Whirlpool Water Heaters Reviews

Since this is clearly a defective product we are going to have to replace it at our cost. No hot water for showers, dishes, clothes and daily hygiene and hand washing. My wife just came home from the hospital and this is DEFINITELY not healthy for her recuperation.

On Monday I spoke to someone in India after waiting on hold about 1/2 an hour and she overnighted me a Thermostat and gave me an authorization number to have Sears come out and change it. The repairman came out on Tuesday and replaced it, and I got the feeling he changes out at least 1 thermostat a day. (4 days without hot water) By the way, my old hot water heater lasted 23 years without any issues whatsoever. Within a week I noticed a slight smell of gas coming from the red ignitor button and the Off, On, Pilot knob on the new Thermostat! I called Whirlpool again and got another authorization # and had someone come check it out. He did smell it but said the installation was good and the leak from the thermostat was so little he didn't think it would cause any issue. I don't think the thermostat should leak gas at all! I have little kids in the house. I don't want to have to worry about explosions. I believe Whirlpool has a serious thermostat issue!

Lowe's will not take back this piece of crap water heater. They say to call Whirlpool, and Whirlpool keeps wasting my time and mental sanity by sending me the same defective parts. I am frustrated and ready to cut my losses and tear out this water heater and buy a better quality brand. I believed I was buying a quality brand, and I wish I would have researched this site before I bought it. Whirlpool should be embarrassed to have their name on this product and should recall and stop selling these units. This is really going to hurt their brand name.

If there is another Lawsuit and all they will give me is another Whirlpool water heater or more parts I DON'T WANT IT! I WANT MY MONEY BACK FROM WHIRLPOOL OR LOWE'S ON THIS ONE, so that I can go BUY ANOTHER BRAND, and not spend all OF TIME AND ENERGY on this POORLY DESIGNED AND CHEAPLY BUILT PRODUCT. WHIRLPOOL YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! I do want to add that the Sears repair personnel were extremely quick and professional and have done all they can to fix the issue. I have no complaints about them.

I have a small child and I am sick and tired of warming hot water for a lukewarm bath. My husband and I work hard for our money and we want Whirlpool to step up to the plate and rectify this situation. We have been told by the Gas Company and water repairmen that this water heater is a piece of junk. We paid our money for this piece of junk water and we want this situation fixed! We are sick and tired of hearing from customer support that they are aware of the problem but now it's out of their hands! I am willing to sign on the dotted line to add to the pending lawsuit against Whirlpool. I am also contacting the Better Business Bureau, the media, and/or whoever I need to get this problem fixed!

Incident = After 2 days without hot water, I found the Whirlpool hot water heater (support) 800 number. I contacted them, they sent a new thermocouple and manifold door assembly. They made me pay the $18 dollars 2-day to ship the part. So now, by the time I get the part, we will have been without hot water for 6 days AND MY WIFE IS 7 MONTHS PREGNANT! Then I paid $70 to have the part replaced. THE WATER HEATER STILL MALFUNCTIONED AFTER ALL THIS! I contacted whirlpool AGAIN and they told that the orifice nut was not installed. So I called the plumber back.

He came back, replaced the part and the WATER HEATER STILL DID NOT WORK. I contacted whirlpool AGAIN and now they said that the entire gas valve needed replaced. I was to go purchase the valve, WITH MORE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET AND PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION. My pregnant wife and i have been without water for 8 days now. I bought the part for $60 (which it will take 4-6 weeks to be refunded by whirlpool) and paid another $70 for the installation. I am $218 into the water heater and went 10 days without hot water. OUTRAGED! This does not include the cost of time invested and time I needed to take off of work!

The water heater is still acting strange. There is a sizzling drip from the tank whenever the burner is on. At the very least, I expect whirlpool to replace my water heater with the brand of MY CHOOSING! Whirlpool is CHOOSING NOT TO TAKE responsibility for this issue, so now they must be forced to take responsibility for this issue!

Damage Resulting = 10 days without hot water; $218 invested and hot water tank still not working correctly; Time invested in repair; lost time at work; etc.

I do not have that kind of money. I had bought a 12-year model to begin with so that I would not have to deal with this. I called another plumber, finally someone who was helpful. They told me to call Whirlpool and order the parts. I called. A woman from another country answered. Dealing with the frustration of no hot water and someone that was difficult to understand, I ordered the parts. I found it interesting that at the onset of the call the recording begins with "If you have a model number that starts with FG (mine does) go online and order the Flame Lock enhancement kit." I am now waiting for a plumber to arrive and install the parts. Of course I am having to pay the plumber's fees for this defective product. While waiting for the plumber, I have now gone online to read the consumer's reports indicating so many others with the same problems. This brings me no peace of mind or comfort regarding the safety of my family and home. Why is Lowe's still selling a product that is so defective? Why has Whirlpool still been allowed to distribute a product that is defective?

Conclusions:

First: Whirlpool is NOT marketing ANY NEWLY designed tank that fixes ALL these prior problems. They just send out replacement part after part for these newer tanks, in the same method as described before and expect homeowner to deal with the repair/install yourself. This is not acceptable conduct for any reputable US CORP. LEMON LAWS ring a bell?

Second: The major repairs that are occurring in these newer designed tanks are a direct result of THEIR trial and error method (on phone w/ somebody in India) of fixing these OLD problems. Just claiming BFG Models do not have the same problems is NOT TRUE. I have wasted two thermocouplers and countless hours trying to reset their NEW & Improved Thermo reset switch with wires on and off (AT THEIR INSTRUCTION). This can only lead to replacing the thermostat (Gas Valve on the tank itself) or someone having a real bad FIRE. On the UNDERSIDE of the valve it states, "Caution, Equipped with a SINGLE USE gas shut off device. If circuit is open, REPLACE CONTROL. Do not operate with wire connectors removed. Hi-temperature shutoff WILL NOT WORK."

Third: For engineering and Safety reasons alone, these products should be pulled from LOWE'S, and a recall should be MANDATED upon Whirlpool to REPLACE every unit they have marketed before and after the class action suit.

FOURTH: Lowe's has offered some of their customers a replacement unit. Sorry, I do not want their NEWER and NOT-improved PROBLEM again. I want a full refund for this unacceptably engineered and manufactured FIRE HAZARD.

FIFTH: If this product breaks down again, I will require a full refund from LOWE'S, not a replacement Whirlpool model, since LOWE's is knowingly and COMPLICITLY marketing these faulty Whirlpool products.

We spent a few days without hot water, ok we were ok, but to be told that they could not help us without paying for their screw-up, covers shipping my ass. If you had left them left handed thermocouplers in the stores until you could get word out about the dangers and allow people to come to the stores and get the replacements, would have made a lot more sense instead of taking them out and still I have not heard word of a recall. I always thought whirlpool cared more about the People who bought their products then the bottom line. Why don't you put one of these faulty things in your home? I heard that there has already been a tragedy, I sure hope you are stepping up to the plate for them suffering people now. I was not going to buy Electrolux, still won't they put black widow spiders in their boxes and send them to America. I guess if I feel real brave, I can buy a Whirlpool and have an explosion. I just hope you are proud of your product now. Do a recall and don't let this kind of thing happen again.

Got the part on a Thursday and on the next Tuesday, Sears came out and replaced the part and left without checking to see if the part was working. No one would think that a repairman would check to make sure that the ignitor would work by reigniting it however, that night the ignitor went out again. Called Sears the next day and they said that it would not be until Tuesday (10/7/08) before they could be here to fix this part but, they never showed up and now will be here tomorrow to fix this product if it can be fixed. We are now going on 16 days without hot water! Sears is a crock of ** and so is whirlpool. And Lowe's, selling a product knowing that it is defective! I would be ashamed if I owned Lowe's or Sears for that matter.

Although, the water heater is still under warranty, after reading some of the complaints here, I fear that I will have to invest in a new water heater. The water heater was $800 the first time. How am I to afford a new one should it come down to that? The Truth is I can't! I work hard to pay my bills and to buy quality product and this is horrible on part of big business! They will not even own up to the fact that the product is defective! I always thought that Sears was a reputable company but, boy do they have America fooled! I will refrain from buying product from them again. I wish I could say the same for Lowe's however, they are the only home improvement business here!

Whirlpool is so EFFICIENT that they CAN'T even tell you where you can find the parts you need to fix the CRAP that they are producing. I got the SKU number from the CSR, which was INCORRECT, and began to call the Lowe's stores in my area. NONE OF THEM HAVE THE A VERSION which, according to one Lowe's employee, is the version that I need. After calling one store, I was even told that they NEVER received any A version kits anyway.

If there is a recall on an automobile for a defective part, you drive the auto to the nearest dealership and they make the repairs for free. Why aren't other companies like Whirlpool held to the same standards? Why aren't they required by law to notify you and send a repairman with part in hand and make the repair onsite at no charge? They are the ones who produced the bad product. Why should I have to pay for THEIR mistake out of my pocket? When I buy a product, I buy it with the understanding that the product is good for AT LEAST the length of the warranty. To me this is false advertising.

I was told that the water heater had a 5-year warranty and it stopped working in 4 years. With all of the problems they have had with their water heaters, why aren't they required to pull them off the market until the problem is resolved? Why are companies like this allowed to continue to RAPE the American public? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER WHIRLPOOL PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PRODUCT MADE BY WHIRLPOOL FOR OTHER COMPANIES.

What they neglected to tell me was that there are 4 different kits and Lowe's didn't know which one I needed. They gave me the wrong part and I had to go back down to get the correct part. After working on it for 4 more hours Whirlpool tech support told the plumber that the part was defective. He went back to Lowe's to get it replaced. It STILL didn't work! He told me it needed to be replaced.

I spent more than 30 minutes on hold with Whirlpool only to get "Justin" who insisted that despite the fact that the plumber did everything they told him to do the water heater isn't defective the plumber didn't know what he was doing. Then HE HUNG UP ON ME! I called back and got a nice girl... but I now have to buy a new thermostat and send them the bill to get reimbursed. What's my chances of getting reimbursed? I will never buy a Whirlpool product again. Their customer service is absolutely horrible and they do not back their product.

Well, you guessed it, after taking a day off from work and giving me a window of 8am till 5pm in which he would show, he never did. I phoned at 4pm and 4:30 pm and was told, "Oh by the way, he can't make it today and won't be available till the 8th of OCT" which would leave me with about 13 days of NO HOT WATER!!!! Well after the SMOKE from my ears cleared, I called WHIRLPOOL-SEARS-LOWE'S in that order. Whirlpool and Sears were helpless and at least LOWE'S tried to resolve the problem even if it meant sending one of their techs to fix the problem...

Well to cut to the chase, after many days of no hot water and countless hours of phone tag, the Sears guy showed on Thurs. and put in the part... Currently it's still working but I got a long way to even get by the 6-yr warranty period. I wish I found this site before I bought from Whirlpool and will NEVER purchase another product from them. I WILL return to Lowe's because of their concern and compassion during this ordeal.

I am now going to be out another $700 to buy a new water heater when the one I have is still pretty much new. I think there should be a lawsuit filed again and those of us who still have the water heater should be reimburse for having to purchase another heater. I think it is unfair to buy a product that is suppose to be good energy wise but not last. The heater I had before was 15 yrs old and just wore out.. hummmm, 10 yrs longer and never had a problem. I am pretty sure that there should have been checks mailed to anyone who bought the FG series of Water Heaters without doing a damn thing. Thanks.

Economic damage is going to be probably $700.00 going into this heater and I still have a 4 year old heater.....

Out of pocket $300 from last service call and will have to incur another $300 to get this known defect fixed again. This system is so unreliable that I'm worried about what else it may do such as leak through my ceilings or catch fire.

I was also told it would be my responsibility to have someone install the new part. I believe that should be the problems of whirlpool not mine.

Anyways, the thermocouple was to be delivered over night meaning Thursday. DHL couldn't deliver because of any driving directions but they didn't call either so Thursday afternoon I called Whirlpool and then told to call DHL with the directions. They told me I would have it Friday. It is now Sunday I am still without hot water. I now have to still get the part and find a service man.

I have always bought whirlpool (in the past years I have purchased a stove, dishwasher, microwave, couple of refrigerates and a couple of washer and dryers. After talking to a very rude lady in INDIA on Friday Sept 26, 2008, I am very mad at Whirlpool and DHL. After reading several complains about this water heater way is whirlpool still selling it. It would be very nice to have someone in AMERICA call me about this situation.

The manager of Lowe's gave me a discount on the part after a long argument. I will never shop at Lowe's again. Anyway, after the repairman replaced the gas control valve it lit. I called the 877 number on the tank to see if I would be reimbursed for the gas control valve and labor but was on hold for over an hour three different times before giving up. To add insult to injury, a recording kept cutting in while I was on hold letting me know how important my call was to Whirlpool. WOW!

As of now I am out $160.00 for labor and $21.30 for the replacement control valve.

Last week, pilot light needed to be lit everyday (would go out). This week pilot light unable to be lit. Family of 6 unable to take showers, wash clothers, clean dishes with hot temperature.

Cold showers and dirty dishes for 3 days in a family of 6. Lost time to replace part. Water heater went out on Saturday and new part received on Tuesday.

This kind of customer care is totally unacceptable. I had to purchase a new wtaer heater or do without hot water until the replacement part arrived and there was no guaranty that the replacement part was really the problem since no one had looked at the water heater. I am a senior citizen on a fixed budget and having to replace a fairly new water heater is a big burden.

I got through quickly and was treated politely. After some trouble shooting I am being shipped a new gas control valve, thermocouple, and a new thermal switch Overnight at no cost to me. Hopefully when these items arrive tomorrow and are installed this will alleviate the problem. I understand parts sometimes go out and that there are defective items in every inventory no matter how stringent the quality controls. But if the problem persists or repeats itself constantly then it is far more than random.

Hopefully I can update soon with positive news but after the torrent of reviews Ive read about this product I would not hold my breath. I am les than 1-10th into warranty period on this heater and that alone is a bad sign. time without hot water at this point. but the cost can and likely will rise fast

When finally got a PERSON and explainded the problem she wanted person who put the part on to call her from in front of water heater so she could walk them through the tightening of the parts. then her answer was I would just have to hire someone to come and check it and if the replacement part was bad I would have to get another one. I told her at this point I would have more in repair bills than what I paid for the heater and she said unfortunely that is probably true.

If whirlpool new the heater was defective then they should have sent a tech out in the first place to have taken care of the matter. Living on a Social Security check does not give you much money to play games with. I have already paid out $175.00 in repairs now and whenever the repair man can come it will be $49.50 for service call plus what ever it will cost for them to fix the problem.

renters are constantly without hot water. this should not be the case with a 5 mo. old water heater. I will have to replace it with another brand 400.00 plus labor. I strongly suggest that people do not buy whirlpool products.

I am beginning my crusade to get my money back to buy a working water heater. I am taking this matter if it is not resolved to my attorneys and my local news radio paper media outlets and then I am going to whirlpools shareholders and I do have high up connections in major global financial investors. And last but not least I will flood every government agency that has anything to do with governing this industry or the retailer if they do not stand by there product on there shelves.

This GAS WATER HEATER WAS PURCHASED AT A LOWES IN DAYTON,OHIO ON MAY 12 2008 AND IS NOW NONE FUNCTIONAL WITH NO WAY OF FIXING THE PROBLEM AT ALL AS OF SEP. 21 2008 THAT IS BARELY 5 MONTHS OF USE BEFORE FAILURE. PARTS SO FAR THERMOCOUPLER $6.95 AT LOWES

I called the phone number provided on the water heater manual only to talk to a woman in India who states the part could be sent out but we would have to pay the shipping charge of 15.00. After researching all the problems with the Whirlpool Water Heater on the internet I see that there is an ongoing problem with this appliance. I mentioned to the lady in India that there seems to be an ongoing problem and she states that only with the model that begins with FG is there an issue, and the one that was purchased here by the home owner starts with BFG and it is an upgraded model and not the one with the issues.

Apparantly the upgraded model also has issues or we would not be in need of parts for a new upgraded Whirlpool water heater that is only 7 months old. I think this is really poor business for Whirlpool and they should refund the home owner the amount he paid for the water heater and the service call from Roto Rooter.

Before I could ask him why I had paid for an overnight service that didn't happen, he told me I needed to talk to shipping, gave me a confirmation number, told me it would be just ONE MINUTE, and put me back on hold. I held until 7:02 (1 hour) until an automated voice told me that they were closed for the day and that I could leave a message. The same voice paused and then told me that the person whose message box I was waiting for was unavailable and advised me to call back during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Since 9/19 is a Friday, it means waiting until Monday--without hot water--to find out what is going on.

I had to spend $332.00 to have this water herater fixed and it is only 4 years old. My wife and I are on Social security and small pensions we really don't have that kind of money to be spending on something that is supposed to last 8or 9 years.

I went to Lowes picked up a Thermo and installed it, everything fit till I went to connect it to the gas valve. The threads on the old Thermo was left handed the replacement was right handed. The only place I could find parts was at the Gas Company. They said you had to get the whole burner assembly, and Whirlpool would cover it under warranty, if bought from Lowes. (Tells me they know there is a problem.)

After spending half the day hunting a Thermo, and finding out from the gas company about the parts issue. The local gas company gave me a new Rhemm heater. I still had too install. So overall time and trouble and was still out over $100.00, by the time this was fixed. Have always been a fan of Whirlpool, but this changes thing for sure, Stay Away from Whirlpool!!!

come on get these things off the market. we as consumers should be intitled to some reimbursment. we are hard working people we don't have all the time and resorces to keep fixing and replacing. help

hours of repair time, moneys to replace 2x

Replaced the thermolcouple 4x's and then Whirlpool sent me the manifod door kit. I have changed this 3 x's.

This water heater is maybe 3 years old. Each time I replace this we are out of hot water for 2-3 days at a time for a family of 6.

I am home now ,my husband is working and the thing went out and will not relight.The worst part of allthis is ,that my 10 & 14 year old boys came home from football practice hot and swetty and no way to shower. So they go to bed that way and have no way to get clean in the morning to go to school! I am ready to yank that out and replace it, and I can guarantee it will not be with another WHIRLPOOL. Dependability,yea right.You can depend on it to notr work that is for sure. I will pass the word on to anyone I know that Whirlpool brand is not what they should buy. I am so mad right now! And it's all over a stupid water heater that should have been recalled and replaced.

I paid my local Gas company to try and fix it. I'm out $150.00 Whirlpool said they would send FREE Replacement part, just pay for overnight shipping.

Part came in and my family was so happy! Guess what...Still doesn't work. Now they said they will send me New gas Valve....Nope that didn't work. So now I am out $150 for service call. Two items shipped over night $15 x 2 = $30. So after spending $180. They will not reimburse. They tell me to get a a meter tool to make sure the part they sent me is working right. Unreal.

Well Goodbye Whirlpool. Hello Rheem.

Six days no water for a family of five.

I laugh as i read from their care guide.... Your warranty is designed to protect YOU from defects in workmanship and materials during the warranty period. The truly sad part is WHIRLPOOL continues to sell these DEFECTIVE WATER HEATERS !!!

After calling and hunting all over town ...Replacement part was free at LOWES BUT the cost was 100.00 to repair it!

That was less than two months ago. The pilot light has been going out randomly since...and now seems to have gone out for good. I'll be buying a new water heater tonight so as to quit making my plumber rich for no reason. I won't be buying a Whirlpool, and I probably won't be spending my money at LOWE'S!

I've had to pay for parts and a brand new water heater I can rely on.

Here I am four years after installing it, I have gone through 5 control boards, and now I cannot get it working at all. I have spent almost as much on shipping & handling for parts covered by a warranty as I did fo rthe heater! At this point, I am having it replaced with a new water heater by AO Smith. I should have done that to begin with.

Cost: $500.00 for original purtchase & install, $250.00 in replacement parts, lost wages due to time spent fixing it Also, many cold showers. Finally, another $700.00 to install a working AO Smith water heater.

I contacted Lowe's. They are coming to pick up this water heater, bring out a totally different model, will have it installed and make sure it is working. I had also purchased the protection plan when I purchased this water heater. I can promise to never purchase another Whirlpool appliance again. After seeing all the problems consumers are having with Whirlpool, this should be brought to the Attorney General's attention to force Whirlpool to address the scam they are inflicting on the the public.

whirlpool and lowes should be held responsible and should make restitution to the consumers that have been inconveinenced and made to pay additional moneys to repair or replace this garbage. we've had to put out to have these parts installed, then put more money to finally replace this unit plus the cost of installation.

Now, Sep 12, 2008, it has gone out for good. Unable to get it started, we contacted customer service again. My husband had a heck of a time understading the foreign customer service rep., but he emailed instructions on how to bleed the pilot tube. I shudder to think what might have happened had we tried to follow verbal insutructions from someone with such a heavy accent! Bleeding the pilot tube did not fix the problem. All customer service offered was to put another part in the mail.

Sending replacement parts for a clearly defective water heater is NOT ACCEPTABLE! Asking consumers with little or no expertise in working on gas lines to install them is NOT ACCEPTABLE! The only real solution to this problem is for the company to reimburse the consumer for the water heater and all expenses incurred in removing and reinstalling a new one. What will it take for the comanpy to understand what's at stake? An explosion? Death?

Just very inconvienenced the last time I went almost a week without hot water and now it has been 2 days. Do that with 3 girls in the house.

I'm going to cut my losses and buy another brand of water heater - today. But, on my way to purchase another water heater I'm going to stop at Lowes with a copy of complaints from this site and give them some. I expected this heater to last for at least their stinking 6 year warranty period. My heater still looks brand new.

My family and I took some cool showers. I have to take part of my day to get another water heater ($500), have it installed, then dispose of the old Whirlpool.

No damage except loss of revenue, time, and inconvenience, plus cold showers which does make you appreciate hot showers.

This morning, I find that the pilot is out again. The replacement lasted a whole month. Thanks Whirlpool for another cold shower and the ones to come. That was about 3-4 weeks ago.

After doing a little research, I discovered that this is an all to common problem with these particular water heaters and Whirlpool will only send you the parts to fix it the first time. Each time thereafter, you must fix it yourself on your own time and at your own expense. This is unacceptable. It would be bad enough if I lived in the house, but this is a rental property that will now be plagued with water heater problems until I fork out another $700 to buy and install another brand. Given the widespread nature of this problem, I am very surprised that they are still selling these defective units. I will never buy another whirlpool appliance of any type. The only thing that would make this right with me is for them to give me a full refund including installation expense.

As with many households, we have recently experienced a loss of income. Now we have this to deal with too.

We went thru the whole gamet of talking to India or where ever these calls jump to. Could not understand the man. Except that he wanted me the wife to try to relight it. NO, not gonna happen. Certainly going to get instuctions on how to light a water heater from someone I cannot understand. Told him my husband would call back. Well we went one more day without hot water. Husband ran Lowes to get the therma cupler thingy. Oh well, it was threaded the opposite way of course.

So he finally calls back. Gets another person whom cannot speak english to where you can understand it. He hangs up and calls back. Gets an english speaking person. Seems LAST YEAR when this went out before they didnt send us everything they were supposed to send us. So now we are without hot water again. And paying overnite shipping for a product we were supposed to get last year. Wasnt really expecting to have to replace mine since it is still under warrenty. I have had alot of whirpool products over the years and I dont remember any problems. TILL NOW

I will soon have to replace a hot water heater that is still under warrenty. With another brand. Just to be safe in my house and be able to have hot water without checking in the closet to see first.

Why was a defective product installed in my house. I am checking with city hall to see if there is a warrenty and I do not want parts sent to me because I am alone and cannot fix it. Also I do not want to pay any $ to repair it since it is a defective water heater and needs to be replaced.

No damage yet, but I cannot keep going without HOT water whenever it goes off, and the gas man said after the 4th time over that it is the bad water heater that is the problem. I am a 68 year old senior living on a limited income.

We call, a very RUDE person that does not speak english very well, tells me to clean it - we did that when we installed the new part. Was told to call back - we did - had us relight the pilot light - did that, wouldn't stay lit. Was told to call back - did that, and then she asked if a had a multimeter to check the thermocouple with. If I didn't hace one I was going to have to call another serviceman out because Whirlpool doesn't cover service calls, only parts!

I am NOT going to pay for any more service calls on this, when I could have bought a decent water heater to begin with, and not been without hot water all this time. I hope Whirlpool understands all this when they go under, but it is the average worker that will suffer, not the customer service reps, and not the big wigs who decide to screw us.

First of all I paid for the water heater, then I paid for the service tech, and the part, then I paid for shipping and handling, then my husband took a day off work with this.

The next Monday morning, we went to call whirlpool again and they told us that first we needed to replace another part. I took up the issue with the Lowe's manager and he refunded the money saying that his store would be stuck with it. It is almost impossible to deal verbally with the foreign customer service systems that these large companies employ! Now, on August 30, 2008, exatly five months to the day from replacing the last water heater, we cannot keep it lit again! I have heard many horror stories about this same size 40 gallon Flame Lock Safety system.

I do not need this financial headache at this time. No matter what whirlpool does to make it right, there will be costs incurred by me that they will not compensate me for. We use this hot water heater for my business. Without its proper operation, we cannot function.

The water heater is difficult to repair for a trained serviceman..and whirlpoool is sending these new reapir parts out directly to the customer.. Some day someone is going to injure themselves when they attempt to install the parts that Whirlpool sends out dierctly to them to install.. People cannot afford to have the repairs made so they attempt it themselves and it will eventually result in a fire, explosion or fatality.

The repair man did a few test and you got it, the gas valve was bad. He said he would have to order the part. He was going to put the order today for a gas valve and thermal coupler to be safe. He said the order probably wouldn't get put in until Tues. Sept 2nd. So on the 2nd I called Sears to see what was happening, this is the 5th day without water. The lady at Sears told me it was in process. I asked her what that meant, she said once the is processed the part would be shipped to me in 24-48hs, once we received the part to call them and they would send some one out the following day. I was so upset.

So i called the warranty company again and asked if i called someone else and they had the part could i have them install the parts. They said yes but they only pay $85 for labor, i asked if i could get the part and have Sears do it he said to try Lowes because they send them parts, and it would be fine to do it that way. So i called Lowes they said they had some but they were with acustomer and could no go back to see if it was for my make. I don't live that far so i hung up and ran down there. I find a man working in the department and asked for a gas valve, he said they don't stock them. Great! He said he would call out to another Lowe's to see if they did. Well they had 1 left on the shelf. I ran out there and got it, i asked the guy at this Lowes for a thermal coupler also. He said he only carries one type, he was concered because some of the water heater are threaded left and if that was the case the coupler that he had would not work. He also told me that if this was the case that i need to call the warranty company and they would give me an authorization # that i would take to the store and get a kit to fix this for free.

Well I get home with the parts and tell my husband all this. My husband said that our water heater is threaded left according to the Sears repair man. The repair man is coming tommorow 9/3. I have the gas valve and i know that it is correct and the thermal coupler that is wrong. Tommorow will be 6 days without hot water. I wish we would have known about this website.

Paid $66.30 for parts which i was told i would be reimbursed for. Spent hrs calling the warranty company then Sears then Lowes and then Sears. Had to shower at our parents. Boiling water for dishes and baths. My husband is taking the cold showers. Very stressful and upsetting.

your people , do not care about your customers , we pay good money for these products , whirlpool does not mine in the least to take my money , but then when a problem happens, Jack is going to be rude and place you on hold forever , i was on hold , no one ever came back to talk to me ... you people ought to be ashamed of how you treat people .... people cant wait for weeks for you people to send a part to fix a water that can not be fix ... i will never buy any thing from whirlpool again. you know the bad thing is i have been selling appliances for 10 years and i have a choice of whos appliances I sell , I do realize at this time Whirlpool does not care in the least !!!!!!!!!!! BUT I do now have hot water and it is not a whirlpool product ... I want a RA # sent to my email address ... I intend to take this water heater back to where I purchased it....

i have a 6 year warranty on this product also they informed me i could get a upgrade kit and than would have to have it installed myself which could cost another 100.00 i donot think it it should be my responsability to have out of pocket expenses for their faulty product and it was no fault of my own that i was not notifed of a recall and class action suit it is the company responsability to notify the consumers i filled out my regerstration in a timely fasion online , have my reciept of purchase and a invoive from the gas company about the recall i do not have money to pay for repairs

i have not had hot water for 4 days and have 2 2year olds in the house i cannot give them baths or wash the dishes properly i cannot afford to have a plumer to come out and fix this or have to wait 10 days for a kit nor should i have to because it was a faulty product and it is my family who is suffering in the long run

Time gas money and a 45 dollar ferry ticket. PS Sears does not carry them either.

Talked to the repairman today and he said no one has the part at all. In our situation, we are going to have to buy a new water heater because we can't wait any longer due to a house full of company visiting us from out of state. Of course being the Labor Day weekend now it is going to cost us around $800. We have a baby due in two months and having to pay for a brand new water heater when the one we already have didn't look that old (manufacture date says 2004) is crazy.

I looked on line at Lowes and Whirlpool water heaters are supposed to have a 6 year warranty on most of them however, it sounds like it is so much hassel from everyone's complaint that they just want them ripped out and replaced way before that date anyway. I looked at the consumer site and there were so many complaints about the whirlpool water heaters for the same exact problem that I couldn't even read them all. That is ridiculous and a rip off.

We are also in the process of selling our home, so this poses yet other problems because I haven't been able to wash dishes over the past day (with all this company here) which is not good when we are trying to show the house on the weekends. Eight hundred dollars is a lot to spend when you are expecing a baby right around the corner and planning on retiring from the military shortly after that as well AND trying to sell a house in a failing market.

Lowes used to carry the part but after going there last night, they informed me they are not carrying the part anymore. After going on the whirlpool web sight and putting in the part number I've used for the part, it tells me they can't find it.

I will never purchase another whirlpool product again.

Today is the 5th day trying to keep the pilot light lite, so we called our plumber to bring us another brand of heater. Soon as our plumber looked at it he reminded us what he told us on his first service call, Whirlpool water heaters are no good.

We were out many service calls. Whirlpool advised they could not give us a credit on this warranty, they could send the part. I have reviewed the web page at all the customers that bought this model they had the same numerious problems with pilot light not staying lite.

It cost me about 350.00 to try to repair and then replace (because they only cover parts not labor). Lowe's did give me another one after I stayed on their case (however it cost to install plus the first try to fix the old one) but again on 9/22/06 the same problem has arised and now I have the same problem again the plumber said it is the flame lock system.

Frustrated and out money again for repairs or replacment.

we got the part put it on lit the flame, it stayed lit for 4 minutes and went out tried it again did the same thing we called whirlpool back they had us do the same thing again when they were on the phone once it was lit the guy on the other end basically said problem fixed did not even want to hear that we needed to wait 4 min. and it would go out again and when we run the hot water faucet for many minutes that the pilot light would not relight to warm the water that was refilling.

now the kicker is, is that after inspecting the old part it still works fine you get a heck of a shock from the ignitor which whirlpool was saying that it was bad -- how do they know if they dont even send a repairman after reading all the complaints against this model i dont even trust it in my home even though we have 2 years left on the warrenty, it sounds like the problem cannot be fixed nor are they going replace the tank even though it looks like it is their problem

i will never ever by whirlpool products due to the way that they handle their problems when you call in for help if they cannot hire people who speak clear english that you can understand and that will actually listen to the problem that you are having instead of them saying it fix problem. i think not

we have just went out and purchased a brand new ge hotwater tank yes i said GE after going over 2 months without hotwater in the house, going back and forth to the y to take showers, which used alot more gas in our vehicles, and then having to heat hot water on the stove for everything use alot more electric

I Whirlpool is willing to recall these waterheaters and replace them with working models, I'll listen to them. Thier recommendation that I simply swap out the circuit board shows me that they don't care. I'll not buy from them again. There are too many choices out there to pick a company that is not comitted to being the best.

the unfortunate consequence is that I will have to replace this new water heater at a cost of over $800.

However, I was again on the phone to the 800 number on the side of the tank. I was explaining the siutation, and they said they had sent me the wrong one, and that they would ship another one, the right one, and it would arrive in 10 days, unless I wanted to pay for overnight shipping...AGAIN. By the time the conversation was over, I had a pilot light lit and hot water, so when the new kit arrived 10 days later, I hung on to it and thought I would keep it safe near the heater should I have this problem again.

Now, August 2008, I'm again without hot water. The replacement part they sent the second time was for a small thermocouple, which you cannot just buy in a hardware store, and are proprietary to Whirlpool only. So, I go back to Lowe's complaining about what a headache this has been, and they say, If you provide your serial and model number, I'll give you a new kit free...SO...I had to call the house, have one of the UNSHOWERED FOOTBALL PLAYING TEENAGE BOYS retrieve such information so receive this free kit. Now, the kit is installed, thing has been cleaned inside and out and underneath, it has been talked to nicely and NOW, the pilot will light, but as soon as you let go of the button, it's back off again.

At this time, I cannot find anybody that will even come look at it anymore, and I've paid for this that and the other, spent countless amounts of time on the phone, in the stores and on the basement floor trying to get hot water, and cannot. Whirpool and Lowe's seem to care less, so now I have no choice but to visit Sears or another retailer and hire somebody to install ANOTHER new water heater!

I can't even explain the hardship. I am a single mother with 3 children. This is the 3rd time (first time was the old heater going bad) I've been without hot water in 2 years! I cannot afford for this to keep happening, and I cannot afford to keep driving my kids to friend's or relative's each evening and morning for showers. I have a sink full of dishes and cannot do a warm load of laundry.

I've spent more than I have to spend, am in a panic about how to afford a new one, and am scheduled for surgery in 5 days. I've had to miss work and this has caused me physical and emotional grief like I cannot explain. As a single woman, you cannot trust repair people to be fair or honest, or respectful in many cases. I've had to call my doctor for adavan just to try to keep calm as I try to figure out how to proceed.

The inconvenience is not worth it and I am wondering why this was not addressed by the time I purchase this water heater since Whirlpool has been aware of this since 2006. I believe a class action lawsuit should be filed due to whirlpools apparent refusal to address the issue early on and replace the defective part on new water heaters being manufactured after the problem arose. Of course this is not a life threating issue, but why should we stand of inconvenience when a company knows there is a problem and does not correct it?

Stinky or frozen people, plumbers fee for replacing the part.

No Hot water for 3 days -- and after spending $400 dollars 8 months ago -- now I spent over 100 more.

i've had to replace it a couple times until this last time when i could not find one anywhere in town. then i found out there was a big problem with whirlpool water heaters and i have to order an entire conversion kit directly from whirlpool because none of the lowe's where i bought the heater had the kit that i needed.

the worst part is that not only will i be out of hot water for a couple more days but whirlpool actually made me pay shipping for it. i dont think that was at all fair since i bought the aplliance in good faith. the problem is not a maintance issue, it was a design issue which whirlpool should be responsible for. after all the frustration i will never buy another whirlpool product again because they will not stand behind it or provide you with fair support if you have any problems. the people at lowe's weren't much help either by the way.

My water heater was still under warrantee and still i ended up having to pay for shipping cost and a couple hours of work for a repair that should not have been needed, not to mention being without hot water for several days. what does that say about their warrantee if its not going to do any good when you need it.

After several rounds of questions, she informed me that it sounded like the thermocoupler had gone out, and that they would send me a replacement provided that I paid $5 for shipping. The replacement would arrive in 7 to 14 days. This was not exceptable to me. I was offered the option of paying $30 dollars to have it delivered the next day. Still not acceptable, but better than cold water.

In the meantime, one of the plumbers that I had contacted earlier in the day called back. He agreed to look at the unit and see if there was anything he could do. Come to find out the problem was not the thermocoupler, but a leak at the bottom of the tank. He stated that the tank would have to be replaced, and advised calling Whirlpool back. 45 minutes later, I finally got to another rude reprsenative, who, after speaking with the plumber and asking the same questions that I had already answered earlier. He finally decided that since the tank was leaking, he would give us a return number. With this number, we are suppose to be able to take the unit back to Lowe's and get a new one.

At present I am waiting on a plumber to pull the original unit. Whirlpool does not seemed concerned that by the time this is over, I will be out the cost of a plumber to pull the old unit, the cost of a plumber to install the new unit, and my time. It is great that they replaced the unit, but I feel that they should reimburse for at least a portion of the plumbing bill. They do not agree. I only hope that the replacement unit does not have the same problems. I am not a satisfied Whirlpool customer. I can only hope that by this evening I will have hot water again.

I think that Whirlpool needs to realize the bind that they are putting people in. Not everybody knows how to uninstall and re- install their own hot water heater, and no everyone can afford to call a plumber and pay $300 to $400 dollars when their 1 year old hot water heater [gives] out. Not to mention, the property damage that is done by a leaky or malfunctioning heater. Whirlpool needs to rise to the occassion and do more.

I gave the phone to hubby and he mentioned the fact that WE were not plumbers! and that we paid a plumber to install it!she said then pay him to repair it!! now I thought he was gonna blow a couple thermocouples in his head after that! Anyway she told us to pay to have it repaired and send them the receipts and they would reimburse us for the PARTS! We had no choice but to play phone tag with area plumbers because nobody wants to touch a Whirlpool finally we got someone he is here now in the basement with hubby trying to repair the hunk of junk!

While I waited during the 10 day period I was told to wait by A&E/Whirlpool to get the water heater fixed, I paid a plumber $326 to try and fix the thermocouple. He couldn't because he didn't have the right thermocouple (apparently, Whirlpool makes proprietary thermocouples). So I was back to square one: being forced to wait the 10 days. I have no hot water, I'm taking cold showers, etc., and I just threw good money after bad in paying a plumber $326 in an ill-fated attempt to fix Whirlpool's problem.

We are upset with & believe it is unfair of Whirlpool. What can we do against a big company? It's the principle that they do not stand behind their product & we are without hot water until repaired & must bear the cost. This is the last Whirlpool product we will ever buy, but I'm sure that means little to them. Thank you for any assistance or advise you may give us.

Weeks of cold water, repeated installations of new thermocouples, installation costs for an upgrade reset switch, and hundreds of dollars for plumbers are the result. The final solution is to purchase a replacement water heater for about $700.

Me and my wife have had to endure 6 days of cold water. I can't believe how much this is affecting our moods and our comfort. Cold showers leave you only barely clean. I've already spent $15 to overnight a part, $15 on a replacement thermocouple and HOURS in my basement taking apart and putting back together this hunk of metal waste.

I'm an engineer and it took me about 1 1/2 hours to do, but I did take extra time to clean out the combustion chamber. I recommend doing this before putting in the new manifold. Use a small brush and/or a vacuum to clean the Flame-Lock screen and the entire bottom of the combustion chamber. It is also wise to clean the floor underneath the heater which will keep more dust from getting sucked in later. After I had the kit installed, the pilot lit without a problem (the new manifold door has a larger viewport), and the heater fired right up.

we have now had enough water on the floor to ruin the flooring and has leaked out under the door into the area that has hard wood floors.

we have not had enough water on the floor to ruin the flooring and has leaked out under the door into the area that has hard wood floors.

Lowe's told us to contact whirlpool, i did and was told that i have to pay to get my replacement conversion kit. i do not have the funds to do this right now and do not believe THIS IS RIGHT, even if i did have the money to do this. i was told they were sorry that i was out of hot water but this was all they could do! I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS, BUT THE DEADLINE HAS PAST--I NEVER NEW ABOUT THIS.

I AM CARING FOR MY DISABLED HUSBAND (WHO JUST HAD SURGERY) AND A 5 YR GRANDCHILD I CANNOT RUN MY HOUSEHOLD WITHOUT HOT WATER!

My tenants are mentally challenged and subject to siezures when stressed. No hot water is enough to cause this senario leaving me to be the bad guy not being able to accomodate them with a repair since parts aren't availible.

Will have to replace the heater next time it fails to stay lit at a cost of 575 dollars.

What happens to all the other consumers like us who are faced with the situation of broken detective Whirlpool water heaters in the making of breaking down? What recourse will we have, as these units are still defective and units are breaking down daily? Will Whirlpool provide parts for our units? We do not have the funds to buy another water heater and are in a very depressed economy here in Michigan

no shower, dirty dishes, piles of clothes and financial burden

A week later, it goes out again! I called two separate plumbers and neither will touch a Whirlpool because they can't get the parts and because of the class action lawsuit. I have contacted Whirlpool via email and was told that I'd get a response in (3) business days, well almost 2 weeks later...nothing. So, I had to pay $750 to have a new propane hot water heater installed in my home.

I first had to pay $18 to overnight express my replacement unit. A week later it went out again and the same problem reocurred with the inability to keep the pilot lit. I called whirlpool and was on hold forever. I called (2) plumbers and neither will touch a Whirlpool: a) can't get the parts and b) the Class Action lawsuit.

We do not have money to throw away and Whirlpool should be held accountable. I am going to do everything in my power to get my money back. I have had arguments with my husband because he was dragging his feet in helping to resolve this matter; I have had headaches and anxiety attacks that resulted from not being able to take a shower for over a week and having to heat up water to wash up. It has been terrible!

no hot water for three days.went all over town no one had a part and will not get one at all

I'm paying someone to come over to fix this problem repeatedly for something that should last for years.

So, of course, I asked why I would have to pay $30 for a free part and then pay a technician to fix a manufacturer problem. The agent (did not seem to like her job very much) was very forceful in telling me that this is not a manufacturer's product problem but that Whirlpool was simply recommending that I upgrade with the conversion kit and, if the kit does not work, there is a reset button to try; also, she recommended that I clean the trap before installing. I asked if Whirlpool would reimburse me for a technician and she said no.

Incredibly ridiculous experience for any product issue, let alone a 4-year old product. And, the customer service was pitiful. No doubt that this is the last Whirlpool product I purchase, especially after reading on the internet of how many people are having this issue with the same lackluster response from Whirlpool.

$30 shipping costs plus whatever a technician will charge and days of cold showers, no hot water to clean dishes or laundry, plus a waste of my time to deal with this piece of junk and its manufacturer -- I know my time is worth something. . .

I first called the plumber that installed it, and they told me to call Lowe's. I figured it would just be the Thermocouple which was about 6 dollars. I called Lowe's, and they at that point told me about the lawsuit with Whirlpool, and they said to call the Whirlpool Help line. I called, and actually got an American -UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE! I told him I was without hot water, and he wasted no time to say that he would overnight a Gas Control Valve, and it would be there Monday. Well, 2 days without hot water.....NO WAY.

I called Lowes, and the hooked me up. They said they would just send a new one out next day, and take old one. I just had it put in yesterday, and its working so far, and the part came today. I now have a free part, and by the looks of some of these comments, I might need it.

I can not take a warm shower. I have no hot water to run my dishwasher or my washing machine. I am retired and cannot afford another water heater. This one is only a few months old.

You call whirlpool and speak to someone in a big call center who doesn't speak english and doesn't care. This is a load of crap I do not have the money to buy a new hot water tank. Because I purchased my house with the hotwater tank it voided the 6 year warranty even though its only two years old. And because its a manufacures default it voided my appliance warranty with my house.

But how do you get the ice bin out if it's frozen in place, except to use a hair dryer. I'm afraid we'll break something doing this. THE WARRANTY COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY MORE REPAIRS because Whirlpool says we have to clean this. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place. ALSO, sometimes ice falls out of the door chute onto the floor - sometimes up to a half hour after we've used it. I really think this is a lemon! What do you think?

This is a rental unit and four adults and three chldren will be without hot water for at least two days. If the problem is not corrected by replacing the part, the tenants will probably leave. Or I will have to have another water heater installed to replace the Whirlpool. It is unfortunate that I was unaware of the class action suit.

Cost of new tank to in laws. Cost of parts about 50.00 when replacing the tank both times. My patience, and many cold showers, frustration and children with no hot water to bath-- worth about $5,000.00 to me. Arguements with spouse about what to do and what went wrong.

Call Sears - they won't send anybody until Wednesday. Different guy shows up-stays all of 5 minutes. Tells me no parts need to be replaced. Basically he just lit the pilot light and loosened the cover on the front. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? He recorded it as adjusted air intake. Pilot was out 20 MINUTES later but he was nowhere around.

It amazes me that Whirlpool is willing to pair for service calls (we've already had 5 and obviously need at least a 6th) which will end up costing more than just refunding my original purchase price. Lowes was no help so I don't know what to do. Family of 6 and we have no HOT WATER!

Loss of time and money. Loss of hot water use in my home for a week. So far this has happened twice.

No hot water for three days now--refuse to spend hours/days waiting for whirlpool to fix. I am buying a new one from a different manufacturer and returning my to Lowe's.

I check all over Wyoming for a lefthand thermo couple, nobodys ever even heard of one. not happy. call back to whirlpool,speak to someone we can barely understand. Talk to a supervisor we can barely understand. to make a long story short, i think theyre sending us a lefthand thermo couple. I will believe it when it gets here and i see it. Good luck with your Whirlpool. p.s gonna go take a cold shower.

spend seversal hours on phone 3 tripds from roto rooter at $120.00 each and plumber says heaterisd bad, whirlpool keeps wanting to replace samu parts, SEPND 6 months just lighting myself every few days. PAIN never have hotwater when you need it . 07/15/08 unable to light PILOT. wait qa week for GAS CO,MPANY TO REPLACE YEST ANOTHER PART. WORKS FOR 1 WEEK. 07/27/08 broke AGAIN AND i CANNOT light SO no hot water again. wait

mISSED APPT COST 300.00 IN BILLS. mUCH gRIEF INMY HOUSE WHEN THE HOT WATER IS gone. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THIS. i FEEL FORCED TO JUST GO BUY A NEW HOT WATER HEATER EVENT THOUGHT MINE IS UNDER WARRANTY. WHAT A RIP OFF

Days without hot water to shower with, wash dishes with, 6 people in the household, makes mom very unhappy.

Now i find out replacement part are no better. And it takes 3 times with problems to claim. I dont think so. I do not wish to put that much effort in to being let down by a company I thought I could trust.

They sent a replacement part, they won't give my money back,support people very rude.can't understand them on the phone. DON'T BUY WHIRLPOOL---JUNK

No hot water for a family of 7. All boys so not alot of complaints, but the wife is ready to kill everytime this happens

I am now replacing these hot water tanks (the ones that have leaked so far --who knows how many more will start leaking) with hot water tanks purchased and installed by a local plumbing company at $700/each since the ones I had in stock were the defective one and I needed them replaced immediately. I also have had to replace 6 other tanks myself at a price of $299.00 per tank and the cost of our installation time. I want monetary compensation or the replacement of the six tanks (with another brand/model) and the cost of the tanks the plumbing company installed.

Paid $258 to have parts installed, only to learn that an orofice was needed to prevent blowback. Company has been responsive in delivering parts on a timely basis, but I have little faith in a product that has shown to be improperly designed.

You call the store, if you did not purchase a warranty they pass you own to the manufacture and they may or may not speak english or play like they don't know what your are taking about or the hang up on you and it take forever to get someone from Whilpool service dept to talk with you. I guess they hope you go away.

I immediately asked him to connect me with someone within the Whirlpool company in the USA. This gentleman was located in Tennessee and acted as a representative of Whirlpool but was not employed by that company. He in turn was very familiar with what my problem was (once I gave him the beginning serial number of the product) and informed me that the overnight charge would be $15.00 which I needed to supply a credit card if I wanted the part. The representative would not state that there was any recall to the water heater product but was aware of the defected part.

I guess the 12 year warranty which was a reason to purchase this product actually means nothing to the consumer since no notification was sent out and I am now without hot water, paid for the new part to be sent to me and now need to pay someone for the installation. The represenativie when asked to be connected to his supervisor wanted to first know why and since I felt I didn't need to give any further explanation, he then disconnected my call.

I am totally fustrated with this company and will no longer purchase any of their products if this is how they treat their customers. If Whirlpool was concerned about either their products or customers the best service they could have given was to send out the product at no charge.

have one child that is a heart defect catches all types of infections and he has been ill, since I can't sterile unles I get hot watwer I almost scaled him trying to carry hot water from the kitchen to the stove. So, really desparate for this night to be over'

Damage is: 1.we have no hot water( my husband is on this way to town to pick up a new one now) 2. Paul spent hour replacing the faulty part to no avail 3. he called the cust service and they were not very helpful. 4. We are out the money for the faulty hot water heater, plus a day of labor to git it worked on, replaced and installed. this is terrible that a major appliance such as this has such a terrible reputation and faulty.

Shame on Whirlpool for making such a faulty product and shame on LOWES for selling it. I understand there is a lawsuit against whirlpool. They do need to be held accountable. So we want to be part of the lawsuit against them, but the web site I just read said you have to file by June 28, this can't be true as there seems to be lots of victims here.

When I got the parts home the gas control valve was for a left hand thread thermo couple, the original valve was a right hand thread control valve. The parts would not work & they did not have the correct parts at Lowes. I contacted Whirlpool this morning & they promised they will send the new gas control valve & thermocouple next day air so we would have it tomorrow. The rep I spoke with is JACK! I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt at this point, but after reading all of the complaints about this water heater I don't have much confidence.

I called Whirpool customer service and was told they called the number and got through immediately. I hung up and redialed the number. Same busy signal. My 71 year old mother and 16 year old neice have been without hot water for more than a week now. My only recorse is to purchase a new one. It will not be a Whirpool!

Called back to customer service and could not get a RA# to get a refund. To say the least I was getting furious at the lack of concern for their customers. I went and purchased a Richmond gas water heater and installed it today. I then took the water heater back to Lowes and explained to the manager what I had went through. He refunded me the full pruchase price of the water heater. My hope for everyone else getting bent over by Whirlpool is to find a manager like the one I found that is will ing to listen and try and make things right and since he did refund the full purchase price I will continue to shop at Lowes, but not for Whirlpool products.

I called the 800 number, found the website and requested the new part. In my online searching, I came across the consumer affairs web page on this water heater and plan on not spending another dime on it.

Cold showers, unclean dishes, trips to the laundry mat, unprepared for work and interviews due to frustration with dealing with a corporation that is not proactive in dealing with problem (shouldn't a warranty recall include replacing the part before it fails? or at least having the part replaced within 12 hours of failure?).

I have had to shower with cold water for the last month. I have to boil water to wash my dishes and no one will help me.

They came out on 7/7/08 and stated they fixed it. Within an hour of them leaving it was not working again so we called them. They then proceeded to schedule an appt for us. They said it would be TWO weeks. I don't think so. We've already been without a water heater for two weeks. I'm not waiting again. We argued with them and they scheduled the appt for 7/10/08.

Today is 7/10/08 and my husband took the day off from work and waited for them. He called around noon because he had not heard back from them and was told the tech would call back in about 5 to 10 minutes. After about an hour, my husband called back and they said we were their last appt for the day. Around 4 pm we got a phone call stating that we would be charged if he was to come out. I don't think so once again so we called Whirlpool.

They told us to buy the part from Lowe's and they would schedule us again after we bought the part. I don't think so. We asked to speak to a manager and was then told the exact same thing. They haven't even looked at the water heater since it still doesn't work from the last service call and proceed to tell us it the Thermocoupler that's bad. HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THEY WON'T EVEN COME LOOK AT IT?????

We called Lowe's and they don't carry the part. This water heater is just barely a year old and it's a piece of $%#@. We've been told that if anyone repairs this water heater that is not approved by Whirlpool then the 9 year warranty is invalid...

No hot water for two weeks + at this point. We've missed work just to be here for the their tech and now they want us to purchase a part that no one carries. Purchased an additional warranty that we can't even use.

I've read all the complaints here and the Class action on the FG models laughed, went to Sears and bought a Kenmore. I called Whirlpools support and they were all set to send someone out to repair the problem but since the water heater didn't last more than 7 months, I've decided I'm not taking my chances on Whirlpool. If there comes time for a lawsuit on the BFG models, count me in. Meanwhile I'm out a $300 flamelock water heater, and loving my Kenmore PowerMiser 9.

This water heater is only 4 months old and is the second water in less than a year that went bad. The first water heater never was fixed by whirlpool it is sitting in our garage we got tired of the runaround and just went out a bought a new water heater thinking that with a new one we wouldn't have any more problems. So now we have two junk worthless whirlpool waters sitting around!!!

I am paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. My wife works in a very hot factory here in Oklahoma and has to shower every day. We have spent several hundred dollars not only on the water heaters but on parts and labor with both of the water heaters trying to fix the problem.

We explained they we have a less than 1 week old child and it's not acceptable to have cold water. They are saying that our water tank is not defective and will not replace the tank. Sandra from whirlpool laughed and hung up. I called back and their phone lines are now off (Probably after hours).

This company is not done hearing from me.

The repair people could only come out on Tuesdays or Thursday from 8Am to 5 PM so I would have to take off work all day at least 7 times now to have the machine worked on and it is still not fixed so $1000 for the machine and $1400 for missing work - on top of Whirlpool spending thousands of dollars and paying to repair people each time they came out. This machine should have been replaced also from Whirlpool but they were not willing to do that.

I contacted the US Craftmaster water heater company on 6/1/08 regarding this problem and have not received a response. US Craftmaster was listed on the water tank info. I have since emailed whirlpool with my concern also.

Lowes won't refund until we have had THREE tries at repair. Great. Whirlpool customer support is useless. We'll never buy Whirlpool again, and never through Lowes or Home Depot again - too much runaround.

Lost time from work, no hot water for over 1 week, unbelievable aggravation dealing with Whirlpool, Lowes, etc.

Wow, I've been screwed! BYE-BYE whirlpool, you lost me as a customer.

Obviously, this has/is resulting in undue convenience, time, and expense. Whirlpool Execs are lucky they don't have me for a neighbor.

Trouble this time is nobody carries it, not even whirlpool. Even when I call whirlpool from the number on the tank, once you get to talk to someone they are very rude and very hard to understand. Then they claim they don't make this product and that I should just buy a new one so I wont keep having the same problem. I think whirlpool should replace it.

I also never even receieved my thermo couplers from whirpool, as if that would of made a difference. With the cost of the coupler at about 17 dollars at lowes and the cost for me to drive the 35 miles one way to the nearest lowes, I'd say whirlpool owes me about 312 dollars. I believe thats almost the cost I paid for the water heater. And learning more about whirlpool, I doubt I will ever do business with them again.

Have to purchase new water heater, no water for 3 days. Paid for plumber to come out and tell me the news about the part being defective.

I will never buy a whirlpool product again nor will my family which is quite large. I figure in our lifetime this will cost whirlpool some money. I go to lowes and they say here is the replacement parts you need. So i begin to install but it is the wrong replacement parts. Lowes should not be selling this whirlpool equipment, I can go down the block to Home depot if they want!

time and $. no water 3 days thus far, $400 spend on heater and install. next week plumber costs. 2 days in basement fixing product

I have an 8 months heater and the pilot light keeps failing like it won't stay on for even one day. At least they could own up to selling the product with their name on it. I have a second one and on it I recieived a notice from a class action deal but the resolution was totally unsatisfactory so I didn't keeep a record of that.

I called Whirlpool again to let them know what I had found out about the many complaints and told them I didn't want a replacement part that didn't work, and I wanted a return authorization to send it back to Lowes, where I purchased it. Whirlpool was anything but helpful and said they couldn't help me with a refund for the one I just bought, even though it was still under warranty. How can they get away with selling inferior products they know are defective. Even there replacement parts are bad.

I spoke with a local plumber who told me he has replaced 150 gas control units on these so far this year. He said many of these replacement units are bad and won't work either. Even Lowes didn't get any satisfaction when they tried to intervene for me. I also found out Whirlpool was slapped with a class action suit for their faulty heaters.

Unfortunatel, my model supposedly is the replacement for the one they are being taken to court over. However, mine isn't any better than the previous one mentioned in the class action suit. No one from Whirlpool would even give an explanatio as to why they keep these on the market, knowing they are bad.

My family has to go without hot water for a number of days, I lost work time because of it and will have to travel to a relatives house for days just to clean up, do wash, etc.

Yes they did send me a new part them thermocouple but they send me a upgraded verison of my water heater so the parts still didnt work now they are in the process of sending me a updated gas vavle to go along with my updated thercouple which they should have sent from day one. I am a single mother and for the last 2 weeks plus it has been a big pain showering and toting all of our belongings to other places when this issue should been resolved on june 12 when i made my first phone call to them. I have called them numerous of times and still have no HOT WATER.

well gas is not cheap it has cost me alot in gas to travel each day out of my way to shower at other peoples houses. This whole ordeal has taken a huge toll on me i am very annoyed with this whole thing but i have no money to go buy a different brand of a hot water heater at this present time.

I called the help line, told the person what was happening, he said it was the Thermocouple, and it cost me $15.00 to have it shipped, I haven't recieved it yet, will see

Here it is 2 years later and I'm installing the water heaters fourth thermocouple. Unable to reach Whirlpool to even order it. Lowes stop carrying it and all plumbing supliers stopped as of January 1st. after several days of searching found a plumber that bought several before the close out. everyone is left completely high and dry that has purchased this water heater. seriously doubt anything with a whirlpool tag on it will ever enter my house again.

1st time: $10 shipping and week of cold showers 2nd time: $120 and a broke toe 3rd time: $15 and 3days cold shower

One day later, the thing still does not work. Now I am told by somebody in New Delhi that I need an igniter--the piezoelectric switch that sparks the pilot light. Lowe's does not stock this, nor does Home Depot, etc. Okay, I said, I'll try an appliance parts store Monday--but that was before I read this long list of complaints. I've decided that I don't want anymore heartburn, even if the thing does work temporarily. I am shopping Sears or Home Depot for a new hot water heater. This will be no small piece of change. Is there any way I can join the class action suit against Whirlpool? I don't recall receiving any notice of such a suit or invitation to join.

$573.71. Aggravation. Lots of sweat, bruised knuckles, and stonewalling by Lowe's and Whirlpool.

Furthermore, the $15 you may receive in the class action lawsuit does not cover the $18 shipping cost to receive the replacement nor, the labor cost to replace it. I hope others will join me and NEVER purchase a whirlpool, kitchenaid or any other brand name product this disappointing company sells.

One year later, our water heater has gone out again (3rd time) We got the repacement assembly part that was sent to us a few months ago. My husband took the old one out, put the new one in, and the pilot tubing was leaking. It took about 3 tries and 30 minutes before we could adjust it so it wouldn't leak.

He got the the water heater lit. It stayed on for about 5 minutes and shut off. He could not get it lit again. He finally figured out the upgrade they added to the new assembly (the part that's suppose to take care of the problem) isn't working properly. In other words, we're screwed again. Lowe's and Home Depot does not carry the part needed to get it going again!

It's not so much the money that we've put into it. Every year about the same time, this thing is going out. We bought a NEW water heater so we wouldn't have to keep repairing the old one. We thought that would eliminate the problem. This one's worse that the 20 year old one we had!

One year later, our water heater has gone out again (3rd time) We got the repacement assembly part that was sent to us a few months ago. My husband took the old one out, put the new one in, and the pilot tubing was leaking. It took about 3 tries and 30 minutes before we could adjust it so it wouldn't leak. He got the the water heater lit. It stayed on for about 5 minutes and shut off. He could not get it lit again. He finally figured out the upgrade they added to the new assembly (the part that's suppose to take care of the problem) isn't working properly. Lowe's and Home Depot does not carry the part needed to get it going again!

It's not so much the money that we've put into it. Every year about the same time, this thing is going out. We bought a NEW water heater so we wouldn't have to keep repairing the old one. We thought that would eliminate the problem. This one's worse that the 20 year old one we had!

When I contacted Lowes they told me to contact Whirlpool. They said since they didn't install it they weren't responsible for sending anyone to fix it. After several frustrating calls to Lowes I gave up and told the Lowes manager that they either fix it or I'll pay to un-install it and bring it back to get my money back. They said fine. So I did and they gave me a full refund. I bought a Rheem from Home Depot. Don't bother buying a Whirlpool water heater.

No physical damage except a little damage to the basement but we don't have carpet down as of yet....the consequences add up to my husband taking time off from work and gas money to and from Lowes... but its the fact that Whirlpool's name is no longer trusted!

I had a different brand water heater located in the same spot that lasted me about 30 years. I only replaced it because it rusted out and started to leak. I didn't have to perform any special maintenance on it, nor did I have to hire a plumber to come and clean it every year. These Whirlpool water heaters have a design defect and we consumers shouldn't have to replace parts and pay for installation every 3 or 4 months. Whirlpool should reimburse us for any and all costs related to replacing these defective water heaters.

No heat and cost for new one.

On Sunday I called Sears back and they said they would send someone on Monday between 8 and 5. Meanwhile, after reading numerous complaints about this water heater and its thermocouple, my husband purchased and installed a new one. That did not, however, remedy the problem, as the pilot still does not stay lit. So, here it is 2:00 on Monday and I am still waiting for the Sears repairman to come fix this 6 month old heater. This is day 4 with no hot water and by the sound of other complaints, it will probably be one of many.

1) installation cost and pick up 2) removal cost and return unit 3) re-installation cost of new unit 4) my total time 16 hours(est.) 5) 5 miles worth of gas each way to lowe's at 15 miles to the gallon 6) no hot water and a missed day at work

Here it is 6-22-08, 21 days after the return period with Lowes. I am without hot water and it's 10:42pm. I plan to contact Lowes tomorrow and demand a refund in full. Then I plan to buy a completely different brand of water heater. We did buy one of these (small unit though) for our rental property. And so far (knock on wood) it's been running fine for about a year. By the way, the thermocoupler is what was wrong both times. Whirlpool really out to recall these pieces of junk. Here's to hoping I have as much luck with Lowe's tomorrow as I had last time.

No hot water for a total of a week so far -- aggravation for having to install, uninstall, reinistall, and probably uninstall and reinstall again.

My Wife and I are both senior citizens She 69 and Myself 79 living on fixed incomes which makes it difficult to come up with $500. to $600. for a hotwater heater that should last for 10 to 20 years and guarenteed for 12 years and only last 5 and had to be replaced. I believe I take better than average care of our heaters as I flush some water out th bottom about every 6 months to keep there being a build up of sediment, and We also have a water-softner that prevents premature rust build-up. At our ages and with our medical conditions We just simply can't afford to be paying high priced repair persons to keep replacing parts that are defective one after another.

A replacement is obviously the only correction possible. If anyone has any other idea as to how we can get justice for our extremely bad experience and loss of money and time please let me in on it. I really dont see how they can get away with it. If it was thousands of defected Ford trucks, I'll gauruntee you Ford Motor company would be forced to recall and correct the problem.

Countless Cold showers, countless time spent on the phone with techs. My hard earned money wasted on a water heater. I would love to speak to a attorney about this.

now I have to buy a new heater and be out of hot water for days. At this time we cannot afford a new heater that was suppose to last 6 years.

Was connected w/ customer service and was informed they have to ship me a new, redesigned manifold assembly because of defects/problems in the original design. The part would ship for free in 8~10 working days, $18 for Monday (called on a Friday) $34 for next day (Saturday). Opted for the $34 next day - a family of six can't go long w/out hot water. Since I just ordered the part, I'll have to wait and see how it goes.

Loss of hot-water / service of water heater.

No hot water. Lowes says there is a recall on the part but don't have parts in stock and DONT know when they will get more.

I have ordered a new Thermocoupler from Whirlpool so not sure if the problem will be resolved. I am unable to install the part and will have to hire a professional. Plus have had to take tooo many cold showers. I am now having to burn my $4.00 gasoline to go to my family s house to shower...What a pain!!!!!

On 14 June, Saturday, I called the number on the side of the water heater. The automated system mentioned if my water heater model # started with BF to please push 1. The person that answered took my information & also the information of the water heater. He then gave me a referrel number & a 1-800 number for their authorized service dealer...SEARS.

I called and was told someone would be at my house anywhere from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM and I would have to pay for labor. I asked how much that would be & I was told the service member coming to my house would let me know. I was told they charge by the job & not by the hour. Monday comes & around 10:00 AM, so does the service member from SEARS for my water heater. He looks at the water heater, explains they do not have that part in stock & they will special order it & it should be in within 2 days. Oh, by the way, I have to give a $70.00 deposit on the $152.00 over all charge because they charge $70.00 just to come to the house!

The good news is, they won't charge an additional $70.00 to come back to install the part because it's on them that they don't have the part in stock! Lucky me!!

We just bought the house and the warranty is void since we are the 2nd owners. The man who I could barely understand told me to I would need to end up purchasing a new water heater.

After working 3rd shift on Sunday night, I slept on the couch Monday to be available when the service man came. I was looking forward to that hot shower. At 12:30 the service man calls and without ever coming to my house diagnoses that it is a faulty gas valve and he will have to emergency order the part and it will now be Thursday before he can come to install it. This will make it two weeks without hot water.

If they know they are having problems with these valves why don't they arrange for their service men to carry it on their trucks? I don't know if i will still have a whirlpool water heater by Thursday. We may just rip it out and buy a different one in the meantime.

After speaking to the represenative who told me he could have the part there in 5 to 7 days , which was unacceptable to me, I agreed to pay the $18 shipping charge for next day delivery for the part. Thermal coupler I believe it was called. Next day I waited until about 3pm and again called the number listed above. Another representative, said to call back in about 2 hrs. and he would have the tracking # for me. I called back , got the tracking # then I had to call the carrier to find out that the package was undeliverable because there was an incomplete address on it. No street address, although both represenatives repeated my address back to me.

I was told I could pick the package up myself at the DHL warehouse which was quite an inconvenience for me. Got the part, had it installed, and guess what. Part is defective. Pilot will not stay lit.

Called whirlpool this am, to speak to someoneones supervisor, who tried to brush me off, said I will transfer you to to shipping but disconnected me instead. Just what to let you know the water heater is disconnected & I purchased a new one. Different brand of course.I finally have hot water again.

Having trouble finding the crazy left handed part now.

Have been with out hot water now for over 4 months.

I called the number for the warranty and Sears sent someone out. He said he was a technician who could only diagnose the problem and order parts that would take three days. I asked to return the water heater and I would get a new one. He refused saying he had no room in his truck, he wasn't a plumber. I said why couldn't I order the parts or have the parts ordered when I called. He said because the parts were subject to a warranty. He said the parts were not available in Denver. I called Whirlpool and they said the parts were available at Lowes. They also said there was no way I could return the water heater and get a different model.

We went to work and thought we would deal with it when we got home. Did a little searching online to find we are not alone with this problem. Hubby just tried to light it again and got it lit . . . only to have it go out again 20 minutes later.

I attempted to call Whirpools customer service number this morning and was on hold for over 30 minutes, and never got to talk to a person. Funny how it asks if your model number starts with FG to press 1, and then you are in limbo forever! We purchased this water heater in July of 2004 when the one in our new house died. It was from 1984. Guess they just don't make 'em like they used to. W're not even going to bother with the hassel of dealing with Whirlpool to try to get it fixed. Who needs more stress of dealing with a company that doesn't care about their consumers. We're going to bite the bullet and get a new one, and hopefully this one will last!

the damage caused was minimal since I am smart enough to know a bad product when I can research and see the results. I learned that cold showers are only fun at the beach.

I was finally given a Sears telephone number to call which I did. The Sears represenative Jessee was the best rep. I have ever talked to. I had been told by Whirlpool that there was a problem with the part and they it had been changed and would be shipped to me on 06-09-08 (which did happen). The sears represenative told me that it would be 06-13-08 before they could have someone to install the part. I was asked to call back when the route supevisor would be on duty in 45 min. I called and the supervisor and Jessee set my time for 06-10-08. The Sears repair person showed up and worked on the unit for an extended period of time only to tell me that after instaling the new part that there was more problems with the heater. He said he had orderded the parts that he thought was the problem and it would 06-20-08 before they would be available. Bottom line 16 days and no hot water. I don't think so.

I am in a 16 day waiting period for hot water for my family. My wife and I are senior citizens with health problems. Not having hot water for over a half a month and not getting a satisfactory answer from the Sears repair person as to the unit working with more new parts is not customer satisfaction. satisfaction.

Cold showers, faulty equipment and loss of money for parts and money paid for having items shipped.

Fortunately the Lowes on Carson Ave had only one repair kit that had been opened and returned was all they had. Another store on Bellflower Blvd was not helpful at all. After spending two hours I was able to get my heater running, but I hear dripping onto the burner and that is why it may have failed. The recommeded gap between the starter and and pilot was one half inch rather than one eigth inch per the manual! I will never buy another Whirlpool Water heater!

bought a relpacement thermocouple only to find out it needed to have a left hand thread on the coupling. went to lowes only to find they had no replacement. Long distance calls to other lowes stores same result. hours of troubleshooting & labor invested.