem with Whirlpool appliances in the past and we have bought many. However, this experience will make me think twice about buying another Whirlpool product. How can this company knowingly sell something that is defective. This has been an inconvenience because I have now been two days with no hot water and will have to go a couple of more days until I can get someone in the replace the water heater. I am not exactly old but I have arthritis and it is hard for me to have to carry large pots of water that I have had to heat on the stove to the bathroom so that I can take a hot bath.

Model number FG1H4040T3Nov SN: 0416126050 Unit was purchased at LOWES 5-16-04 with a 9 year warranty. The thermal couple does not work now and the tank is dripping and does not heat any water now. This part is known to fail and the replacement as well. This part is not replaceable at department stores but only by Whirlpool. There is a class action lawsuit referring to this and I would like to be on board. They will not ship the part overnight and have requested I put out $18.00 for a $15.00 part unit. They will ship it free but the delivery time with be a week or so which is not acceptable. This thermal couple is a backward fitting screw like a Propane fitting. This is why nobody carries them anymore as they are uncommon. The other reason is that this model has been updated now and replaced with newer models. There is no need for this part to be available now at a department stores because all models are equipped with a newer part, the old part is now obsolete. I feel they should stand behind their product and offer a full replacement unit. LOWES is fine with this when asked; as long as I have the AR number issued by Whirlpool. They do not have a problem replacing it. Whirlpool should replace this unit. If I have to settle for an obsolete part it should be overnighted for free. I feel they are not standing behind their product and I will not purchase again from them unless they make this right.

I found out unknowingly about the class action lawsuit filed on Whirpool over their Flamelock water heaters. There is a sign posted in Lowes in Stow, Ohio about the left handed thread Thermal couples and the class action lawsuit and to contact Whirlpool for information. This is the second thermal couple I have had to replace in this water heater, and Whirlpool's quick fix stating to clean the vents and make sure the combustion chamber every six months is nonsense. I'll never buy another Whirpool product. I installed the flamelock water heater in Nov. '03 and is supposed to have a 6 year warranty.

My husband went to Lowes and purchased a 40 gallon Whirlpool gas water heater. Since the purchase and installation we discovered the error of our purchase. The water heater lasted about 20 months. In June 2007 the burner went out and would not light so of course we went to Lowes to see about repair or replacement. Lowes told us that since we did not purchase the extended service plan we would have to go back to Whirlpool Product Service. We then found the Consumer Affairs .com article on these water heaters. The article was right!

I've replaced the thermocouple 3 times on my Whirlpool water heater. An updated version was sent. Paid $30 for overnight delivery because of Thanksgiving. Part arrived 4 days later. India call center transferred me to US parts center. Shipping refund for overnight shipping was not received. As far as the upgraded thermocouple: Pilot flame goes out each time hot water is used. Water heater is 2 years old....

My Whirlpool water heater light went out. Went to Lowes and they did not have the part. I called phone # on the water heater. Got a message that Whirlpool would not talk to me unless I waived my right to the lawsuit. I hung up and called Lowes; they said there was not anything they could do. They were rude.

We bought a Whirlpool water heater two years ago, and it had a six year warranty on it. Now the thermal coupler has gone out, and we purchased a new one but it wont work either. I have found out that there is a new part that goes on there because they have faulty water heaters; but you have to buy the part from them because they have stopped making the parts for their water heaters

Purchased a Whirlpool 40 gal. water heater with the flame lock safety system from Lowes on 09/2003. The thermocoupler went out the day before Thanksgiving. Found out Lowes does not carry the replacement part for this and have been unable to speak to rep from Whirlpool to find out what to do. Sounds like a lot of these units are built with defective parts.

We've had our Whirlpool water heater for 1 year, 3 months--just over the warranty for labor. Parts are covered. The nearest repairman is 2-1/2 hours away; and he already said other people were calling, and Whirlpool won't pay his travel costs. I called Whirlpool back and was given repairmen 4-1/2 to 5 hours away. Whirlpool gave me a number where, after calling, said they don't do Whirlpool warranty work. I called back and the company is now closed--even though it is 3 p.m. my time, and they were supposed to stay open until 8 p.m. Don't buy a Whirlpool Water Heater! Go elsewhere! We now have to buy a new water heater.

The left hand thread thermocouple of Whirlpool Water Heater Model FG1H5040T3NOV is not available as a replacement item. NOBODY TELLS YOU WHY. So, one buys the LP thermocouple, as it is the only thing in the store that fits. It goes out in a month. THEN the people at the store tell you that there's some lawsuit/recall against Whirlpool, and it's impossible to fix. I called the people that sold the water heater in the first place, and their reaction was: We know about that. We have no responsibility on this; call Whirlpool. Oh,and don't buy a GE, they are junk, too. Have a nice day. (Click)

I have repeatedly replaced the thermocoupler on my water heater Model# FG1F4040S3NOV. It's broken again. Lowe's tells me to call Whirlpool. Whirlpool doesn't answer. Lowe's says I have to get the part from Whirlpool.

I purchased a Whirlpool Flame-lock hot water heater from Lowe's two years ago. During that time I have replaced the thermocouple 4 times including the original. The last one purchased lasted a total of 2 months. I have mailed receipts to Whirlpool along with a request for some sort of fix for the problem. To date I have not heard from the company. Here it is Thanksgiving day with a house full of family and NO hot water. Something must be done to help the consumer as it seems the company is just sitting on its hands. Thanks.

I brought a Whirlpool top of the line (or so I thought) hot water heater. After about a year the pilot light went out. I tried unsuccessfully five times to re-light it. Finally I turned it off for about an hour and then re-lit it without a problem. It ran fine for about 6 months. Then the problem reappeared. They knew the inherent problems with this particular model and Lowe's and Whirlpool sold it anyway. When I did call, I was directed to an operator that informed me of the defective part, that the part would be furnished at no cost to me, but that I would have to pay $18.00 for shipping.

I purchased a 50 gal. Whirlpool Gas Water Heater with the Flame Lock Safety System (9-year warranty) in 12/03. The flame stopped work a couple of days ago and failed to stay on after relighting the pilot. I called Whirlpool warranty department, and they determined the problem was the control system and offered to ship one at no cost. I had to pay $18 for a next-day delivery. Labor estimates to install the system were from $172 to $310. The attending plumbers did not deem the repair worthwhile due to the negative history of this particular water heater--and Whirlpool and it's warranty.

Lowe's wants me to exchange the Whirlpool water heater on a new BFG code heater (with new thermocoupler). Has anyone gotten a new heater recently with this BFG code 30-40-50 gal heater and had any problems like the previous heater?

I purchased a Whirlpool Flame Guard water heater in 2005 and have replaced the Thermocouple 3 times - twice in the same year. I called the company on the first and third occasions (the second time I called a plummer and he had to order the $9 part and install it for an additional $110). On the two occasions I called Whirlpool they told me that the thermocouple had to be upgraded and will send me the part as long as I paid $18 shipping charges. I asked why the part went out so quickly and they said, "we are aware of the problem, that is why I am sending you the upgrade along with a filter". Two repairs later and I am calling them again with no help or answers to getting the whole heater replaced rather than repaired again and again. I purchased it at Lowes and they are not carrying the replacement parts anymore. It just seems that no one at Whirlpool or Lowes is concerned with quality and safety.

I purchased the Whirlpool water heater M#FG1F4034T3NOV and had a plumber install this 2 yrs ago this month. Recently the pilot went out; after several attempts to re-light it, called the plumber only to find that there were problems with it. He could not get the flame lock part, and I'd have to go through Whirlpool. No one will answer; the VoiceMail shuts off before giving all options.We boiled water for cleaning/bathing/laundry.

I bought a 40 gallon Whirlpool water heater at Lowes, and the thermal couple went bad within 1 year.

I am on my second or third thermal coupler for my whirlpool hot water heater and went to Lowes to get a new coupler and was told that they no longer carry the coupler because of a law suit. They told me to contact whirlpool to find out what to do. It is Sunday and I am unable to reach anyone. I had to cut a day of vacation and use a full day to buy a new hot water heater and install it.

I've had to buy two thermocouples for our Whirlpool Water Heater, and now Whirlpool is tellingme there is another problem that requires replacing the bottom half of the water heater--something to do wtiht he safety shut-off.

I have a problem with Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater: the fuse in thermocouple blows. This part is unique to this product and no other thermocouple can be used. Lowes pulled replacement part off the shelf, forcing a person to search for this unique part elsewhere, or do without hot water.

I bought a new hot water tank on 7/28/07 from Lowes in Seekonk Ma. I brought the water tank home and I had a professional install it. I was told it was my option for delivery or not and that it would not affect the warranty. The week of October 26th I started getting brown water in the morning out of all faucets and tub. I called Lowes and they directed me to go to Whirlpool dba American Water Heater. After spending (3) hours on the phone back and forth between Lowes and American Water Heater, the representative from American Water Heater said it was the Anode Rod and that I would have to pay $47 for the part, shipping and to have this part installed.

I purchased this Whirlpool water heater from Lowes in June of 2004, and on 11-13-2007 our pilot light went out. We tried the trouble shooting steps in the manual and nothing worked. I then contacted Whirlpool and they informed me of a replacement part I would need to fix it. I asked them about the class-action suit, and Mike told me that a few people are complaining--but the water heater is safe and this part will fix it. I asked Mike if I needed to hire a plumber and he told me that as long as I could use a wrench and a screw driver there would not be a problem.

I bought a Whirlpool water heater that you need to repeatedly buy a thermocouple for, as others have complained on this website. These bad water heaters should be recalled.

I purchased a Whirlpool Natural gas water heater with flame lock safety system. It appears the system is not safe. We replaced the broken thermocouple assembly after it broke when we found out about the recall. After fixing, we still have a strong smell of gas coming from the waterheater internal parts. We had a plumber come out and verify all plumbing parts are not leaking. The plumber indicated the gas is leaking so badly from inside the unit that he recommended that we buy a new unit.

we purchased approximately 125 whirlpool flame lock water heaters from lowes. everyone developed problems between 6 months to a year. we were told to contact whirlpool about the problem at the toll free number listed on the water heater. all i ever got from whirlpool was their recorded messages or the run a round. we had to replace the thermocouples to keep our residents with hot water. now lowes has taken the thermocouples off their shelves and informed us that the part was faulty. they also told us that whirlpool had a new part that solved the problem. i was instructed to contact whirlpool. same phone recordings and no satisfaction. we have replaced the majority of the water heaters. we had no choice. we are out thousands of dollars and do not know how to remedy the problem.

I bought a Whirlpool Flamelock water heater from Lowes in Jan. 2003. It is now rusting out and needs to be replaced. Can I join the class? I am having a plumber install a Rheem water heater tomorrow, 11/6/07. I can't wait for any assistance or response from Lowes/Whirlpool before getting a new heater.

11 months ago we purchased a Whirlpool water heater. Yesterday it stopped working. Today Whirlpool told me the closest service provider was nearly an hour away (despite the fact that I live just outside St. Louis, MO) and I would have to pay for any extra charges. f

I purchased 2 Whirlpool Flamelock Water Heaters for rental properties starting in 2004. I had continued maintenance issues on both units, leading to the replacement of one in 2006. Lowes refunded the cost of the unit but no labor. The second water heater has had one Thermocouple replaced thus far.

I have a Whirlpool water heater that was new when I purchased my house. Three months later I had a problem with the Thermo coupler; it was replaced by a local plumber and cost me about $150.00. Last month it cost me $451.97 to have the complete assembly replaced. I used Ace, Leo's plumbing in Corsicana, and they said the threads were stripped and the complete assembly had to be replaced. I was with out hot water for almost 2 weeks. I have been in this house for less than 2 years.

I wrote to Whirlpool that my water heater was not working. Whirlpool knew exactly what the problem was (pilot light was not staying on). They sent me the parts. I received them 9 days later. After I paid a plumber $75 to put the new parts in, it worked for 3 days then went out again. The pilot light will not stay lit. What are they selling? The water heater is a piece of garbage and Whirlpool should be embarrassed to have their name on it. This is ridiculous, I thought Whirlpool stood behind their products; I guess I am wrong. I will go after Lowes, also, since I bought it from them. Maybe they will pull all Whirlpool products from their stores.

I bought a Whirlpool water heater 2 yrs. ago and have changed the Thermocouple twice, and it's out again. This is bad business, and I want Whirlpool to pay for a new water heater. They are not concerned with the consumer.

I purchased two Whirlpool Flamelock water heaters from Lowes about 5 years ago. I have replaced the thermocouple in one of the water heaters twice and also the gas valve once. I'm now without hot water in one water heater. With what I've gathered regarding this model and make, I'll be hard-pressed to find a replacement part that will last. I fear that the other water heater will have the same problem! I purchased the Whirlpool brand expecting quality, and now I'm thinking twice about purchasing anything with the Whirlpool name attached to it! This has caused a great deal of time and inconvenience; and may end up costing more money because the water heater parts are junk. What is being done to correct this? And is there any compensation for the lemon water heaters?

After Lowe's told me that all flamelock natural gas water heater thermocouples have been recalled, I called Whirlpool as they suggested: 1-877-817-6750. I spoke with someone there who said there is no recall. They said that because of the class action lawsuit, Lowe's sent them back! Funny thing is that the LP (propane) thermocouple is the same thing, just bent differently, but they are keeping those in the stores. For $18.00 shipping cost for next day air, Whirlpool is sending me a new manifold door assembly with a resettable thermal cut off switch. I went through three thermocouples and have gotten good at replacing those. Hopefully this won't be too bad to replace. Bad news is that if you own one of these, and there are a ton of these out there, you will be without warm water at least a couple days--*sigh*.

I purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater that worked fine for about 3 years. Now the pilot won't light. I went to Lowes to get the thermocouple needed to fix it, and they knew exactly what the problem was. They don't carry the part because this is all tied up in a law suit. They referred me to someone else to get the part. I could not pick one up anywhere in my own area.

Can't find a replacement thermocouple for a Whirlpool natural gas water heater anymore. Lowe's doesn't carry replacement parts for the product they sell and employees don't know what they're talking about...tried to sell me a universal thermocouple even after I told them Whirlpool thermocouples were left-hand thread and not right-hand like the universal part. Where am I going to get this part? I haven't had hot water in days.

Water Heater Model # FG1H4040T3NOV thermal coupler doesn't work. I replaced it once already six months ago and cannot get a part.

I have a whirlpool water heater, and the thermal coupling has to be replaced every 4 to 5 months. This is ridiculous and should not be happening so often.

I bought a Whirlpool water heater about 2004-2005; model FGIG3030TS (NOV) with serial number 0335107827. I replaced pilot several months ago and paid the plumber $168 because of no hot water. The plumber got the replacement part from Lowes. Now the same problem happened again on 9/29/30-- no hot water. I am ready to junk this product.

Defective water heater thermo-coupler is not stocked by Lowe's, who represents their product. Part does not live up to the life expectancy and is hard to find.

Flame Lock Water heater thermocoupler went bad. Now Lowes does not even carry the replacement part. They said they were all recalled by Whirlpool and they were given no replacements. So what am I supposed to do?

Purchased a Whirlpool water heater and thermocouple is junk. It needs replacing every few months. I think they should do right and fix these water heaters free of charge.

Flame lock water heater...I was going to have to put my 5th thermocouple in in about 2 years. I threw the water heater out the back door.

In 2003 I purchased a 40 gal Whirlpool Hot Water Heater. Within 6 mos. the thermo coupler died. I put in another one. Now in the last 4 years I have installed 5 more.

Our Whirlpool Flamelock water heater quit working. We had a serviceman replace the thermocouple. The cost including service charge was $241.92.

Since 2004 I've replaced 3 thermocouplers at my expense. The last one made it 6 months. This time the nearest Lowes store that had any in stock was 1 1/2 hours away from my home.

I purchased & installed a Whirlpool water heater on 4/5/2003. It ran & operated fine until @18 months ago when it started making a knocking noise after someone used hot water. (washing clothes, washing dishes, taking a shower, etc.)When it is re-filling the tank the tank makes a knocking noise. It never made these noises before. Does anyone know what causes this and how to eliminate the knocking noises? The tank still heats water fine, it's just that the knocking noise is very aggravating.

suddenly no hot water, I purchased a new whirlpool hotwater heater from Lowe's about 2 years ago, it has a 6 year warranty, like everyone else, won't stay lit (thermocoupler malfuction).

I bought a Whirlpool water heater about 3 years ago. Right from the start I noticed that the water was no where near as hot as the noname brand heater I had previously even at its maximum setting.

I bought a Whirlpool water heater about 3 years a go. right from the start I noticed that the water was no where near as hot as the noname brand heater I had previously eve at its maximum setting. I have since replaced the thermo couple 5 times at my cost for various reasons (flame would not stay lit, the pilot would not stay lit etc.) The last time I replced the thermo couple was 3 months ago. Guess what, the damn thing went south again. I have had it. If I ever buy another Whirlpool product again it will be too soon.

I purchased a whirlpool flame lock hot water heater. The thermocouple has been replaced 4 times. I paid for shipping of the new thermocouple 2 times not to mention days without hot water and the cost to have it installed. It just went out again and the customer service department is closed. I wonder how much it will cost me this time and how long I will be without hot water.

My hot water heater started leaking three months later and now the pilot won't light. So I guess that Thermo gadget is out.

I purchased a Whirlpool Flame-Lock water heater (with a 9 year warranty) from Lowe's on Dec. 16, 2003. I woke up to no hot water on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. I attempted to re-light the pilot but that didn't work. I called 1-877-817-6750 and spoke to a gentlemen with a heavy accent. He knew *immediately* what the problem was and said he would send a new thermo-couple unit but I had to pay the freight which ended up being $24 for over-night delivery.

Thermocouple went out. I guess this is common with the Flame Lock system in the Whirlpool water heaters.

After a long and persistent effort, the store manger finally agreed to refund my money.

I purchased a Whirlpool Gold water heater in 2002. I didn't have any trouble with it for 2 years, and then suddenly I have to replace thermocouples every 2 months or less. Installation of a replacement thermocouple is a hideous nightmare. My husband is an engineer and he had a very hard time with the non-standard left-handed threads, etc. I have had 2 sets of renters in the home where this water heater is. It is highly inconvenient for them AND us. Two families are being inconvenienced due to this terrible product that I trusted by the name.

Plumber came out to look at the thermocouple because it wouldn't light. Discovered that the tank was leaking inside. Said it would cost more to fix that we paid for it - today's weekend service call fee was $117.

Installed new water heater and had to change thermocouple 3 times in the first 6 months. Also, just replaced thermocouple on sister-in-laws 1 year old whirlpool waterheater 4 times and is out again.

We purchsaed a Whirpool water heater Model no. FG1J5040T3NOV, Serial no. 0239102539 from Lowes Hardware either in 2003 or 2004. I have personally replaced the thermocouple 4 times and the thermostat once. I can't afford to hire a repair person so I have done all the repairs myself. Well now it is out again and I was lugging pots of hot water to the tub so my son could take a bath.

We purchased a Whirlpool Flame Lock Gas Hot Water Heater. Not 5 months later we had no hot water. We got someone to come check it out, and corrected the problem. Then the same thing happened. It was the same problem as before, the thermocouple. Whirlpool I thought was a good name brand. I don't know why Whirlpool can't be forced to recall these faulty parts and come up with one that last. I will never buy ANYTHING Whirlpool again!

I purchased my Whirlpool 50 gallon Flame Lock gas hot water heater from Lowe's in April of 2002. My first thermocouple went out Jan 2003 and then again in Nov 2006. Luckily, I run my own business and was able to change both at my own expense as far as labor. However, on the second one, I give up trying to contact Whirlpool, after three days, on the 800 number they provide with no answer. What good does it to have a 12 year warranty on a product to find out after you purchase it that they are only responsible to replace an item only one time?

I have a water heater that is less than 2 years old and it won't stay lit. Brand is Whirlpool.

I purchased a Whirlpool hotwater heater from Lowe's 1 year ago and have had to replace the thermocouple 3 times in the past year and my hot water heater will still not light. I called Whirlpool and it is still under warrenty and they said I need to replace a door at no cost BUT with a $35 shipping cost.

After purchasing a Whirpool electric water tank, we noticed that it was making an unusually load noise that could be hear through two insulated walls across the house.

The tech on the phone told us the noise was due to water knocking, and would not say anything else. My tank has been installed less than three months, and was purchased less than five months ago.

After purchasing a whirlpool hot water heater it just stopped working one morning. I called Whirlpool and they expected me to completely disassemble the unit. Maybe I could just blow up my house!

In March of 2003 we bought a Whirlpool 40 gallon Flame Loc water heater and 2 months later we had to replace the thermocouple. It worked for about a year before the next thermocouple had to be replaced. Since then we've learned how to replace our own (4 in the last 2 years). During that time Whirlpool and Lowes have been no help. The thermocouple isn't a warranted part.

The thermocouplea on the Gas Heaters have all failed at least 2 times each. The Electric Heaters Circuit Boards have failed.The thing is junk.

In August of 2004, my husband & I bought a Whirlpool Flame Lock gas water heater from our local Lowe's. They installed it for us and it worked fine until Dec. of 2006. Had a repairman come out the next day and he determined it was the thermocouple that went out, so he went to Lowes to get one, came back to our home and finished the repair. He was here for long over an hour and had a hard time with it. That cost us $132.00.

I purchased a 30 gallon Flame-Lock water heater from Lowe's about a year and a half ago. On 2-11-07 it stopped working, so I called the gas company to come check it out. He told me it was the thermocouple and I needed to call a plumber. I called two plumbers infact, and they both gave me estimates for over $200, based on the fact that it was a special part and they would have to disassemble the bottom of the tank to replace the part. At that point I called the provided 800 number and after a long wait the service rep says the part only costs $12 at Lowe's and it just takes 15 minutes to replace. Now, my husband is an excellent mechanic who owns an auto repair business and it took him about an hour to replace this thing. I can't imagine someone not so mechanically inclined trying to replace this part. After the part was replaced the pilot light came on but it wouldn't stay on, so I called the number again and the woman told me I needed to take this thing apart again, and clean the vent with a toothbrush and vaccum it out every 3-6 months like I should have read in the manual. I was beyond frustrated at this point, but I went ahead and cleaned the vent (which was pointless, the toothbrush didn't even get dirty and there wass nothing to vaccum), AND THE PILOT STILL WOULD NOT STAY LIT! We have gone 11 days without hot water, I have to boil water to wash dishes, clothes, and take baths, I mean this is beyond inconvenient, this is cruel and unusual. It is now about 11:30pm, too late to call that number so I decided to get on the internet and look up Whirlpool Water Heater complaints, and to my dismay I have read all of the prior complaints about this defective product, and I am glad I did because I will not put another hard-earned dollar into this thing.

I bought a Whirlpool Flame Lock Water Heater in Oct. 2002. The first year was fine then the Thermocouple went bad. Back to Lowe's and bought a cheap thermalcouple. It worked fine until Feb. 2007. Back to Lowe's and bought a whirlpool thermocouple. I can't get the pilot to stay lit at all. Then I read this site at midnight and find out that I'm not the only one that's been taken to the cold showers with Whirlpool. Thanks Whirlpool!

Purchased an electric Whirlpool Energy Smart hot water tank from Lowe's in October, 2004. We are having a problem with hot water coming and going and the diagnostic board sensor clicking constantly for the last two months. Called the 800 number and never was able to discuss our problem with customer service after being on the line for 45 minutes. After reading all of the complaints, we are convinced that we might as well junk it and purchase another brand even though this one is only 27 months old.

On 2/2005 I purchased a Whirlpool 40 gallon water heater from Lowes and had Lowes install it. On 1/18/2007 no hot water and was not able to relight the water heater. Was directed by Lowes to the Whirlpool 1-877 number (can you say useless) and it took over 3 hours to get a real person on the line. Was told that I need to clean a "trap" on the bottom and it should have been cleaned every 2 to 3 months. I was never told about this procedure when the unit was installed.

I am absolutely disgusted with having to deal with failing thermocouples. To make it worse, they use the left hand thread thermocouple, which is not readily available (except perhaps at Lowes). A hot water heater is a basic necessity in a home and Whirlpool should step up to the plate and replace these heaters! Shipping of the part takes days.

Purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater from Lowe's 2 years ago. Heater has a 6 year warranty on parts and tank. Tank is leaking and I had a professional plumber come out and test it and he found that the tank has a pinhole in it. We phoned Whirlpool's Warranty line and were told that the tank could be replaced but we would again have to pay for the removal of the defective one and installation of the new one (the tank is located in the attic)...this is substantially more than the cost of a new tank.

I have a Whirlpool gas hot water heater and I have to keep changing the thermocoupler every 3 months. There has been a couple of times that I have had to change it in 3 weeks. Now Whirlpool is offering me a pushbutton switch that I have to pay for the shipping and for someone to install it. They are not offering to replace my heater at all. When will they offer a recall on these?

Whirlpool 40 gal. gas water heater with flame-lock control continuously fails due to poor design. Since purchased in January, 2003 I have been forced to replace the failed thermocouple 7 times. Whirlpool/Lowe's have not provided any solution for this continuing problem.

Purchased the Flamelock with the 12 year warranty. The thermocoupler went out and I contacted Whirlpool. They offered to send it out to me for a hefty little shipping price. And I will have to wait for it.

I have replaced 5 of the thermocouples on my Whirlpool FlameLock gas hot water heater. It breaks down every 3 to 6 months.

We woke up Saturday morning to no hot water in our Whirlpool water heater purchased from Lowes about 18 months ago. The Whirlpool service desk answered the call Saturday morning after a 10 minute wait. The problem is with the circuit board which they are to ship out Monday so that leaves me withour hot water for 4 days. (Guess water heaters are to only fail Monday through Friday. They have no provision to ship parts over the week end.)

My Whirlpool hot water electric water heater sparked and started the inside foam insulation on fire. I happen to be by it when it happen or it would have caught my house on fire.

Purchased 4 Whirlpool hot water heaters for my management company. All 4 thermo-couples failed within 2 months.

I have a defective Whirlpool Energy smart water heater and a defective company to deal with.... Whirlpool. After many, many tries to get someone on the phone at the 877 phone number, (hung up on, busy signals etc.) I gave up. This company is absolutely horrible.

I read the article on Consumers Steamed About Whirlpool Water Heaters by Joseph S. Enoch and we also bought one and had our water heater go out and it also was the thermocouple. I called Whirlpool and they told me that I could purchase the part at Lowe's and that it would take my husband 15-30 minutes to install it. My husband is not mechanically inclined and we hired a plumber and it took him over 1 hour, he ignited it and the water heater made such flume of fire that it made me so nervous to put the water heater back on

I purchased an 80-gallon electric whirlpool water heater from Lowes 3/19/05. After about a year the water temperature went back and forth from scalding to cold.

Why should I retype what absolutely EVERYONE else before me has already said? My Whirlpool water heater is JUNK.

We purchased a brand new FVIR Whirlpool 12 year warranty water heater. After paying for the water heater at $500 and then a plumber's professional installation for $300, we still have no hot water. The pilot light refuses to light. Additionally, it is Saturday after your tech department closes so my family of four will not have hot water, best case scenario, Monday. I am seriously considering the 30 days return to Lowe's option.

I purchased a Whirlpool Gas Hot Water tank from Lowe's in 2005. Since that time, I have had three thermocouples fail. Whirlpool customer service continues to direct me to Lowe's and informs me there is nothing they can do about it, although I bought the tank because I believe Whirlpool had a reputation for standing behind their products as suggested in the warranty that came with the hot water tank. Whirlpool customer service has refused to do anything to help me remedy this situation. Our family is tired of losing hot water every three months.

I purchased the Whirlpool Energy Smart electric heater Model #EE2H50RD045V from Lowes in November 2004. My old heater broke down the day before Thanksgiving when I had my entire family at my house from out of town. The unit cost $200 and I paid the plumber $125 to install it. In the summer of 2005, the water began going out quickly. After a 5-10 minute shower, I had no hot water. During the winter of 2005, the water was unpredictably warm or cool. The real nightmares started happening in September 2006.

I purchased a Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater on Feb 8 2004. The thermocouple went out on Oct. 24 2005. I thought that after 2 years and 8 months was good for a thermocouple until I started reading all the complaints that Whirlpool has had with the thermocouples. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I will make a suggestion that Whirlpool starts packing 10 extra thermocouples with their water heaters, or contack AO Smith and get a few pointers from them on how to perfect theirs. As for me, no more Whirlpools for me. I have a refregirator that I brought in Sept of 1969, that I am still using in the garage. It is a Whirlpool, Maybe the company should stop making their water heaters all together.

We purchased a WHIRLPOOL hot water heater from LOWES on 01/29/2004 in approximately 3 months it went out on the coldest day of the year.We contacted LOWES & They said to contact WHIRLPOOL via their 877 number.My husband talked to a guy that said, it was our ceiling fan fault because it blew out our pilot light.Our ceiling fan is not in the same room.They would not even replace any part or warranty their own heater.A plumber told us to replace the thermocouple, which we did x 6 times.Now 2 years later we are having the same trouble and are sick & tired of this piece of junk.

Once again Whirlpool DOESN'T come through. The thermocouple went bad again for the 3rd time in one year.I am finding out that everyone is having problems with the gas hot water heater from Whirlpool. I will never buy another Whirlpool product again. And not just because I had problems. Any manufacturer can have a problem with one particular part. It's how Whirlpool has handled it. They simply have a sorry about your luck attitude. The first thing they said was to just go buy a thermocouple. When I said it was still under warranty, what ever that means to Whirlpool, they got rude and really didn't care if it got fixed or not.

I own rental property and in March of 2005 purchased a Whirlpool 40 gallon Flame Lock water heater for one of my rental units. In May of 2006 the unit had its first thermocouple failure. Less than four months later the second and third ones failied. The third failing within 24 hours and as if this time has not been replaced.. Needless to say there will be no more Whirlpool products in my units.

We purchased a Whirlpool water heater in April of this year. The thermocoupler failed within the first two months and has subsequently failed 5 or 6 more times. It's out right now!

Purchased Whirlpool Flamelock water heater and have replaced the thermocouple twice in the last 6 weeks. Lowes (where I purchased it) said Whirlpool has a design flaw but refuses to own up to the problem. Each time I must replace the part myself because the 6 year warrenty does not cover labor.

I purchased a Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater in 2003. I have replaced the thermal coupler 3 times. We have contacted Whirlppol several times & they will not replace the unit and keep sending us to Lowe's for parts. The water heater went out again this weekend so I replaced the thermal coupler again. About 9:00 PM this evening I noticed a strong smell of gas in the house. I immediately shut off the water heater & upon investigation found that the pilot tube has cracked & is now leaking gas. I will now have to call a professional to see what can be done to repair it. According to what I have read on this website, the Manifold door assembly is no longer an available part, so I assume the unit will have to be replaced.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater not even a year ago from Lowes in Farmington Mo. I had to replace the thermocoupler twice within a year. I currently have cold water and now im working on the gas water heater again tonight on 09-11-06. The gas water heater is a 50 gallon, six year warranty policy from whirlpool that is stamped on the product. Whirlpool has refused to take the product back and give me my money for purchasing a lemon. They want me to call a repair man and claim it is my problem.

We purchased the unit three years ago, and it seemed that it was working great for only the first year and a half. After that it seemed we were lighting the pilot every month for at least six months. Then we were lighting it three times a week, then lighting two or three times a day which means that it would go out about ten minutes later. The final was that it stopped lighting. Called Whirlpool and was informed that we needed to purchase a thermocouple at Lowes and that it was very easy to install ourselves. That was far from the truth. After about 2 hours of struggeling with the 19 step installation, it still would not light. Had to start from the beginning and then noticed that the pilot tube was cracked. Now we are told that the part is not available nor is the replacement of the whole unit that includes the thrermocouple,manifold tube and pilot tube attatched to the manifold. Our only option now is to purchase and have installed a new water heater.

I have been installing water heaters for over 13 years. Every time I have to go to a customers house to fix the Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater I tell them they need to replace the heater with a better heater. The time and money these people are spending to fix these Whirlpool heaters, they could put in 2 or 3 new tanks of a better brand of heater. All the plumbers in my area ( 4 surrounding counties ) won't even touch these heaters because they will be held responsible when they go out in 4 or 5 months and most of them don't want that headache nor do I.

I purchased a 50 gallon Whirlpool energy smart electric water heater from Lowes, model no. EE2H50RD045V April 17 2006 with a 9 year warranty according to the sales rep. The unit worked approx. 5 months and stoped working. I go back to Lowes thinking either they will fix or replace, much to my surprise they give me a telephone noumber, 1877 817 6750 with assurance they would fix the problem . After dialing this number for over a week, I have not as yet got speak to a representative. Nothing but a recording: "all lines are busy at this time, call back later."

I purchased a Whirlpool Energy Smart Electric water heater 4/4/05 at Lowe's and on 8/31/06 the controller failed. A stop at Lowes and they refered me to Whirlpool. A call to Whirlpool's warranty number got a replacement controller sent but I have to pay the shipping and labor.

We have the Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater. Bought Feb 06. Replaced thermocouple on Aug 2, 2006 and now we are replacing it 4 Sept 06. We were told by whirlpool that the Flame trap should be cleaned every 2 months. That wouldn't of work here considering our thermacouple went at the 1 month mark. We were told if the thermacouple goes again within the next few months they will replace our hot water tank.

I just read all these complaints and as a service tech for whirlpool and an installer for Lowes you all are getting a run around. 1st all parts are free for the warranty you have and yes the labor is only covered for 1 yr after the install but go to any other company and thats not true -- it could break next day and they won't cover install, Parts are drop shipped next day for free. I too have my share of repairs for these heaters but that's why I am in the business and all the prices you have paid are cheap. We charge $125.00 for heater repair.

We bought a new Whirlpool Energy Smart Residential Electric Water Heater from Lowe's in Dec. 2004. It's now August 2006, and it is already no longer working. I've tried to call Whirlpool's toll free number to ask what--if anything--the company plans to do about this obviously flawed product, but have so far been unable to speak to anyone at all.

In Oct. 2004, we purchased a Whirlpool Energy Smart water heater for our vacation house. We were depending on the good name of Whirlpool to give us good service.

I purchased a new 40 gallon Whirlpool hot water tank from Lowe's around Feb. of last year, 2005 (Flame Lock model #BFG1F4040S3NOV). Well last week the tank stopped working. While I was at work my wife tried several times to relight the pilot with no luck. Once I got home that night, it did light but only to go back out a few minutes later. I figured it was the thermocouple,.... and since the disign on these tanks changed in 2003 they are kinda a pain in the rear end to change out now. I called Lowe's and was referred to Whirlpool,.... only to be told by a Whirlpool Rep that their labor warranty is only good for a year and that I would have to pay the service charge and labor to have a repairman come out to fix the tank.

I purchased an energy smart Whirlpool electric hot water heater approximately one year ago for my rental home. The tank needs to be reset every few days and now it doesn't work at all.

I purchased a new Whirpool hot water tank 2-3 years ago. I have had to replace the thermocouple over 13 times already!

I purchased a new Whirlpool Flame-Lock water heater in late 2003. I would not even be able to guess how many thermocouplers I have had to install on this water heater since owning it. The longest I've had one to last is approx. 6 months. I had one go out after heating only one tank of water! Average life has been about 4 months. The original factory installed thermocouple did not last 6 months.

We purchased a 40 gallon hot water heater at Lowe's in June, 2005 and we installed it. This week, no hot water. My husband tried to get it to light but no luck. After reading the other article on the web site I see that we are going to have a time getting this fixed. I doubt if this water heater will be in our house for very long, because if we have to take such care of the thermocoupler, I'd rather get one that I don't have to worry about. If Whirlpool slaps its name on any old inferior appliance, I will no longer even consider purchasing any other product with their name on it.

I just read an excerpt from Mary of Carbondale, Ks who stated that whirlpool will replace the water heaters to customers that have had numerous problems with them. Will they reimburse me for my water heater? I had mine removed when I bought my Sears Kenmore water heater 5 weeks ago. I still have my original receipt showing what I paid for my Whirpool water heater. Since they are replacing Mary's water heater, I feel it is only justified that they reimburse me for my old (2.5 years old) whirlpool.

Fantastic News! As someone who has been suffering a long time with thermocouple replacements on my Whirlpool Hot Water Heater the American Water Heater Co. finally got the message. I just called for the umpteenth time about repayment for a thermocouple and they are replacing the entire tank. They have indeed reengineered the hot water tank to once and for all take care of the thermocouple issue. I verified this by taking a plumber to Lowe's to see for ourselves. Everyone on this website that has been thru this thermocouple nightmare needs to call 1-877-817-6750 and get their replacement.

I bought Whirlpool flame lock gas water heater with 12 year warranty on 9/6/04 and keep having to replace the thermocouple.

I just had my 6th thermocouple fail in my wonderfull Whirlpool water heater. It's almost like clockwork, about every 6 months.

On November 2003 I bought a 50 galon Whirlpool water heater 12 year waranty On July 16th 2006 it stopped working, no hot water. I called whirlpool and was told to get the Thermocouple replaced, A plumber replaced it and still it does not work ( cost $ 85.00 for the plumber) I didn't work. I called again and was told to replace the flamelock control Valve. I do not want more expenses afterreading all the complains from Whirlpool water heaters,so I deceided to purchase a new one ( other brand) having paid ( 681.00) for the whirlpool in 2003.

I purchased a gas hot water heater about 2 years ago. It stopped heating so I tried to contact the Whirlpool water heater division for three hours today and could only get a recording. I notified Whirlpool Corporate and received a run around, it seems their water heaters are made by American water heaters so they feel they are not responsible.

I purchased a Whirlpool FLAME LOCK water heater in May 2004. I made sure I purchased the heater with a 12 year warranty so if I had any troubles I would be covered. It worked until June 2006.

I bought a 50gal electric Whirlpool hot water heater from Lowes and within 9 months it stopped making hot water. As of now my family is without hot water as well as appox. $200 for the cost of the hot water heater.

As with the many who complain of the Whirlpool FlameLock gas hot water tanks, I'd replaced two of their left-handed thermocouples before finally getting a way to reach somebody at AWHC. They were cooperative, but they don't have the parts I needed. In fact, they won't have the regulator, which appears to crimp the tip of every thermocouple, at three different towns for five to seven days.

I bought an Energy Smart electric water heater at Lowes about 3 years ago. Last month it stopped heating. I called the service center and they sent me a new control board. I installed it but because the board was different so the cover I had did not fit.

I purchase a Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's and 12 months later no hot water. I called the number listed on the tank and they told me to purchase the thermal coupler. The thermal coupler is very difficult to install, along with natural gas and a spark of electronic, means it would not be safe for the average person, therefore I paid $72 for a plumber to put install.

I purchased a gas water heater made by Whirlpool from Lowes on Aug. 26,2002. Within a couple weeks I no longer had enough hot water to shower with. I had to keep turning down the cold until I had to finally turn the cold water off just to keep warm water running over me. I disregarded it because I was just thankful to have ANY hot water after having to replace my old one. I purchased model number FG1H4040T3NV. After reading all these other complaints on this site I see I am NOT alone in having this problem!

Bought Whirlpool water heater, electric model#EE3Z50RD055V, ON 6/2/04. Control board went bad in 12 months. Called the 877 number and discovered 'lifetime warranty' includes only one replacement of a part for each part over your lifetime. They sent me the control board. The new board failed again on 5/2006. It lasted 11 months.

Thermo Coupler went out on Whirlpool Gas Water Heater. Called Sears. They could not find replacement. Waited for part on back order but it never came. Out of hot water for 7 days. Finally found a thermo coupler at Lowes and had to replace it myself. Read consumer report and found that there are thousands of folks with thermo coupler problems on the Whirlpool water Heaters. How many complaints will it take to make Whirlpool correct this problem. Some of these problems are really dangerous.

I have a 50 gal hot water tank, that caught fire. The tank has a life- time warranty on the tank and parts. The unit functioned properly for two years or more, then, without any warning, simply caught fire.

For the second time in less than three years I am having to replace the thermacoupler on my Whirlpool hot water heater and, like everyone else with this problem, am having to foot the bill to have a plumber properly install it. There appear to be many owners of Whirlpool water heaters with the same problem; and we are pretty much being ignored by Whirlpool for what I see as a major design flaw.

We like the guy from San Antonio, TX bought the exact same water heater and have had the exact same problems. Replaced the therma couple and valve a year and a half ago (for the low price of $180) and this morning the water heater went out again and again told the same thing. Of course, was told each time that neither of these items was under warranty at either time. Now researching to buy another brand of water heaters.....NOT WHIRLPOOL.

I purchased a new 50 gallon Flame Lock Water Heater with a 12 year warranty in January of 2006. Seven weeks later, I had no hot water and was told that the thermocouple had gone bad. I also found out that the 12 year warranty was a joke because Whirlpool only pays the cost of the $14 part and not the cost of the service call to have it properly installed.

We bought the Whirlpool Flame Lock 50-gallon water heater in February 2004 from Lowe's. We have now replaced the thermo coupling 4 times. We are so disgusted with this thing. Not only have we replaced the coupling that many times, but we have found out that you can only get the part from Lowe's. If we had known even this, we would never have bought it.

Purchased a Whirlpool 50 gallon "Flame Lock" water heater from Lowe's in 2002. In July 2004 the heater went out and plumber had to replace the "Thermo-couple" and Gas Control Valve. Now here it is April 2006 and heater has gone out again. Called Whirlpool this A.M. and after 30 minute wait finally talked to a service tech. Was told to go to Lowe's and get a new "Thermo-couple" which would solve the problem.

I usually keep quiet about poor quality, but having 4 children this is an extremely inconvenient problem. Whirlpool has a nice looking water heater. It would be a much more useful appliance if you could count on it to actually turn cold water into hot water. I bought it new from Lowe's in August 2004 and have since gone through 3 thermocouples. These are their "handy" flame lock thermocouples. And thank you for making these $14.00 parts with a left handed thread.

Bought a Whirlpool hot water heater on 7-7-05 from Lowes and we have had to replace the thermocouple 3 times since we have had it. We have 3 small kids at home and we have gone without water any where from 2 to 5 days every time it went out.

We bought a hot water heater (gas). We havent had it a year and we already have to fix it. There have been a lot of complaints,with the thermocouple. I'm not very happy with this. I had to take off work to go buy the part, even though it's under warranty. If they send it to me, it will cost me $25.00 for shipping it.

I bought Whirlpool gas water heater on 4-27-2003 Model number FG1J4040T3NOV from Elk Grove Lowes store. On 3-3-2006. The pilot lit was off. When I reported the problem to the whirlpool rep, who told me that the thermocouple was gone. The rep gave me the lowes part # 86367. I purchased 2 thermocouples ($13.99 each) and save the second one for the future. It took me more than 3 hours on my time to purchase and replace the thermocouple. It is sad that Whirlpool does not own up to its design problems.

Talk about DeJa Vue. I've had the same experience with a Model: FG1H4040T3NV. Purchase in 11/02 from Loews, replace thermocouple 3 Months later because of Lint inside that was not cleaned out at installation and it's not their warranty problem because I didn't read the one paragraph in their Owners/install book to check for dirt in a new appliance.??? Replace it with a universal unit because Lowe’s 1: didn't have the part and 2: their store representative said factory parts didn't last anytime at all. Of course, Whirlpool gets a free ride because warranty parts are not used.

I will join the chorus of complains over Whirlpool's poorly designed malfunctioning water heaters. 2 1/2 years ago, I bought a 50 gallon Flame lock from Lowe's and it crapped out on me this week. At the time it was installed, Lowe's failed to give me a instruction manual, so I missed the bit about cleaning it out every three months. When I went to install the new thermocouple, we could not remove the left screw that attached the airtight front plate. I drilled the screw out, and found the heater full of water and the burn plate rusted.

Purchased Whirlpool Flame Lock 50-gallon water heater in 2004. About 8 months later we had a no hot water problem. Called plumber, they indicated a lot of problems with this heater, contact Whirlpool as it was still under warranty for parts. Took several days to receive part, but part was incomplete. Ended up going to Lowes and taking part off display model. Then a year later (11/20/05) same problem. Each time two trips by the plumber; one to diagnose and return trip once the part received, not to mention no hot water the entire time (3 to 5 days)

We bought our whirlpool water heater at lowes 2 years ago and the flames went out and we had no hot water for 2 days. Called the company talked to a Chris he asked me a few questions, I answered, then he told me to get a new thermal couple at lowes and he would reimburse for the cost, our plumber put it in. Chris said nothing about this product having a recall or a bad part that we are continually going to have problems with, shame on whirlpool.

On June 14, 2004 we purchased a Whirlpool water heater from Lowes in Schererville, IN., within six months the thermal coupling went out. Lowes sent out a repairman at their expense. Now here it is again no hot water and this time no help. Lowes states that the heater is out of warrenty and Whirlpool tells us buy the part and they will pay for it but not a service call. They then tell us to go to their web site for directions on how to replace the coupling.

On Sept. 20, 2002 we purchased our Whirlpool water heater. Thinking that Whirlpool was a great name brand that stood behind their name and quality, we purchased our first Whirlpool. Three years later I am thinking differently. We are now on our fourth thermocoupler and still no hot water. We are removing our hot water heater and purchasing another brand. I wish I had seen this web site first. I see that other people have complained and now AI cna join the list.

On 10/03 purchased new Whirlpool Water Heater. On 5/04 Had to have service company come out because water heater was not working. Same month at a later date, the water heater had to be replaced. On 10/04 had to have service company come out because water heater did not work. 5/05 water heater is not working. Whirlpool stated that the replaced water heater guarantee is retroactive to the date the original water heater was purchased.