Whirlpool Water Heaters Reviews

We bought a Whirlpool Flamelock BFG1F3030S3NOV Water Heater at Lowe's in May 10 2007 that just turned 4 years old. I was in the shower when suddenly, no hot water. Checked the water heater it; had gone out and I could not restart. After several hours of research and troubleshooting, it appears the gas control valve/thermostat is a defect. Even though it still has almost 2 years left on parts warranty I feel the time and trouble is not worth it. I'm headed to Home Depot to purchase a new heater like my neighbor's which he has owned 6 plus years with no problems. I will never buy Whirlpool again.

I purchased a Whirlpool flame lock, model #BFG1F4034T3NOV. Over the last year and a half, I have replaced parts twice. Today, 05/12/2011, the pilot light is out again! I am really considering purchasing a non-Whirlpool water heater simply because of the inconvenience. I believe they, Whirlpool, should refund the money or correct the problem! They just have you replace with more faulty equipment! I thought they were a good American brand! And people wonder why we buy foreign stuff, because they are better built! American companies and their profits, to hell with the consumers! I will not purchase anything from Whirlpool again!

I purchased a Whirlpool flamelock water heater and have had nothing but problems with the unit ever since.

In 9/13/07, I purchased a water heater (Model: BFG1F3030T3NOV / Serial Number: 0735139532). In December 2010, the pilot went out and would not relight. In April 2011, the same thing happened! I heard that there was a recall and class action suit!

My fairly new Whirlpool water heater stopped working last week. It was identified that the control valve did not work. I called Whirlpool and was told that the warranty does not cover it as I am not the original owner. I bought the house with the water heater which looks pretty new. I will not purchase any Whirlpool water heaters in the future. The quality sucks and the warranty sucks! As a result, I had no hot water for over a week. I plan to replace the water heater entirely for about $700 installed! No more Whirlpool!

Purchased a 50-gallon electric hot water heater from Lowe's on October 2005, model # ee3250rd055v with a "lifetime" warranty.. I did a self installation to replace an existing hot water heater that began leaking after 20 years of service. After installation, the hot water heater would not work and after some diagnostic work, I discovered that the control board was out. I called Lowe's and was told that I needed to contact Whirlpool. My response was that I didn't buy the hot water heater from Whirlpool, I bought it from Lowe's, and that I expected Lowe's to fix it. Lowe's did step up to the plate and sent a repairman out to verify that the board was bad and ordered another one. When the replacement board was installed it was bad as well!

We bought a Whirlpool Flame Lock Water Heater at Lowe's in June 2007. The problem is that it no longer heats water. No kidding! It was not even 4 years old and yet it was dead as a doornail. After nine days and many calls later, there was still no hot water. Go online and pick your choice as to which problem affects the heater. The bottom line is that it's a dud. A plumber will be coming over tomorrow to fix it for $200, which is outrageous!

I called the customer service warranty line today at 8 am and spoke with customer service representative named Igor. I was calling in reference to a Whirlpool Flame Lock Gas Hot Water Heater. I purchased this at Lowe's in Wichita, KS on 10-30-04. It has a 12 year warranty on all parts and the heater itself. I have replaced the same parts numerous times, have had to wait for Whirlpool to ship the parts to me, and then pay for the high priced postage on something that is under warranty.

Several years ago, I bought a Whirlpool water heater. I did not suspect that I was buying such a big nightmare. For years, I kept changing the thermocouple with the hope that I will not have to do it again next month. I was wrong. The flame in the pilot went off every two months. Finally, a representative from Whirlpool told me that I should install some kind of conversion kit that should resolve my problem. Everything was fine for two more months. I was lucky that my house did not burn out. The miracle kit exploded to the point that the burner got sold to the body of the water heater. My nightmare continued when Whirlpool agreed to replace my FG model water heater for a newer one.

I replaced my old hot water heater with what I thought was going to be a better product, a Whirlpool. It's a 30-gal. and is the worst investment I have ever made. Within three months, we had to replace the thermocouple. Not even three months later, we were told we had a bad gas valve, imagine that! It has been about two years since we purchased it. The gas valve has been replaced twice and have gone through four thermocouples. Whirlpool was nice enough to pick up the tab on only one! We have invested way too much money into a product that's not even worth the scrap metal.

I purchased a 50-gal. Ultra Low Nox Whirlpool water heater with the Flame Lock system in June 2008 from Lowes. After a few months, the pilot light began extinguishing unexpectedly. Calls to customer service inquiries revealed a bad gas control valve/thermostat. It was still under warranty and Whirlpool paid for the part and service.

We purchased a 40 gallon Whirlpool gas heater with the flame lock. It was purchased at Lowe's, model no. BFGIF4040S3NOV. It was installed on 9-1-09. We called Whirlpool on 4-13-10. They did send someone out to check it. They found a faulty gas valve. Whirlpool did pay for the service call and repair. This gas water heater has been nothing but problems ever since it has been installed. Do not buy a Whirlpool gas water heater with the flame lock. The water does not stay hot and needs reset like everyday. It is a piece of junk. My old gas water heater was very old, but it didn't cause me any problems. It kept the water hot and had no problems. I wanted an energy saver. My old gas water heater was a Montgomery Ward.

I bought a Whirlpool 30 gallon gas water heater 03FG1F3030T3NOV in 2003. My water heater went out on New Year's day, 2011. I called Whirlpool and they told me to go to Lowe's to get a thermo cubelet kit that was free. I had it installed and the heater went back out in a couple days. I called them back and they told me that I probably need the gas valve, it cost $62. I had it installed, the heater wouldn't stay light. They know that these heaters are problems.

Like numerous others, I have a problem with my Whirlpool 40 gallons, gas water heater. The pilot light won't stay lit. It is on a 12-year warranty and they already sent me a replacement part that I had to pay to have installed. The problem persists and now they want me to get a voltage meter to test the new part (installed four months ago). It's not reasonable to expect me to continually check and pay to install new, faulty parts. They should be fixing the problems that they know exist the first time. I have lost trust in Whirlpool, and will no longer purchase any of their products. It is just unfortunate that such a widely known issue is still being handled so poorly by Whirlpool, and that they are not being forced to right their wrongs. There should be a class action as others have stated. Consumers are getting the short end of the stick on this one and it's shameful.

I purchased a Whirlpool energy smart gas water heater (Model: SG1J5040T3NOV / Serial Number: 10l5T422354). Our house was built in 1993. On 11/23/10, we replaced our original gas water heater that came with our house after 17 years. With confidence, we had a 50 gallons, 12-year warranty, Whirlpool energy smart with flame lock safety system gas hot water heater professionally installed. We're not "greenies" by any means, but thought that we could reduce our energy bills by buying the "energy smart" water heater.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater flame lock (Model: fgif404053nov) on 12/12/03 and keep replacing the thermocouples. Whirlpool replaced the first thermocouple and I have had to buy eight thermocouples since. I entered into the Bowen, et al. vs. Whirlpool Corporation in 2008 and was supposed to have gotten a free manifold door assembly kit but I never did.

Our 50-gallon Whirlpool gas water-heater just broke down, conveniently, after the 1-year warranty. We are experiencing the same issues as many other consumers have had with the pilot light not staying lit. We just paid a plumber to install a new thermo-coupler yesterday (Dec. 31, 2010) and today (Jan. 1, 2011) we are still having the same problem.

First and foremost, I have been in the real estate business for 7 years and I have never heard of such nonsense. I purchased my home on Sept. 5, 2007 from a Remax Realtor Randy ** (**). Prior to my purchase, a new roof, carpet and water heater were installed. Three years later, I am having a leak at the top of my unit, so I called the number listed alongside the text that says there is a 6-year warranty! I spoke to a representative on 12/28/2010 who proceeded to give me a difficult time, stating that I had to provide her with a copy of my settlement statement showing that the water heater was part of the sell. I proceeded to call back and spoke to another representative, who then read the notes and coincided with the first representative.

After purchasing the new 40-gallon gas water heater from Lowe's, the pilot light went out and would not stay lit. I found out that there were a lot of problems with this particular manufacturer and that they would provide me a new thermocouple to solve the problem. I picked one up at Lowe's and it was installed and seemed to work fine for a year or so. Then, it started all over again and I am now facing the same problems. I am tired of dealing with this product that obviously suffers from inferior design and/or manufacturing process.

This is my 2nd Whirlpool Water Heater in several years. This latest, a replacement purchased 3/09 from Lowes for a 3 yr old Whirlpool water heater purchased from Lowes-due to the pilot light continually going out. Now this 1 1/2 yr old Whirlpool water heater Mod# UG2F4040T3NV is having the same problem! A Class Action lawsuit is called for! Lowes has no business selling this Whirlpool product knowing its bad history!

My Whirlpool water heater (gas) stopped working; I tried to light up, but it didn't work. I called the gas co. and I was told that it needed service due to the pilot unlit. I went to Lowe's to get the part, they didn't have it. I was told to call the manufacturer, Whirlpool. When I called, I explained what I was told by the gas company. I spoke with Missy. She said that they have to void the warranty due to my property was on flow zone. I told her that was not true, that I have the papers from Escrow when I bought the property six years ago.

Hot water heater that never works. First unit failed multiple times with replacement parts - Thanksgiving 2009. Whirlpool repalced unit (install at our cost), which promptly failed less than six weeks from installation on Christmas Eve (serviced) only to fail again less than 24 hours later. I'll never purchase a Whirlpool (is that GE) appliance again!

My husband & I bought our house & it had the original water heater which lasted for 30 years. Sadly, I don't recall what kind the original one was. It went out & was replaced in 2007 with a Whirlpool. Big mistake. Here we are only a few years later & we have no hot water. A repairman came out today & said it was not fixable. It's leaking & the pilot light wont stay lit. He said we needed to replace it. We got it at Lowe's & thank God, the store was willing to replace it for us. So, as of tomorrow, we will have a new one. I can only hope it will be a better one than this one has been. What has happened? It used to be that brand names were reliable. But not any more. We've been through 2 new microwaves in a matter of a few years.

Whirlpool water heater (model 044212630nov) will not stay lit. You can light the pilot. Sometimes, however, once the burner goes off, the pilot goes out also. I contact Whirlpool and they replaced the thermocouple assembly (they shipped it to me and I installed it) and gas valve. However, this has not fixed the problem. I also cleaned the screen at the bottom of the heater ,even though it wasn't dirty, and this has had no affect.

This is about the resolution to my Whirlpool water heater issue. It had pilot light that would not stay lit. Whirlpool sent a replacement burner assembly that never worked. Four months later, we are still manually lighting the pilot and it would only stay lit for a couple of days at most then finally stopped working altogether. Two weeks without hot water in December is too much!

I purchased at Lowe's a Whirpool 40 gal Natural Gas Hot Water Heater mfg'd by American Water Heater Company (Johnson City, TN) in July 2004. Exactly 6 years later, just before the warranty expired, the pilot light went out and we couldn't get it back on. I called Whirlpool customer service and they sent a replacement thermocouple unit, stating that it was easy for anyone to replace. I am a seasoned DIY-er and this was no simple task. We called in a licensed (Georgia State) plumber to install the unit which cost us $150. The plumber told us that he was very familiar with this unit and that the problem would return even with the new part. He said there was a problem with the burner assembly plus the threading was not industry standard, making it impossible for any professional plumber to adapt and fix the issue.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater model #BFG1F5040T3NOV Serial # **Product # ** last January 2010. Just 10 months after installation, the thermal couple had to be replaced. I also noticed the thermostat gradually moves to hotter settings until it is so hot then auto safety shuts off the water heater. This water heater has manufacturer defects and could potentially result to very serious burns.

Water heater was just three years old Whirlpool Model# BFG2F4040T3NOV and would not stay lit. Called Whirlpool. They said warranty on parts but labor expired at 1 year. I was told by WP to take the burner out and take it back to Lowe's. Burner contains the thermal couple. Okay. This is a one hour job on the floor and I'm not getting any younger! Lowe's gives me a new burner, three hours labor I have it back together and running. Now six months later thermalcoupler is bad, no millivolts output. Called Whirlpool back to inform them of the test and they say go to Lowe's with this case number and they will give you a new $10 thermalcoupler. And also vacuum out the bottom grill as this makes the thremalcoupler go bad if it's clogged (**). Spent four hours putting it in and back together. My aching back! This thing is unreliable, cheaply made. With all the complaints om line there should be a class action suit or an extension of the labor warranty to a full six years. I'll bet that in six months I will be back on the floor replacing the parts again.

Less than two year-old, Whirlpool Model #BFG1F4040T3NOV, 40 gallon Hot Water Heater kept releasing hot water at the pressure relief valve. I was told by our local plumber that it was either the thermocoupler or the gas valve/thermostat that was bad since he had received many complaints of the same type - so much so that they no longer carried or installed Whirlpool water heaters. Checking online I saw why. Nothing but complaints. Most for a pilot light that would continually extinguish and for which none of the suggested repairs by Whirlpool worked.

I purchased a Whirlpool Hot Water Tank and since I have had it, I have had nothing but problems. The thermal couple keeps going out on it. That's is and that's all I wish; that they were made to replace everyone's hot water tanks because I have heard nothing but negative things about this brand and all the problems that it's been causing consumers. They came out with a conversion kit. Well, I got that and it still doesn't work. It won't stay lit, so what now?

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater with Flame Lock System in January 2008. I had to have repairs or replacements on the thermocoupler done in April 2008, Sept 2008, May 2009, Oct 2010 and now it is Nov 26, 2010 & it's out again! This is definitely a defect in their design or I would not have had the same problem 5 times in 2 years! What can be done? I'm tired of dealing with this mess and taking cold showers!

I purchased my home in June 2010 and as part of my contract I was given a home warranty through Fidelity. In September 2010, we began having issues with the water heater pilot going out. When we would re-light it, it would stay lit for a few days to a couple weeks, then go out again and need to be re-lit. The warranty company sent out a repairman from their contracted plumbing company, who stated he could not find anything wrong with the water heater. Several weeks later, the exact same situation occurred, with a different repairman giving us the same story. Several times, the same issue has occurred, but we have simply re-lit the pilot light ourselves since we needed the hot water and didn't have time to wait for someone to come out and tell us the exact same thing; that they couldn't find anything wrong with the water heater.

I have replaced three times the thermocouple on our Whirlpool water heater that is still under warranty. This is habitual and absurd that they have this happen to everyone with these water heaters.

Whirlpool 50 gl hot water heater purchased new at Lowes Home Improvement store (model no. FG2J5040T3NOV UNIT) turned into a lemon last week. Pilot lite went out. I got a free change-out kit and put it in. It worked for three days. Today the lite was out, turned it on and the water heated up but then the pilot lite went out. I turned on the pilot lite but then the burner would not go on. They told me to clean the fire trap, which I did. They said I could get a new temperature valve at Lowes. Lowes did not have it. I called Whirlpool. They are sending out a part. A plumber came by and said he could fix it for $250 once he got the part. I gave up and got a new water heater. This was only four years old with a 12-year warranty. Give me a break.

Issues with Whirlpool Hot Water Heaters made by American Water Heaters continue. And Lowe’s continues to sell them. I purchased a 40-gallon gas Whirlpool water heater (BFG1J4040T3NOV) from Lowe’s on 11/18/08 for a rental unit I owned and had it installed the same day (12-year tank and parts warranty). I thought purchasing a Whirlpool water heater with 12-year warranty would provide me with trouble-free problems.

In the meantime, I have been without hot water for showers or dishes for a minimum of 3 days and counting.

We bought a water heater in 2003 and this is the second time we have had to replace the thermal coupling. We've had unexpected cold showers, replacing the coupling and having to pay someone to replace the coupling.

Purchased hot water heater FG1F404053NOV in 2005. Pilot light would not stay lit. I called a technician that I have a repair contract with and was told I needed to order a part from Whirlpool. I actually got the part from Lowe's for free, so I didn't have to wait for the part but the technician charged me $123.50 because he said the contract only covers normal wear and tear, and this is a manufacture defect.

It will be 5 years since we moved into our house and bought a Whirlpool Hot Water heater. It seems that every six months we are replacing the thermocouple. This water heater is defective and something needs to be done about it. I am tired of not having hot water.

I bought a Whirlpool hot water heater 3 years ago. Heater had a 6 year warranty. I called Whirlpool to get return authorization. Whirlpool representative insisted that I remove the heating element from the heater, wrap Teflon sealing tape around the threads of the element, reinstall the element, and then recheck for leaks. I informed the rep that the tank was leaking, not the seal around the element. The water was streaming from the heater and I could clearly see it was not coming from the element locations. The rep insisted that I perform this "repair" before a return authorization would be granted. I told the rep that I would not waste my time doing this as the leak was due to a rusted through tank, not the element seals.

Hot water went out. I called a repairman. He told me to call Whirlpool. They said I could pick it up at Lowes. I tried seven different Lowes and none of them had part. I called Whirlpool again and they overnighted the part. Now a repairman can't come to fix it. I am without hot water for over a week now.

I purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater model FG1F40400S3NOV in 2005. This is the third time I am having trouble with this. It seems like the thermal couple keeps going. December 09 the whole burner unit had to be changed due to the left handed thread that was used. If somebody wants to give me a Whirlpool product I will have to pass. This product is junk. I have replaced the thermal couple but there appears to be a gas leak inside of the unit.

I am going on my 2nd water heater in 5 yrs. We bought our home in 2005, in which a Whirlpool water heater was already installed brand new. Within 6 mos., the water heater stopped working. We contacted Whirlpool customer service and was told the thermal coupler had to be replaced. They sent us the part and we installed. 5 mos. later, the water heater stopped working. We were so fed up at this point, that we just bought a new one. Within 1yr, it stopped working. I again contacted customer service and was told again that the thermal coupler had to be replaced. Again, we replaced and it worked for another year. It has yet again stopped working. I have had it with Whirlpool water heaters. I will never ever buy a Whirlpool product again.

On Aug 15, 2010, I ordered a Whirlpool LP water heater from Lowe's. After installation and inspection by a county inspector, I noticed that the water was very hot even though the thermostat was set to warm. I rotated the thermostat clockwise to see where the thermostat switched and it was slightly above the Hot setting, very near the mechanical stop. I notified Lowe's about this condition and they sent a technician who also verified that the water was too hot and suggested that I contact American Water Heater Company directly for further instructions.

On 11-09-07 I bought a whirlpool gas water heater that we had installed by a friend. On 11-15-07 our water heater stopped working. I called whirlpool and they said it was the gas control valve and thermostat that’s was bad. On 12-01-07 someone finally came to fix it. On 4-10-08 my water heater went out again and I called whirlpool, they said the thermo coupling was bad so the sent someone out on 4-25-08, the man wasn’t gone for 2hrs and it was out again. I had some out to work on my tank a total of 14 times since I bought the tank and finally last month I said I was calling a lawyer and they told me to return it to Lowes and they would replace it.

This same problem occurred about a month later so I called Whirlpool. They sent out an entire new thermostat assembly which took me about an hour to install. The hot water heater has worked correctly ever since.

Product: Whirlpool gas hot water heater, Model BFGIF4034T3NOV, 30 gallon Purchased: December 2007 [2 years 9 months old today] Retailer: Lowes [They only carry Whirlpool] Problem: Pilot would not stay lit and was very hard to light and overflow pressure valve leaked. Diagnosis: Gas control unit faulty. Electronic pilot igniter was OK. Solution: Throw the Whirlpool on the curb and go to Home Depot which carries both Hotpoint and GE [both are made in Mexico, probably in the same factory].

I purchased from Lowe's, in late 2008, a Gas Water Heater with Flame Lock Model BFG1F404053NOV and keep having problems with the pilot light. Now, I have to wait another two days for the repair to come out. No hot water. I am a breast cancer patient and don't need this further aggravation. So many people with so many problems with this gas heater. Something needs to be done for all of us. This is just not right.

We purchased a Whirlpool model #FGIJ5040 T3NOV in November 2005, but I will never buy a Whirlpool product again. This is the 3rd time we have had to repair this water heater in 5 years. Nothing but problems. We just paid $93.97 a year ago and it needs to be fixed again. We ordered this part from American Water Heater. We have been without hot water too many times with this thing.

I bought a Whirlpool model FG1F4040S3PV water heater approximately 3 1/2 years ago. One day the pilot light would not light so I called the toll free warranty number in the owner’s man. And I was told that they would have to ship the whole ther. unit because it had left handed threads. After waiting 3 days, received and replaced the unit. It fixed the problem until now. Now the pilot light will light but will go out 1 to 2 times a day. Whirlpool has definitely gone in the wrong direction with quality. All of my appliances in the past have been Whirlpool. I will be changing that in the very near future.

This past Feb. or Mar. time frame, we had to buy a new hot water heater because we were having problems with the one that was bought before we bought our home. About six months after we bought this house, we had to replace the thermal coupling and it was one of your reverse thread type which none of the dealers have on hand. We had to order it and I ended up having to pay the shipping charges, which I think is not right. Six (6) months after this, we had to replace the hot water heater because it was not holding the water and wouldn't warm up even if we had it all the way on high. So we had to buy a new one and again we had to pay for it.

I bought an FG model Whirlpool Water Heater from Lowe's like a lot of other people who have posted here. I have had it for about 5-6 yrs, I can't remember exactly, and I have not had trouble until last night. The pilot light went out and would not reignite. I went out to Lowe's to pick up a new thermocouple for it. I know quite a bit about home repairs and I could not find the left hand threaded one that this particular model had. Obviously, the universal ones will not work.

Our thermal coupler went out and we went days without hot water as we did not have the money to hire a plumber. My husband was trying to learn how to fix the problem on his own. We are very dissatisfied because the hot water heater is only about 4 years old.

In May 2007, I purchased a Whirlpool model SG1J4040T3NOV 40-gallon water heater from Lowe's with a supposed eight-year warranty. There are only two of us in the home and I've had nothing but problems with it. I just finished replacing the control valve and the lighting is still sporadic. No more Whirlpools for me.

Whirlpool has been responsive in getting the replacement parts, but this is getting old. We purchased PN fdih4040t3nov back in February 2005. The TSTAT went out in 9/2008. It started having problems with the pilot lite. The gas valve then had to be replaced in 4/2009. Restarting the pilot is quite a process now with this heater and now it is taking longer to heat the water in the tank. I'm not sure what that is. Other water heaters I have had lasted 15 years with no problems until they just stopped working. This has been the worst.

I have a Whirlpool gas water heater purchased from Lowes with model number 1F3030T3NOHV and I have had nothing but problems with it. It’s been going out the past two years. It had the gas valve replaced in January of 2010 and has gone out this week for the third time. I have had it up to here with them. There should definitely be a recall or class action lawsuit. I am writing this to further that cause and encourage someone with similar problems to make them known. Whirlpool, never ever again!

I bought two water heaters from American Water Heaters a few years ago. One pilot went out and would not light. I couldn’t get to relight. I ordered parts. They worked for about a week and it started doing the same thing. I decided to check on the internet and found lots of people having the same issues with pilots, thermocouple units and a class action lawsuit. I decided to forgo fixing it and bought a Whirlpool from Lowes.

My complaints are only starting. It first started with our Whirlpool water heater going out and discharging cold water. We followed the instructions on relighting, it would heat for a few minutes then cut out again. We continued the same progress on lighting and more and more, the pilot light would not remain lit after releasing the red button. We then were told the thermocouple was out. So we replaced it by buying a new one. During installation, we found out that the threads that hook up to the control panel were threaded for a left-handed unit. We then made several trips to 2 appliance stores in our area, with no luck. Then we were told Lowe's had them.

I have a Whirlpool Flame Lock gas water heater, which I purchased from Lowes in 2006. This is sold only by Lowes. Class Action settled on thermocouple. Two have been replaced on this water heater. I am under mental anguish.

Anyone looking for a water heater should steer well clear of anything Whirlpool offers. I bought one five years ago and have had nothing but problems with it. While the tank still holds water, the tank destroys thermocouples like they are going out of style. When these things go out, they are dead forever. For models with the flame lock system, thermocouples will cost 3 or 4 times what a normal thermocouples costs and they are left hand threaded. So you can't just put on a regular thermocouples without changing the entire thermostat. I finally broke down and replaced the thermostat (over $50.00 American currency) after the ** thing went through 3 in 2 weeks.

Around the end of June 2010, the same thing happened to our Whirlpool Flame Guard water heater built by American Water Heaters. The lack of air circulation due to the tiny vent caused the flame to starve for oxygen making it flare out and trip the thermal fuse. When this happens, the thermocouple stops working and the pilot light goes out. No replacement parts were available. Only by requesting and receiving the burner upgrade assembly were we able to get the water heater working again. Luckily, I'm a bit handy with a wrench, otherwise, it would have cost us money to have it installed. Needless to say, no more Whirlpool for me, period.

My FG1H5040T3NOV water heater pilot lite went out. Whirlpool sent a new valve; it's still out. Then I was informed that I should have a retrofit kit with new thermocouple set up. So I'm on my third day with no hot water; I sit and wait.

I purchased a 40-gallon Whirlpool water heater (bfg2f4040t3nov) from Lowes about 4 years ago. That's pretty ancient for this model so I wasn't too surprised when the little plastic thermal switch that was attached to the base crumbled off while I was performing standard maintenance (i.e. replacing the thermocouple assembly unit). I'm not sure if this is dangerous, so I initially didn't turn it on. But, I changed my mind during yet another freezing cold shower and went down and turned on the gas. Fortunately, the pilot light wouldn't stay on, allowing me to come to my senses. I do hope my next water heater won't encourage me to risk my life. So far just a week of cold showers, parts, and time spent performing life-threatening repairs.

My 87 year old mother, has had repeated repairs done on her hot water tank. 6 times in a year and a half, and twice this week already. Labor is killing us, parts you might pay for, but that's a problem too. I know she is tired of the stress, and will never buy another Whirlpool product. It must be a lemon. All I hear is one thing or another. I have incurred t of pocket expenses amounting to $200 or more, for all the times she has called a plumber.

Purchased a 50-gallon Whirlpool hot water heater three years ago and have had to replace the ignition/thermocouple assembly twice. This last time, Lowe's gave me the part for free but it cost (again) $150 to have it installed. Cold showers and unnecessary work lost having to wait for repairmen. This shouldn't happen unless they are 10 years old.

I am on my third Whirlpool gas hot water heater in 7 years. I have also replaced the thermocoupler in one twice. I have bought the hot water heaters from Lowe's and do not blame them but Whirlpool is no longer one of the better brands to buy.

We bought our Whirlpool Gas water heater from Lowes in 2004. We have had to replace the thermocoupler three times. The warranty service supplied one of the thermocouplers, but we had to pay overnight postage. Now, the water heater is leaking. The six year warranty expires next month. I would not ever try contacting Whirlpool service again. It is not worth the frustration. My choice is to never buy any Whirlpool appliance, and to stop shopping at Lowes.

I am another victim of a Whirlpool junk water heater! I have a fg1h5040t3nov model. First off, I have had nothing but trouble with the pressure relief valve. I call Whirlpool, the water tank dept. "Oh,your temp is set to high." It's only on medium so I turned it down a number of times until the valve stopped leaking/dripping. Then I got to clean up all the mess created by the leak! Now the thermocouple went bad. There's no hot water for 3 days while I waited for the "retrofit kit" to arrive.. I replaced it according to the instructions and guess who started leaking again? You guessed it, the relief valve(!) which by the way is set to vacation. I called the Whirlpool 877 number again and got another incompetent ** asking "are you sure the setting is on vacation?"

I bought the first Flame Lock, Whirlpool hot water heater in Dec.2003,model # FG1H4040T3NOV and had to replace it in Aug. 2005 because the pilot light would not stay lit. Whirlpool did give me an RA # for this one. In Nov. 2007 pilot light again would not stay lit, contacted the customer service # again and Whirlpool sent me a kit for the burner assembly. Thank God I can do my own repair work! Then in Oct. 2008, same problem pilot would not stay lit.Whirlpool sent me a improved burner assembly kit. Of course I am having to pay postage on all of this!

I bought a Whirlpool water heater from Lowes in 2005. I had the KIT-Termalstat replaced in 2008. In July of 2010, it broke again. They offered to give me a certificate for replacement if you take it out, and return it to Lowes. I had to pay someone to install it, last time. They refused to pay for the installation. This is stupid. Do not buy from American Water Heaters or Lowes

I purchased a Whirlpool Water Heater, G1J5040T3NOV from Lowes. I have done the recall on thermo coupler myself. No one would work on it. It’s been a pain in the ** since I bought it. I will have to buy a new one. Definitely, it will not be at Lowes or Whirlpool!

I have several Whirlpool water heaters and have had terrible problems with every single one of them! I have rental properties and I have had to hire multiple service technicians many times for each unit. I have tenants who have been so frustrated that they have moved! I have trouble dealing with Whirlpool. The last time I talked with them, being very frustrated, they hung up on me. I have easily spent enough on technicians that I could have installed brand new units!

I am a person that researches everything and it happened upon this site as I was attempting to learn about the problem we were having with our Whirlpool/Envirotemp water heater. I would just like to share my experience, as it was a good one. I dialed the toll free number on Whirlpool site and was directed to contact **** for replacement parts for the water heater. Let me back up a step. We first had Burton Plumbing come out for a charge of $59 just to tell us what supposedly was wrong and leave an estimate to replace those items, $296.26 for the burner assembly, etc. and $498.59 for the main gas valve/thermostat.

My complaint is about a Whirlpool gas water heater with the flame lock safety system that I purchased at Lowes in Clinton, Utah on September 2008. In November 2008, a couple of days before Thanksgiving, the pilot light went out and would not stay on. I contacted Whirlpool; they gave me a case number and said they would send me a new control overnight delivery. I called everyday throughout the weekend waiting for the part to get deliver and finally after some research they found the part was never picked or sent. I was really upset because with a family of 6, we had to boil water every day for at least 6 days due to the Holiday.

Lowe's sold defective hot water heater from Whirlpool 50 gallon SG1J5040T3NOV, Model # 0733156. I have been the subject of class action lawsuits in the past but Lowe's continues to sell them to unsuspecting people who don't know until they check troubleshooting information on them. Nothing comes up but bad things about the water heaters and the fact that Whirlpool and Lowe's knows about it.

** 2 1/2 year old water heater that is not working again. I am sitting here waiting for a plumber to show up right now. This cost too much money to be going without hot water again. About $500 for the water heater and $650 for installation. This guy is going to tell me he can't work on it again and that I have to buy a new one. I already heard it on the phone. I should discuss that in person.

I bought a Whirlpool hot water heater and came to find out it's the one with all the problems. I contacted customer service, and they overnighted a new burner and pilot and gas valve and it works so far. I just got it back in service tonight--gas pilot is still on! Hopefully, this will fix it.

We purchased an electric hot water heater 7 years ago. It was an Energy Smart with the self-diagnostic control system. We are lucky to be alive. The hot water heater is in a closet in the bedroom. The wires shorted out and melted. They melted the cover where they came out of the control box and they scorched the shelf above. If there had been anything above, it would have caught fire and killed us. My husband took it out and bought a basic hot water heater without a computer board. It was not from Lowe's and it was not a Whirlpool. We had to purchase a new hot water heater. It was an inconvenience and frankly scary as hell to realize how close we came to being crispy critters.

I have replaced the thermo coupling 3 times on this water heater. The last one has worked for 2 years. Beware, last night my house filled with carbon monoxide from the water heater. These hot water heaters do not work well in a small room. I replaced a hot water heater with this one and used the same flue. If you have one of these hot water heaters, buy a carbon monoxide detector. I am going to buy an electric hot water heater and trash the Whirlpool Gold.

Whirlpool flame lock water heater. I have replaced thermocouple 3 times in 4 years. Very poorly designed and extremely hard to fit new thermocouple. Unit sucks. I wish I could get Lowe’s to come out and replace it.

Water heater purchased in 11/05 with 6-year warranty. In the past 3 months, there are two defective parts. Parts unavailable locally and must be shipped. No hot water during this time. No service available. I must pay my own plumber. Whirlpool refuses to honor warranty. I’m paying a plumber out of my own pocket.

I purchased in 2005 at Lowe’s a Whirlpool gas hot water heater with flame lock. In addition, it came with a 9-year warranty. It started Christmas Eve 2009. I had people coming over that night and about 1 pm we found out the hot water heater was not working; my husband spend several hours trying to re-light it. We then decided we would try to contact a qualified plumber. We were lucky to get someone who was on his way home and going past our house. He was there for 3 hours giving up time with his family.

Whirlpool Hot Water Heaters. Within the last few weeks, I have had to replace the the complete thermocouple assembly kit. Yes, I had to go to Lowe's to get the parts because this part has caused me a hardship. Lowe's does not stock this item in all the stores. I had to travel 62 miles in order to get the unit. This alone was bad enough. Now let's take the price of gas, the wear and tear on my truck and tires. The time it took was about three hours give or take. Now, we come down to the fact that I could not charge the customer for time and labor.

I have been having problems with my Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's. I keep getting parts for the water heater at the request from Whirlpool customer service from Lowe's and it still doesn't work. I called the gas company and they came out and checked it, the gas tech explained to me that these water heaters are always having problems. Doing research on the internet, these water heaters are a major problem. They don't work. Is there a way to get my money back or a replacement water heater? Is there a lawsuit or anything because of these water heaters? Please help. No hot water for five days and counting.

I started having the pilot light issue in our 7-year old Whirlpool water heater a few months ago, but had been able to relight the pilot each time until yesterday. After reading about the ongoing problems and class action suit against Whirlpool, I called Lowe's and if they had any of the repair kits. The person I spoke to said they needed the repair kit letter so I called Whirlpool directly. They told me I needed kit C and that they would overnight it to me free of charge if Lowe's didn't have one. I called Lowe's back and they were out, but said they would call Whirlpool and call me back. 10 minutes later, they called back and said that they would receive more in tomorrow, but that another store nearby had one and they were holding it for me.

I have a gas water heater from Whirlpool. After replacing the same parts at least twice (which had to cost more than the water heater), I got an RA# and replaced the water heater. That was less than a year ago. Now, the same *** thing is happening! The pilot light will not stay lit. This has been inconvenient. Having already dealt with this company for months to get things fixed. Them wanting to make me redo the troubleshooting. Time is a commodity not many of us have and when I spend hundreds of dollars on something, I expect it to work! I will never buy anything Whirlpool again and will make my opinion be heard to as many people as I can reach! The internet and word of mouth are the best advertising tools! Going without hot water because an appliance is made crappy is horrible, especially when you are buying a brand that should be trusted. Too bad. They used to be a wonderful company.

This is an update to an earlier posting about my Whirlpool hot water model #BFG1F404053NOV. As I said before, this all started on 11/7/08. Every month or two having to replace the thermocouple and always the gas control/flame guard. This is very costly for a single mother. Sometimes, the company will ship the gas control to me for free but then I'm waiting 3 days or more for hot water. I can't afford the cost of having it taken out and the new one installed anymore. The guy was even giving my a discount. He had to do it so much, but for me $75.00 is a lot but it's the cheapest I found! So since my last posting, I'm on my 2nd gas control.

I contacted US/ Craftmasters Water Heater Comp. They are being answered by Whirlpool. I have a FG1F4034T3NOV and am having the same problems as others listed here where the flame won't stay on. I contacted them today and found that they have a replacement burner assembly that they are "overnighting" to me to resolve this issue. This is not a complaint but a resolution to posted issues listed here.

I purchased the Whirlpool gas water heater in 04/06 at Lowe's. We have had to replace the thermocouple twice and it's out again. This time within a month apart. This was the second Whirpool water heater we have purchased within a 6 year period. When the first one went out, I didn't think about checking for recalls. I have decided to replace the water heater with a GE from Home Depot. This time I will purchase the full replacement warranty. I have all Whirpool appliances in my house presently, but will never buy another one of their products.

We bought a Whirlpool water heater less than 2 years ago. About 2 days ago, the pilot light went out. My husband kept lighting it. It continued to go out. Then he couldn't light it. We went to Lowe's to get the part and they told us that this is an ongoing problem with the thermal coupler and that they would give us one for free but they didn't have the one that we need. We will have to go to Reno to get one, and again no hot water, nice cold shower.

Water stopped lighting up, so call the gas company out to fix it. They told me that my model was a recall, and to call whirlpool so I did. They said that the Gas control valve thermostat needed to be replaced so they shipped it out and sear came out to install it. A day later, the water heater went out again, so called Whirlpool and they said there was nothing that they can do.

I called Whirlpool due to a bad thermocouple in my Water Heater. The Water Heater was still under its 6 year warranty which says parts and labor. Whirlpool shipped me new parts which I had my local plumbing company install. Although the parts were free, I had to pay the plumber $247.50. When I called Whirlpool to complain and inform them of the cost they could care less said to write the corporate office Whirlpool.

Hot water heater was purchased in 11/06. It broke down twice in 2007. It then broke down every couple of months in 2008 + 2009. There was always a recall on it, so just kept going to Lowe's and they would just give me a brand new heater assembly unit. When it broke last, I heard a loud popping, saw smoke and smelled electrical burning, so I just went and turned off the gas and shut off the breaker. I immediately called the next day and got up to level 1 service who then blamed the situation on me.

I bought a Whirlpool gas hot water heater in 2003. I just paid $153.76. to have the thermocouple replaced. My serviceman warned me about these heaters. I am on a fixed income and cannot continue to pay for repairs.

I'm a single mother with a limited income, so when my hot water heater went out I thought Whirlpool. Right, there-- a good name. Wrong! I bought mine 11/7/08. I had to pay to have my old one taken out, and now this one installed. So once installed, he goes to light it and guess what, the orange igniter wire's missing. Just not there. So, the store let me exchange it and again I had to pay to have it installed. Then more problems 1/09, replaced thermocoupler, same on 4/09.

I had an electric water heater which is less than 2 years old that burst apart at the seam when I wasn't home. My home had almost $20000 in damage from flooding. The insurance company pursued this claim through arbitration and they said it was faulty installation. We installed it ourselves and made no alterations. They did not even see how it was installed, so how can they rule it as such. The insurance company said they had several from Whirlpool with these issues.

We own a 40-gallon gas Whirlpool water heater. After 4 years, we started having problems with the pilot light; it would not stay lit. I received several replacement parts to make the repairs according to Whirlpool's support service. After months of frustration, today we were finally given an authorization code to replace the water heater. Unfortunately, we'll have to replace it with another Whirlpool water heater.

I have a Whirlpool water heater 40 gallon tank, almost exactly 3 years old. It has a 9 year warranty for tank and parts. The pilot will not stay lit. We have been without hot water since Saturday, April 24th. Today is Tuesday, April 27th (4 days later). My 76-year old mother lives with us. I was told I needed a universal igniter switch by Whirlpool's Customer Service Dept (in India) and it could be purchased at Lowe's or any plumbing supply store, not true. After running to multiple stores, I called them back and they promptly mailed out a replacement igniter switch. I replaced the igniter switch. The pilot lit after some repeated tries. I checked on it one hour later and the pilot was out again.

As soon as it was installed the top valve has leaked water, then the thermocuple went bad, only 4 years old and it is left hand threaded stupid when all others are right hand threaded my old one was over 25 years old before it ever had a problem. Guess I am done buying Whirlpool products. Total inconvenience and expense for repair man to put convertor on. [No] thanks for all the trouble Whirlpool!

I purchased a home that has a Whirlpool electric water heater. It was purchased in 2001 with a "Lifetime Warranty" by the previous home owner and now Whirlpool won't honor the "Lifetime warranty". They told me it is non-transferable. How can a "lifetime warranty" be non-transferable. I have to purchase another water heater in a house I just bought even though when I bought the house the water heater said life time warranty.

I purchased a gas water heater from Lowe's in Sept., 2004. Just last week, 4-18-10, the pilot light went out, and I could not get it to re-ignite. I called Whirlpool and they sent me a new "kit" to replace the burner. I think it included the thermocouple. After paying $125 to have that installed, the plumber told me that it still was not igniting. I called several plumbers after that. All of them told me that Whirlpool water heaters were inferior products. Some said that they would not touch a Whirlpool water heater or any replacement parts because most of the time, the new parts do not fix the problem. After putting the new parts that Whirlpool sends out, they have customers calling back very upset at the plumbers, thinking that it's their fault.

I have had the water heater for a little less than two years. I keep having to replace the thermocouple, ignition, and gas control valve. I have read a lot about the air flow problems, and I wire brush the screen monthly. It just quit working again, and the pilot light won't ignite.

I purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater about 5 years ago (which is still under warranty). The pilot light started going out all the time. I contacted Whirlpool and they did send me a replacement part that lasted 5 minutes. I ended up going out and purchasing a new hot water heater. I’m spending $600 that wasn't expected.

I purchased Whirlpool model **** energy smart water heater with flame lock safety system from Lowes. Do not purchase this product! If it goes bad as mine did, it will cost you dollars. I owned this product for 4 years. At the end of that time, I began having problems with the pilot staying lit. I called a service technician to look at it. He replaced a part that he felt would fix it and I got a bill for $145.00. The very next day, the same problem with the pilot was back. This time I called the customer service number on the installation booklet. This is the only contact information listed. My call was promptly sent on to India where I spent most of the call trying to understand what was being said.

My Whirlpool hot water heater went out after 6 years. I did not know about the Class Action Suit against Whirlpool for this water heater. The heater also leaked ruining the carpet. I now have to replace the hot water heater and have it installed for $980.

I have the same problem as everyone else with this item. I am replacing the thermocouple for the second time in 3 months. What needs to happen is they need to replace the heaters with one that works.

Like many other people, I have had to replace the thermocouple on my Whirlpool gas water heater several times. In the past, this had been an inconvenience, but at least I was able to obtain the replacement part and get it installed. This time, however, I can't find the part anywhere. I tried the retailer, Lowe's, where I had found it before, but they didn't have it. I tried Lowe's parts hotline, and they didn't have it. Whirlpool doesn't offer it. Independent Whirlpool parts dealers don't recognize the model number on the side of my heater. As a result, I'm having to replace a perfectly good water heater for the sake of a twenty dollar replacement part. It's as though Whirlpool and Lowe's are washing their hands of a problem by forcing an unreliable product to the junk pile.

We purchased a water heater approximately 2 years ago. Whirlpool 50-gallon gas (model # BFG1F5040T3NOV; serial # 0651101371). We began having problems on Sunday, April 4, 2010. There’s no hot water. We had a plumber check it out on Monday, April 5, 2010. It was the thermocouple unit. We contacted Whirlpool and they had the whole unit sent--the gas control valve, the thermocouple unit and all its components. It was installed on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, and the pilot went out again on Thursday, April 8, 2010. We have scheduled an appointment for Friday, April 9, 2010, for the plumber to come out again. We have already spent $195 for these services and probably will have to replace the unit since I have read there are numerous complaints on the Whirlpool water heaters. This water heater was purchased from Lowe’s. We have spent $195 so far for the plumber to install the parts and now we probably will have to pay for a new unit since there seems to be a massive defect in these units.

I bought a house recently with a 16-month old 50-gal all gas water heater from Whirlpool. I didn't get hot water, so I called Whirlpool. They gave me several numbers, which I ended up holding for 30 minutes each. Finally got them on the line and they told me I need to replace thermocouple but never said they would send any. So I, without being informed about warranty, go into Lowe's and buy one. It was only $7.99. Whatever. I called the plumber and installed it. Still don't get hot water. I called them again--now they say it's the gas valve. On top of that, they're saying the 12-year warranty that was on the heater was voided when the original owner moved out and I moved in. I say the warranty has to go with the house not the person and that's ridiculous. They say they will send the part free of charge only this time. I hate Whirlpool.

We have a water heater that was purchased approximately 4 years ago which came with a 12-year warranty. A few months ago, the water heater started making these cracking, popping sounds at any given time of the day, including at night. The water heater has regularly been drained. After raising the issue with Whirlpool, we were told we had to drain the water heater, pour a gallon of white vinegar down the cold water pipe into the heater and let it stand for 6 hours. After which the heater had to be drained of the vinegar and refilled with water. This was done twice and the cracking, popping sound continues. We informed Whirlpool and they sent a thermocouple part to replace, which we feel has nothing to do with the problem.

I bought a Whirlpool 40-gallon gas water heater in 2005 and installed it myself. I've had to replace the thermocouple sometimes twice a year. Now it's out again, and of course it's left hand thread and Lowe's only sells right hand thread. I can't find a left hand thread anywhere. I didn't even think it might be covered under warrant until I read some of the post on here. I just wanted to post my problems, too.

I do not have exact dates at the moment, but around 16 months ago we purchased a water heater from Lowes. It was a Whirlpool. In early March the pilot light would not stay lit. After research I found this is a common issue and eventually Whirlpool sent a plumber out free of charge who said I needed a new thermocouple which was sent U.P.S. in a day or so. I then was told that I would have to wait for the tech to come back and install it. My other option was to install it myself which is what I did. It was a simple procedure considering I'm quite mechanically inclined. Well, that did not solve the issue of the pilot light not staying lit.

I bought a Whirlpool gas water heater in September of 2009. After the plumber installed it, the thermocouple had to be replaced on the spot (first one). We did call American Water Heater and got the thermocouple replaced and our bill for the plumber. Then in November of 2009, we had to get another one which was free of charge via Lowe's. It is now March 2010 and now it needs replaced again. We will get a new one again via American Water Heater but the plumber is on us or they tell us we can do it ourselves. Now, they tell us this is that last one they can give us because of the warranty so that is three thermocouples in a six-month time frame.

I bought my condo in 2006. The water heater was from after 2004 and is a 36000 BTU/40 gal. It looks like it lasted longer then the rest but still followed the same failure pattern. Now, I'm not sure what % of their sales the 397 pages of complaints listed here, combined with the countless others that have not been reported or reported elsewhere represent from the total number of units they made but there has to be some threshold where as nearly a thousand complaints of the same problem can be channeled in a way that produces a reaction. Aren't they bound by some expectation of quality by which they would be required to correct such an obvious of a defect?

I hope the Consumer Affairs administrator puts this as an addendum or close to the issues I wrote recently about the problem I have had with the 50 gallon Whirlpool gas water heater which kept shutting itself off and leaving us with cold water for days on end. I wrote a complaint to American Water Heater Company and personally went to Lowe's initially to purchase the correct thermocoupler because it's apparently a proprietary part that's left threaded rather than the usual right thread. I showed them the complaint I had written to American water heater, but they didn't have the part I needed in stock.

My complaint is with Lowe's for recommending a 50 gallon Whirlpool gas hot water heater. Evidently, I am in good company after reading all the complaints that are basically exactly to mine: a 14 month old hot water heater, the pilot does not stay lit. It is Saturday. I have a four-hour window on Monday to wait for a Sears service person to make my hot water heater operable. Clearly, this problem is not unique to me. Clearly, Lowe's knew 14 months ago that particular hot water heater had been plagued with complaints and problems from consumers.

My water heater stop working, and I call Whirlpool service, they told me is not in warranty (I had buy this unit three years ago) the warranty said 9 years for inner tank and parts also for 9 years. It was frustrating, I type the model number so many times and all the time said (match not found) is like my unit wasn't ever made. I found help through Yahoo help forum, they told me big chances are the thermocouple. I went to home depot and buy the universal.

I bought a 50 gallon gas water heater from Lowes about two years ago as a replacement for my original that lasted since 1987. The pilot light began going out and initially I thought it was the wind blowing down the roof vent. I kept having to go out and relight it and eventually it refused to restart. I've researched this issue and found that hundreds of complaints have been lodged against Whirlpool and Lowe's for the exact same problem. I found that California (where I live) filed a class action suit against Whirlpool, Lowes, and American Water Heater. American makes heaters for Sears, Whirlpool, and other brands that put their logos on these same heaters.

We bought a whirlpool water heater. We had the thermal coupling and the door replaced about a few months ago. We are once again out of hot water. Our plumber can't fix it because whirlpool will not send them the parts. We called whirlpool and got no where. We are giving up and going and purchasing a new water heater. I do hope that enough people complain and a lawsuit is filed. It [is bad] not having hot water. We have to heat water on the stove for all of our needs.

I called the Whirlpool customer service number and spoke to Chris. I advised that the pilot light keeps going out and I checked the gas supply line and have enough gas pressure going to the control valve. He stated I would need to pay for shipping of a retrofit replacement part to replace the left hand threaded setup as originally manufactured. I decided to call my local Lowe’s store and was advised they have the replacement part too which saved my waiting for the shipped part to arrive.

My Whirlpool water heater purchased and installed on August 2008 has had one service call in 2009 (pilot will not stay lit) and again tomorrow, 3/5/10 because of the same problem. This time, Whirlpool will pay for the parts, but not the labor. I'm retired and if this is going to happen every year, I feel Whirlpool should replace the water heater. I cannot afford to keep paying for labor to repair this piece of junk. It has been 2 days now without hot water. The Rheem water heater that was installed in this home in 1999 had not one problem, no one ever had to come out and fix anything on that product. I was advised that I should replace it because of it's age (so sorry I did). I spent good money on this Whirlpool and feel that it has not lived up to Whirlpool's once great reputation.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater from Lowe's in February 2008 and it quit working. Pilot won't stay lit. See numerous problems with this product on this site including successful class action lawsuit. However, my newer model still has the defect! Model No. BFG1F4040S3NOV.

My Whirlpool hot water heater went out, my plumber had to order the part directly from Whirlpool and we got it overnight. He put the replacement part the next day which seemed to have fixed the problem until I awoke to no hot water again this morning. This is an on going problem with Whirlpool from what I have read. So now, I'm stuck with the $150 labor bill and also having to buy a new water heater. Don't buy Whirlpool. Make sure you research water heater brand names. Bradford and White has the best reputation. You might pay a little more upfront but you'll be glad you did.

Whirlpool 50 gallon gas (propane) tank purchased 12/2006 tanks pilot light continues to go out. We found through our local plumber that the tank leaks within (inside) and drips on the thermal coupler. The safety shuts the gas off because of too much water leaking. We have four kids and two adults in the house. No hot water! We have no family close by. We are considering buying a new hot water heater. Not Whirlpool! (I have all whirlpool gold appliances, because I thought they were the best and stood by their product. No more! And Lowes will not get my business ever again!

We have a Whirlpool water heater and have replaced the thermocoupler multiple times and am truly so sick of having to replace the part and you at Whirlpool should have to replace the water heater. I will go up the ladder as far as I have to.

I filed a complaint on Monday, March 2, 2010, about Whirlpool's Flame Lock Gas Water Heaters, after reading numerous complaints on this unit. I called Whirlpool Monday morning and they had a Sear's tech out to my house on Monday at 1 pm. He was able to resolve the issue. He replaced the control box and so far so good. I did not have to pay for any parts since my water heater is covered for six years. I thought I would have to pay for the labor but that was free of charge since the unit was defective. So at this time, I am please with the outcome since I did not have to pay for any services.

Less than a year ago, I replaced my water heater with the Whirlpool Flame Lock Gas Water Heater. The pilot light will not stay lit. We have replaced the sensor and it still is not working. I should not have to replace anything with only a year into the new product. I have read numerous complaints on this model and was wondering if there had been a recall. I do not have money to spend out of pocket for such repairs. I have contacted Whirlpool and I am awaiting a reply.

Bought a water heater from Lowes 3 years ago. It decided to stop working. Tried to light the pilot with no luck. Called my plumber. When the name "Whirlpool" was mentioned, he knew exactly what the problem was. He told me to call Lowes, where it was bought, and they would supply a free burner and thermocouple. Made the call. Smart alek in plumbing advised me that the parts were on back order. He did, however, have a temporary fix I could buy, pay my plumber to install and Lowes would call me when the parts came in. At that point, I could pay my plumber again to install the parts. Needless to say, I purchased a Rheem and had it installed.

The water heater continues to malfunction and not stay lit. Whirlpool sent me replacement parts which actually made the problem worse. They are sending more replacement parts which they say will certainly fix the problem, but if it doesn't, I will call back. I have discovered that I am not the only person experiencing this problem. It is in fact very common with the Whirlpool Flame Lock series. Me and my family are unable to bath, clean, or cook properly due to the lack of hot water in our house.

I am writing this for my mother. She had work done on her house by a government agency and they installed a Whirlpool hot water heater. The heater's pilot light has gone out several times since it was installed in 2007. It is under a six year warranty. When she called, she is told to uninstall the water heater, take it to Lowe's, exchange it and then on her own dime have it re-installed.

We had been experiencing problems with a water heater from Whirlpool. They finally had a recall and replaced it in 2008. We are now having the same issue with the replacement water heater. Of course we had to pay for the cost of the second install because they would not cover it, only the water heater. So we actually had to pay twice to get a water heater installed. The first time we chose to have it installed (not a problem). The second time, Whirlpool gave us no choice. If we wanted it replaced, we had to pay for installation. It was not our fault they had a defective product, yet we had to pay.

I rent a home and am currently on second water heater since I have lived here for 5 years. This one was installed 2 years ago and the same exact problem is occurring as with the first one. This is also an exchange from Lowe's, who are also responsible for this problem continuing on as the last line of sellers to the public. I have lit the pilot so many times. I'm surprised nothing has exploded. Total hazard no matter who you are; and lukewarm showers and dishwasher, too. We're a pretty easy going family. What, with power outages and cold showers, but it’s crazy to know that a scam like this occurs and nobody has our unwashed backs.

I have just received the fifth and final Gas regulator valve for my 40 gallon hot water tank that is 13 months old. This is absolutely ridiculous and by the sounds of it, very popular. How can a major corporation have such shotty workmanship that the tank doesn't even function for a year? Where is the integrity that use to belong to Whirlpool? I am very disturbed by their lack of interest in fixing the ongoing problem as now my warranty only covers parts. This is it for me and Whirlpool, they can take their low quality products and sell them over seas. Maybe they will appreciate the poor workmanship.

As a plumber, I've interceded for quite a few people and got satisfaction. Your plumber must clean the flame lock screen from above and below or the replacement parts will not work. That is what makes the thermocouple quit; too much heat due to poor air flow. Bug Whirlpool for their proprietary vacuum attachment, for free, by the way.

We had this problem with the Whirlpool water heater, needless to say, same situation. What I don't understand is why Whirlpool sends a defective part to replace another defective part. This is the third time that I changed the part in less than 8 months. I would like to know if all of us can get a new water heater at no charge for all the inconvenience. We have no hot water to bath or wash clothes.

The Whirlpool 50 gl. Hot water heater was purchased new at Lowe's home improvement store. Model # fg2j5040t3nov unit has been repaired three times for the same concern, pilot will not stay lit. I have no hot water.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater through Lowes 1.25 years ago. A $5 part went out and Whirlpool operators in India proceeded to tell me that I would have to call a repair technician and they will replace the part. After 3 service calls, incorrectly shipped parts and lack of understanding basic English, my service bill for my water heater with warranty came to a whopping $350!

Purchased water heater five years ago. It's warranted for six yrs. Thermocouple is defective. When I bought the product, I had asked my plumber to recommend a good brand. I have called Whirlpool because plumber has passed the buck to them. They are shipping my replacement part overnight, good news. Bad news my UPS does not deliver until 6pm my time. So now three days of no hot water. My beef is that Whirlpool did not notify anyone of this defect via a notice.

My Whirlpool 40 Gallon Hot Water Tank is in need of a new thermocouple. By the looks of the other comments, I should be glad it lasted this long. Whirlpool is sending me the parts but I've decided to cut bait and put in a Rheem. I'm done with Whirlpool and Lowe's. Home Depot is now going to get my business.

I have recently gone through the horrendous experience known as the Whirlpool hot water tank disaster. I purchased my 50-gallon flame lock Whirlpool hot water tank in June 2005. I purchased the hot water tank based on the premise that Whirlpool is a well-respected company that will honor its product’s warranty should its product fail. Wow, how wrong that statement is from being truthful. I am one of the lucky ones as my hot water tank almost lasted 5 whole years. It started as routine with the pilot light going out and not restarting with the attached igniter.

Our water heater model starting with "FG" pilot light stopped working after five years. Had a company out to check the problem. He informed us that our water heater has had this problem for awhile. We called Whirlpool and they sent out an adapter for the left handed thermal coupler. After installation, it worked only work six days then same symptoms as before. There is plenty of air flow and no other blockages to case this problem. Call center personnel are rude when dealing with this issue.

I have to press the reset button on my Whirlpool gas hot water heater and then it only lasts 15-30 minutes. I complained to Lowes and they said that I need an RA number to give me the replacement upgrade. The model number is **** with product number ****. There is a total inconvenience when it comes to using hot water at any time. I am always pressing the reset-lighting pilot-wait for hot water before use.

After my tenant's water heater with model number **** broke, I called Whirlpool's technical assistance line to troubleshoot the problem. The service representative said that the pilot light no longer turns on because of a faulty igniter. Whirlpool sent a new conversion kit A which I had installed by a professional plumber since this was working with a gas appliance. After paying $125 for this installation cost, the igniter turned on but a few hours later, my tenant called and said that the pilot light was out again.

Replaced a water heater because it was 20 years old. Plumber replaced a ruud with a whirlpool 3 years ago. It broke last year, no pilot light and leaking. It worked for 15 month and has broken with the same things, pilot light and leaking. I paid 300 dollars to have the water heater last year installed because whirlpool said its warranty did not cover labor of plumber. So far to trouble shoot the latest water heater it has cost me 3 weeks of hot water, trips to places to find a hot shower. Possible plumbing problems because I have not had hot water going through my water pipes during freezing weather. Financially, besides gas to drive to hot water, it has cost 195.00 to trouble shoot the problem. I would like to be reimbursed without depreciation for my water heater and labor costs that I have incurred do to faulty heaters. So in turn, I can find a reliable water heater to last more than 1 -3 years.

My Whirlpool 40 gallon water heater failed about three years ago due to the thermocouple issue. The class action lawsuit issue. Tonight, I heard water leaking onto the burner of my water heater. It is just barely six years old. I could see water leaking onto the burner through the pilot light port. I was warned by inside Whirlpool people about their water heaters. They are made by a third party. Whirlpool supplier quality assurance is apparently very weak. I'm a quality engineer myself. I'm pretty disgusted with this. Every appliance in my house was "made" by Whirlpool. This may be changing. I support Michigan companies, but Whirlpool might be a bit of a disgrace. I'm about to replace a water heater after six years.

Same as everyone else. Have done the thermo couple, conversion kit and now have a HVAC person in looking at it. This has caused me and my family so much trouble and I cannot understand why there is not some type of legal action going on! I have 6 children and 2 adults in the house and have to keep huge pots of water boiling all of the time so we can take baths. This is ridiculous! Is ConsumerAffairs doing anything to help us out, or are we just wasting our time here?

My father and I own a rental property and as luck would have it, we replaced 8 hot gas water heaters within about a year in 2007. We have since had trouble with all except 1. They all started out the same way with the pilot going out and having to be relit until it will no longer light. I have called the warranty number each time. I have replaced all the parts many times but especially the thermostat gas valve. I have taken back to Lowes 2 of the heaters and made the mistake of getting and exchanging thinking that the defect would be corrected. I regret this as I am having the same problem from a water heater that I replaced on 2/09. I will never buy a Whirlpool again. I have replaced the parts myself, wasting my time. I have had to remove the heaters and return them to the store. Again, my time. The inconvenience to the resident is beyond belief since you never know if you have hot water or not.

I purchased a new Whirlpool water heater from Lowes in January 2008. It's now February 6, 2010 and the pilot lamp will light but will not stay lit. I've read numerous complaints about this product and I am disgusted how Whirlpool expects the customer to troubleshoot the problem themselves. This product should definitely be recalled. We are currently trying to fix the problem by cleaning the vent as this website suggests however we plan to get the free manifold kit also, as we will inevitably need it. Currently, we have no hot water and we've just had the biggest snowstorm of the season in Baltimore, MD.

Like many other people, I have a problem with my Whirlpool 40 gallon gas water heater with the flame lock gas control. My heater is six years old and needed to replace the thermocouple once. The second time, which is two years later, I could not find the part locally for about five to ten workdays away with an online order. That I don't recommend since it is an inherent problem. Thanks to this site. I was able to get a conversion kit from Lowes for free. You must talk to the plumbing manager to get it. It is very helpful. I hope this helps someone so you don't have to go through the same loss of work and money to get this resolved.

I bought the Whirlpool 40 gallon hot water tank from Lowe's (first mistake) in 2005. The pilot light will not stay lit now so we got the replacement thermocouple (free from Lowe's due to the continuing issues with this tank). Still, I have no luck. I'm going to go and buy the gas valve( at our expense as these are not given out freely like the thermocouple) to see if that works. Wish me luck as from the posts I find I am doubting it will. I am really spreading the news about these tanks on Facebook, twitter, friends, anyplace to let folks know that just because it is less expensive, it doesn't mean you should buy it!

I purchased a water heater from Lowe's in Feb 2nd 2004. On Feb 14, 2009, I called your service department and talked to a Debbie, explained my problem with the thermostat on the heater. She sent me a new thermostat. Now it's 2-5-2010, and I'm having the same problem again. I called your service department again, talked to someone, who couldn't speak English. I did understand them to say that the replacement part only has a one year warranty. It has not been a year yet. Please contact me about this problem. Thank you very much.

I returned for a refund. I bought a rheem and there were no problems! It's as quiet as can be. I had to bring that *** back to Lowe's after getting a runaround from the Indian ***.

Purchased 40 gal. Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's June 2008. In October 2008, we began the "replace this, replace that, replace it all" routine that ran into November 2008. Just over a year, now Jan. 2010, again no hot water. Many phone calls to authorized plumber and Whirlpool customer service and more parts are being sent to us. Having to start the "replace this, replace that" all over again. In cumulative days it's weeks without hot water, and lost work. Not to mention the inconvenience, schedules rearranged and meetings not kept through, no fault of our own.

Boy, I wish I had read about these problems with the Whirlpool flame-lock water heaters that are sold by Lowe's. I bought a 9-year unit approximately 3-1/2 years ago. First unit started leaking in two weeks and they replaced it paying both parts and labor. Now the thermocouple has failed. After dealing with the ** in India that I could barely understand, I was sent a replacement burner unit (but without the burner head).

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater from Lowe's in the summer of 2008. As of January 18, 2010 until today, January 26, 2010, I do not have any hot water. My plumber checked it and found that I have a leak in the water heater. The pilot light would not come on. I would like a full refund for the water heater and labor in order to purchase another brand. I have to pay the plumber for inspecting the water heater and for installation for a subsequent water heater. Also, it is a good chance that my water bill will increase due to the leakage. As for the physical damage, I have been without hot water for nine days.

I purchased a Whirlpool water heater in 2003. After a few months, it quit working and the control mechanism was bad. They replaced it but first install was mine. Second remove and re-install was mine. Then the thermal couplings started to fail after 3. At my expense, they replaced the flame, thermal couple, igniter, and pilot lite mechanism (all labor was at my expense again).

We purchased a Whirlpool flame lock gas water heater in 2003 from Lowes. Since that time we installed a thermocouple and then replace the whole water in 2006 and two more thermocouples since that 2006 installation. The thermocouples last about year and half. This product has been built with defective parts. Whirlpool should give everyone their money back and pay to have a new water heater of our choice installed. This has cost me time from work and labor charges for repairs. I will definitely tell everyone not to buy Whirlpool. This is why companies go out of business because they make junk and pass it on to the consumer. I had to take off work and either do the repairs myself or hire a repair technician to do the repairs.

On 4/27/2009, we purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater with the flame lock safety system from Lowe's. For the past two weeks, we have had nothing but problems with this machine. The pilot light would not stay lit for the first 6 days, I had to constantly light it every time I needed to have hot water (it would not re-light after it cuts off). Now, it will not light at all. I know we can get the parts, but I don't want anything else made by Whirlpool. I understand there is a lawsuit about this same machine from 2005. Please add my name if there are any refunds. Thank you.

We purchased a 40 gallon Whirlpool hot water heater about 5 years ago and the pilot light goes out all the time. I will never buy another Whirlpool and will tell everyone I know how frustrating it is. I don't understand how this company can get by with this. Our model# is FG1H4040T3NOV. It will sometimes stay lit for a month and then for days will constantly go out. I hate it and am trying to talk my husband into buying another brand. When we called them, they sent us a plastic piece to wrap around the bottom of the tank. No help. They should be made to replace all these defective tanks.

In 2006, we bought our Whirlpool water heater from Lowes also. After 2 years, the pilot light kept going out. We would re-light it but it would go out after a few days. We had the thermo-couple replaced but still having the same problem. I was very surprised to see so many complaints about this very same thing. I know Whirlpool is aware of this with so many complaints but they just don't care. I will never buy another Whirlpool product and will let Lowes know that they have lost my Whirlpool business.

Whirlpool water heater. I purchased a whirlpool water heater at Lowes. After two years the pilot light goes out. I have had it repaired 3 times with parts that whirlpool sends. Same problem. I had to pay plumber and finally I replaced it with a different water heater. I had to pay plumber and finally I replaced it with a different water heater.

I purchased a Whirlpool Water Heater on March 17th, 2008. My Pilot Light will not stay lit and I have been without hot water for 5 days now. I have repeatedly tried to re-light the pilot light several times and have only been successful about 3 times, however the Flame will only stay on for about 5-10 minutes and then it completely goes out and the pilot light will not re-light.

I replaced my water heater with a Whirlpool water heater and have repeated problems with pilot light going out. I replaced with a new code D upgrade part and same problem again. I contacted Whirlpool again and they want me to replace with a new thermostat, which will cost me $20.00 in shipping in addition to more labor expenses. Whirlpool states this as my only option with them. Whirlpool, on top of this, has representative which are hard to understand. I feel that after all of the complaints on Whirlpool. There should be some type of lawsuit filed to resolve the matter. The other option is for them to pay to have unit replaced by a reputable water heater which functions.

Dealing with Whirlpool representatives is a joke. Again our Gas Company representative said it is a thermocouple problem, and said the pilot will not stay lit. Whirlpool sent Cal Star Plumbing again.

The pilot light would not stay on after I had it for 4 years. They sent a converter kit for a licensed plumber to install and that did not stay on. They then wanted me to wait for another part. Lowe’s had three in stock for replacement and all were dented in the box. We have no hot water for the holidays for 6 days. We have to drive to Lowe's 62 miles one way and wait an hour for a manager to ok an upgrade as the three in stock were dented. I had to get a truck to take the old on to get a replacement.

We purchased a Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's in Murrieta, CA in March 2007. Since then, the upper sensor has gone out 3 times, twice over a long holiday weekend, leaving us without hot water at least 3 days before we received a new part. After speaking with a supervisor, I was told I could only get one sensor at a time, despite my repeated problems with the upper sensor. The last one that was replaced lasted less than 2 months! I will go out of my way to tell others about the inferior products and service I have experienced with Whirlpool. Each time the upper sensor failed, we spend a minimum of 3 days with no hot water in the house. Twice the sensor failed over a holiday weekend, creating extra time before we received a replacement part. Whirlpool is a terrible company with terrible products!

We just bought a brand new Whirlpool water heater and the pilot won't stay lit! It's New Year's eve (Thursday) and they are saying they can send someone out on Monday! Monday? We just bought a brand new water heater. We should not even have a non-working unit, let alone, wait 5 days to get help! Don't buy a Whirlpool water heater and shame on Lowe's for selling them after having read all the horrible customer reviews stating the exact same problem. Both companies should be sued, this is a hazard!

I've been reading that many people have problems with the gas pilot light not staying lit, sometimes even after replacement of the thermocouple burner assembly. I had a similar problem in a 3-year-old heater and took advantage of the available burner assembly recall and replacement part. When the part arrived, I noticed a defect that could have been the cause of my problem. As the old part was removed, it was confirmed that the problem with the old was the same as with the new one. A slight rear-ward finger pressure on the thermocouple tip caused it to slide backward. Since the new unit had more safety features built in, it was used, replacing the old unit after a simple modification.

I have a mobile home. I have had problems with 10/12 units not staying lit. I have 2 more to return to Lowe’s, all under 3 years old. If Lowe’s is going to continue to purchase these, let them deal with Whirlpool. I fell a class action suit should be started, if they are not going to recall these pieces of junk or pay to have them fixed.

I have 2 Whirlpool water heaters I have had to have serviced. The water heater would not stay lit. Someone came out to tell me the part has to be ordered. It will take 5 days for $75.00. I will have to pay another $75.00. When he came back, there was no hot water. All this time, they act like not having hot water is no big deal. It is a major upset. I had to miss my best friend’s funeral. I was so upset plus I had to work. Whirlpool needs to pay for all these water heaters. They are no good. Home Depot needs to really stop selling these.

We bought a 50 gallon water heater from Lowe's in July of 2007. I started having trouble a week ago with it. We replaced the thermocouple, the gas line, cleaned it out and still it won't work. We called the gas company and the first thing they asked was, "is it a Whirlpool?". We got absolutely no help from Lowe's (as is usual with them). I sure wish I had known about it. We even registered the product when we bought it and got no notification that it was recalled. We had two repairmen bills and a bill from the gas company to check the line.

I purchased a Whirlpool gas water heater in August 2009. In December, there's no hot water; the pilot went out. The control box indicated lower sensors. Then Whirlpool sent a new control box. The plumber replaced it. Two days later, the box again reported lower sensors. Whirlpool said to call back in a week and that they will ship parts but cost of labor will be my responsibility.

Water heater purchased on November 2005 had a product recall on gas valve thermocouple due to leakage. I replaced it twice already with the new one set out. The water heater continues to fail at staying lit. The pilot does not stay lit and water heater makes loud noises not of norm. The local gas company did find that the first valve on product was leaking gas. I'm afraid of this product due to the recall that concerns me if the new replacement is of any good. I'm currently serving in the US military and my family resides there without me. I would hate to see or have anything happen to the house, not to mention, I hope that we can have hot water steady. This has been an ongoing problem since purchase.

The thermocouple to my Whirlpool flame lock water heater went out. My water heater was installed on 11-15-2008, so exactly 13 months ago and the thermocouple went out just a couple of days ago. I called the Whirlpool number and was told to do a couple of tests to determine the cause of my problem and after the tests, it was determined that it was my thermocouple.

My Whirlpool hot water tank failed. I replaced the thermocoupler, put the recall kit in twice and tried to contact the store manager at Lowe's for help. He said he can't help and to call Whirlpool. I mentioned I tried and no one will call me back. The store manager at Lowe's said Whirlpool was a terrible company and he would never purchase a Whirlpool product. Finally, my wife contacted whirlpool and ended up speaking to someone in India. Every time that person wasn't helpful, she asked to speak to their supervisor.

I would like to append my report of 11/9/09. I've been in Atlanta this week. I had received a letter from Lowe's telling me to go to the Ft Lauderdale store nearest my residence for assistance. As the faulty water heater was in Atlanta, I have taken that and all the paperwork to the store from which the water heater was purchased. They were very helpful, apologized for Whirlpool's treatment of us and refunded the cost of the water heater in full. The store manager confirmed that apparently no serial number had been affixed to this unit! Lowe's has won my favor. On the other hand, I have never heard back from Whirlpool. The Lowe's manager acknowledged that they were so big that they were hard to work with.

My water heater would not stay lit. I was told it was the control module so they sent me the part and I replaced it. It work for a few weeks and went out again. So I called them the second time and then they said it was the the top thermal wire sensor and this time, that they will not replace the water heater. I talked with Greg, so I replaced it and it failed. It didn't work at all. I called a third time, 12/12/09 2:00PM, and talked with Prince the supervisor. He said that the control module is bad and that they were going to send me the part. If it doesn't work, they would replace the unit. The water heater is just over a year old. This is totally unacceptable for the water heater only being a year old since I purchased it. Every time it goes out, we are out of hot water for a week plus.

Wow! I called customer service today to get them to pay for the $60 gas valve I purchased at Lowe's. They actually gave me the name of A&E Sears Plumbers and an authorization number to have them replace it free of charge. I called A&E Sears and they will be out tomorrow at no cost to me for labor or parts. Whirlpool acknowledges the problem during the time frame and made good. I'm happy and will take the part I bought back to Lowe's. Now, this was good customer service.

So frustrating! I bought a Whirlpool hot water heater for a 2 family rental property (BFG1F5040T3NOV 50 gallon). It has been nothing but problems as it will not stay lit. I called customer service and spoke to someone overseas. They had me jump through a bunch of circles wasting more time and finally told me parts were covered but not labor.

I bought a new gas water heater with a 9 year warranty in late 2007. The hot heater stopped working in less than 12 months. Whirlpool refuses to replace heater or offer refund, but if they do replace it, they will not honor the warranty on the new heater. So that any problems that occur, you are out service or any help and you have to buy another hot water heater.

I purchased a Whirlpool 40 gal electrical water heater on 11/10/2007. It sprang a leak and I replaced it on 10/07/2008. The replacement sprang a leak and I replaced it on 07/07/2009. It sprang a leak and I replaced it on 11/29/2009. I am not very happy with Whirlpool water heaters to say the least. I have had a lot of Whirlpool products over the years and have been very pleased with them but their water heaters are a piece of junk. Having to replace a water heater three times in two years is not good for business.

On February 27th 2009, I purchased a water heater from Lowe’s home improvement center in Midland, Texas. I installed this heater myself, as I am fully qualified, I have previously installed numerous water heaters as I have owned apartments [4], mobile homes [7], 2 homes and have installed [3] for relatives. Prior to this purchase, around 8 years ago, I had installed in this home an almost identical whirlpool water heater which lasted for about 8 years, so I had no qualms about this heater. I should have suspected something was amiss with this heater because along with the warranty and installation instructions there is a photograph grade double sided page which gives explicit instructions FVIR troubleshooting guide. I know I have installed at least 30 water heaters in my life and never before, have there been included such an extensive repair guide with photos to assist home owners, in the event of problems.

I purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater from Lowe's in April 2008 (Model #BFG1H404053NOV). Last Sunday, the pilot light went out. I followed the manual and did some troubleshooting, yet I was unsuccessful in fixing the problem. After playing with the heater all day, I was able keep the pilot light lit! Unfortunately, after heating the tank up, it went out again and I was unable to fix it this time.

I want someone to call me about all the problems I'm having with my Whirlpool hot water tank. This is my second water tank and this one is having the same problems as the first one. I'm having to replace parts on it every 6 to 8 months. I'm not sure why but the gas valve I have replaced about three times; the thermacoupler I have replaced about two times; the ignitor I have replaced two times. How many times do you have to replace something before they will do something about it? I even replaced the recall parts on it.

I bought a Whirlpool hot water heater 2 years ago and it won’t stay lit. I went back to the store and said it had a recall and gave me a fix it kit. More junk. Then the hot water heater after two days of wasting my time still doesn’t work! What a peace of junk. This is my daughter’s home with two small kids and can’t afford to be going out and getting another one. What a piece of junk. After two days of wasting my time and about ten trips to Lowe’s plus calls to India, still nothing! What a joke. And they sell this garbage in the USA! Then, when you try to get the thing replaced they laugh at you for buying it in the first place. Never again will I or any one in my family will buy another Whirlpool!

My water heater would not stay lit. I was told it was the thermocoupler. I called a repairmen to replace said part. He said Whirlpool has a left handed thermocoupler, everyone else has a right handed. I was told to call Lowe's as I could go down and pick up a recall kit. The first Lowe's I called had no clue to what I was talking about. The second Lowe's said call Whirlpool, get the correct number from them, no problem. I called Whirlpool. I was told that Lowe's does not carry this, it would have to be mailed to me. All this has happened during Thanksgiving week. No hot water now for over a week, bathing with a bucket and water boiled on the stove for a family of three is difficult. No hot water for laundry, dish washing, etc. I am now waiting for the part, out $92 bucks for the repairman to tell me he did not have the part. Very, very frustrating. I am waiting to see if my part arrives today. I have a feeling it will not. I was not given any tracking information to track delivery. I will greatly encourage anyone looking to buy a water heater, steer clear of Whirlpool. My heater is only 5 or 6 years old.

I purchased a Whirlpool water heater. I have replaced controls three times and the whole unit once. It’s going bad again. I had to do the job myself each time. Lowe's is continuing to sell this junk unit.

I purchased a 40-gallon Whirlpool water heater. The electronic control board went out after only working for 12 hours. I called Lowe's, and they couldn't help me. I had to call the 800 number from Whirlpool. I called and after getting transferred around, I spoke to someone. They were very nice and didn't hesitate to FedEx another control board. I installed the second control board (it arrived in a box unprotected from static and being tossed around inside the box.), and it was bad as well. This occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday as well.

I purchased two 40-gallon Whirlpool water heaters from Lowe's just over a year ago. One unit's pilot went out. I had to buy a new gas valve ($125.00). I replaced the item myself at no labor cost. I just found this information online. I wish I would have found this site prior to purchase.

I purchased Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's. I had continued problems with pilot light going out. I replaced parts from Whirlpool four times and still having the same problems. Do not buy any Whirlpool water heater ever again from Lowe's. Inconvenience of constantly monitoring pilot light and with times no hot water for the a period of time. Frustrating and angry at both Whirlpool and Lowe's for continuing to sell the product.

Similar to others on this rant. Whirlpool water heater purchased at Lowe’s (why do they still sell these things). Pilot would not stay lit. WH still under warranty. I called the warranty department. I was told to get conversion kit (free) at Lowe’s. Just ask for part A6910810. Personnel at Lowe’s looked at me like I was crazy. I called warranty department again and asked them to ship it - of course, at my expense. If you happen to also arrive at this point, please note - the installation directions are incorrect. When it comes to the pilot tube connection, the directions say to hand tighten the nut and ferrule to the controller. Then, run the pilot tube through "until tube bottoms out then tighten nut with wrench.”

I purchased a Whirlpool hot water heater from Lowe’s last December. I had a lot of trouble with the pilot lite going out. I called Whirlpool and they told me the water heater had a 6-year warranty. The first year was with parts and labor. The next five years was just parts. One of the customer rep said that they were having trouble with that hot water heater, but Whirlpool would make it right.

My whirlpool water heater wouldn't light. I smelled gas and called the gas company. A tech came out, fixed the gas leak and tried to restart the water heater. It wouldn't stay on. He said he thought the thermo couple was bad. I called the toll-free number because Lowe's and no one else had the part to fix it. This was Friday, November 13, 2009. Whirlpool said they would over night the part at no charge except a $20.00 fee for shipping. It was there the next day; a different person said that it was scheduled to ship and be here Monday 11-16-09 and I would not be charged shipping.

I just found out about the class action lawsuit for the Whirlpool hot water heater with the left hand thermocouple and I have had to wait 5 days to get this past repaired. The part came in today and we had to pay an additional $20 to have it rushed from Whirlpool. Whirlpool told the plumber that the part can be purchased at Lowe's, but every Lowe's that the plumber went to said they never have the part and it has been on back order for a while. This is a monopoly and an inconvenience to me who is already recuperating using a wheelchair. Then, I could not even take a hot shower and it cost me $350 for the repairs.

I purchased a water heater from Lowe’s in 2004 and the pilot lights won't stay lit. The conversion kit I need is on back order. What can I do? Its model number is FG1H4040T3NOV.

I bought our Whirlpool Hot Water Heater in 2008. Its pilot light will not stay lit. I replaced the part once, and 6 months later, it went out again. Why is Lowe’s not held responsible for something they knew was a problem and still continue to sell them? They should be forced to replace all of them with one of equal value.

Hot water heater quit working on Sunday morning, November 9, 2009. I tried to relight it between 1:30 AM and 3:30 AM on Monday, November 10, 2009, so my wife could have a hot shower before going to work. I could not get it lit. I called the service number listed on the warranty paper and got someone in India named Ray. Ray told me a new thermocouple would be shipped out and I would receive it on Tuesday. I called again Tuesday afternoon when the part arrived to find it had not shipped. I talked to Ray's supervisor Peter to ensure the part would be sent. He said it would arrive today, Thursday, November 12, 2009. I went to Lowe’s where we bought it to ask for a new replacement. Salesman told us it was a kit and he had them on backorder. Our name was put on the list. Salesman also told us the manufacturer rushed to modify the water heaters because of a government mandate and that caused the product to be defective. The representatives at the Indian call center kept telling me to buy a universal thermocouple and put it in to fix the problems.

My hot water heater, I’ve replaced its gas burner three times the last two years and have done without hot water for days. I will not buy any Whirlpool product again.

Follow-up to 11-10 failure. I received an igniter via UPS and installed it. Support had me reset the thermal switch. Documentation on thermal switch reset is unclear. On 11-7, the support person said the button at the center does not move. Today, the support person said it moves slightly. On the discussion of 11-7 failure, we agreed that the malfunction could be dirt clogging orifice preventing gas flow. The door assembly was removed, burner and orifice cleaned. Door assembly was reinstalled, the pilot and main burner lit. I will monitor it.

I purchased a 50 gallon Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's on 2/18/04. On 4/3/07, I purchased and paid to replace the gas valve. On 4/23/07, I replaced the thermocouple. On 12/24/08, I called the plumber because I couldn't get the water heater to restart. The plumber restarted the water heater. On 11/2/09, I called the plumber again to restart the water heater, but the plumber couldn't get it to stay on. I replaced hot water heater on 11/3/09. I was forced to replace a 5 year old water heater after having already replaced all main parts after only 3 years. Original cost of water heater that required repeated service calls and eventual replacement was $664, including Lowe's installation charge. Thermocouple and installation: $134, gas valve: $134 including installation. I submitted a claim to Whirlpool for reimbursement for cost of recalled thermocouple (case #**) so cost of thermocouple and gas valve already covered.