KitchenAid Refrigerators Consumer Reviews - Page 2

BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN -- I bought a Kitchenaid side-by-side counter depth refrigerator (made by Whirlpool) in early 2006, having had great experiences with Whirlpool products for many years. I thought that a top-of-the-line Kitchenaid from Whirlpool would be a product with superior quality and reliability. Not so!

In April, 2009, I noticed that the temperature read out for the freezer was going up, though there didn't appear to be any problem with keeping things frozen. The erratic temperature readout continued though the freezer seemed to be freezing very well (ice cream that was hard as a rock, etc.). I had the Whirlpool authorized service company, ASI Appliance in Houston, come out. They couldn't find any reason for the erratic read outs and basically the technician suggested "just live with it, at least it's keeping everything cold," though there was of course a service call charge.

However, the unit continued to get colder I thought and seemed to be running most of the time; I called ASI again in October, after problems developed with vegetables being frozen in the refrigerator crisper, and the temperature readouts continuing to be erratic. They checked everything and still couldn't find anything wrong, though there was another service charge, of course. Finally, a week or so later, I bought a refrigerator thermometer and discovered that the freezer was cooled down to -20 degrees F.; also the ice/water dispenser had by now stopped working (the water line, not surprisingly, was frozen).

ASI came out again, though they sent a different technician. He consulted with Whirlpool technical support who advised that since everything else checked out, I needed to replace the two main circuit boards in the unit, at a cost of almost $600 parts plus $130 labor. After I complained to Whirlpool about all the expense (including replacing the circuit boards, my costs would total over $1000 in service calls, labor and parts over several months), they agreed to sell me the circuit boards at a discount.

Okay, I buy the boards for $300 and pay ASI $130 labor to install them. But it didn't fix the problem! Called ASI to come back. Finally, Whirlpool technical support tells the ASI technician "Oh, with the freezer being so cold, you're probably not getting an accurate reading on the thermistor resistance, so probably it's the thermistor that's bad."

So, in December, 2009, I paid another $60 for two new thermistors and labor to install, and the temperature control problems were immediately fixed. However, I'd spent $450 on new circuit boards that I probably didn't need, not to mention numerous service calls and labor charges, and much time off work to meet the ASI technician. (I'm even leaving out the part where Whirlpool sent a wrong circuit board and had to resend the right one, adding another week to the repair process and another 1/2 day off work.)

Now, five months later, another problem: This time the refrigerator is gaining temperature. Called ASI once more. They found a "loose connection" to the defroster heater, causing the condenser coils to freeze; they fixed it, for another $140 in service call and minimum labor charges.

So now I'm out $850 in repair costs. I just called Whirlpool to request some consideration from them on the expense over that past year, but they refused to reimburse any of it, though they were "sorry" I'd had so many problems with the unit. They offered me a "customer loyalty" discount on a new unit (which they had offered last fall); I declined, since when I discussed that with them last fall, the "discounted price" was about the same as the price from internet sites and discount appliance stores in the area.

So I add my voice to others on the site: Don't purchase Kitchenaid or Whirlpool products based on past experience. Their current products aren't worth the money or up to reliability standards based on my recent experience, and they don't value customer goodwill enough to "make it right" when customers have a terrible experience like this!

We purchased a set of Superba stainless steel appliances as part of a home remodeling project in fall 2002. This was after buying a Superba dishwasher some years earlier with some success. The range has given minor trouble - control failures, most of which seem to result from water vapor getting into the glass touch-screen control panel, a control knob that shorted, and a burned out heating element. However the mother of all problems is the refrigerator, which we bought for its looks - easily the best looking, inside and out, of any major manufacturer.

The refrig. has had problems cooling from the time it was new. Briefly, it cools by admitting cold air from the freezer section through a thermostatically controlled flap in the top rear of the dividing wall between the refrigerator and freezer. THIS EXACT DESIGN IS USED BY WHIRLPOOL, KITCHENAID, MANY KENMORE SIDE-BY-SIDE MODELS, AND SOME LG MODELS. The flap mechanism seems to ice up and stop working. At that point it can't control cooling. In our case, we noticed that milk would go bad.

Several service calls went by, during which we were told there was no problem. Eventually (after warranty expiration) another service call resulted in replacement of a control board (about $300). Only much later did we learn from a service tech that the problem was the temp. control flap "valve".

In 2006, just before its fourth birthday, the plumbing inside the fridge let go, flooding our kitchen and basement ($15,000 in damage, including replacing he kitchen floor). The service tech explained that the plastic tubing that feeds the icemaker and water dispenser had slipped out of a fitting under the unit. He replaced the fitting. I contacted KitchenAid and was told they had never heard of this problem. I kept moving up the KitchenAid organization but got the same answer all the way up the line - the attitude was basically this was not their problem.

A year later (2007), the refrigerator blew the same tubing fitting again, and again flooded the kitchen. This time the insurance company's engineer came in to look at it. He discussed with the service tech that had replaced the fitting the year before, and suggested this was a design or manufacturing defect. I contacted KitchenAid again, and again got the stonewalling from their people. Needless to say, we did not connect the unit up to water again. The ice dispenser does make a convenient ice bucket for the bags of ice we get at the store.

By January 2009, the temperature control was working erratically again, and all the fixes our tech had shown us (let it defrost, warm it up, etc., were not working. Time to bring in the service man again! This time, he said the flap/control mechanism was shot, and we needed to replace it. He stuck a pencil in the flap to keep it open while he ordered the part, so the fridge section could cool down. The part was another $250 (don't remember whether this included installation).

Finally, in June, the unit stopped working completely. Another visit from the service technician confirmed that the compressor had blown. He recommended we junk the fridge and stat. We have contacted KitchenAid again, but have not started to deal with their rigmarole yet. Went shopping for a new refrigerator today, and learned that our unit's design is shared by KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag and some LG models - same parts, same systems, just different doors.

I'm now looking for any brand refrigerator that has nothing to do with KitchenAid/Whirlpool. At the high end, KitchenAid sells in the same price range as "expensive" brands like Electrolux (hopefully they are not Whirlpool too).

The KitchenAid approach to customer service is beyond useless. It seems to be part of their business process to simply deny that any problem with their appliance is their problem. They will bump you around from one person to another, all the way up to the "executive offices" (probably another desk at the call center, since the person I spoke to knew nothing about the products and seemed to be just following the same script as everyone else there.

Whirlpool makes a big song and dance about being an American product (most of their refrigerators, including the KitchenAid, are now assembled in Mexico - I think mine was still made here). They also do a pretty convincing sales job on commitment to quality (did you know their door bins are guaranteed for life??). When it comes to actually standing behind their product, good luck - these people will give you nothing but excuses.

Epilogue: These people actually made a good product and backed it, once. I own a Whirlpool refrigerator that has served us faithfully since 1986 - it's probably seen a repairman twice. They even had a "cool line" back then, staffed by people who could actually tell you how the fridge worked, and even how to fix it. Maybe with the downturn they will finally go bankrupt and sell out to Lucky Gold Star (LG) or some other Asian firm. It can't be worse.

Beautiful refrigerator but extremely noisy. Broke down after 10 years, which I was told is normal life expectancy for appliances these days. I gather from other reviews, that replacement parts aren't available and refurbished ones don't seem reliable.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- Stop cooling after 6 years. We had it repaired and it worked for about 1 week then same problem again.

BENTON, MICHIGAN -- In April, I unfortunately spent $9,000.00 on KitchenAid/ Whirlpool appliances. Since then, I have had problems with the refrigerator. 3 service calls! Now it is Christmas Eve and the refrigerator is not cooling. I am having 22 people to dinner on Christmas. The repair man came and told me that it needs a new compressor. To make matters worse... it needs to be ordered. A 6 month old refrigerator should not need a new compressor! Obviously it is a lemon. Called Customer Service... vice. Apparently KitchenAid has no customer service. I requested a new refrigerator because I do not want to keep fixing a defective product. What happens when the warranty runs out?

Spoke to a CSR and her supervisor. Just kept reciting the script. Under my warranty... the compressor is a replaceable part so I cannot get a new refrigerator. I know that the CEO Jeff ** wouldn't want the repaired defective refrigerator either! So then I asked Kitchen Aid to find a compressor and install it so I can host the XMAS dinner. I was told that is not possible. Best they could do was overnight it and since tomorrow is Christmas the part would not be shipped until Thursday. Kitchen Aid is not only ruining my Christmas dinner. But it sounds like I won't have a working refrigerator for a while. Not even sure if they really are having the part overnighted.

Bottom line... Kitchen Aid does not care about a customer once you buy their products. No effort on their part, no matter what the circumstances! I am up the creek regarding my Christmas Dinner and they don't care. Additionally, Kitchen Aid probably doesn't want to replace the refrigerator because they will get more money for all the parts the defective unit will need in the future. Or maybe I will buy an extended warranty! Do not buy KitchenAid. It is now December 27th and I still do not have a working refrigerator. More importantly, I want a new replacement refrigerator!

We bought a side by side KitchenAid refrigerator in Feb 2008. A month later, every time the motor turned on it would sound as though an airplane were taking off. We called KitchenAid for warranty repair. They sent out a warranty repair company to look at it. They said that it needed a new motor fan. 4 days later, replaced the fan for the motor. They had to order the part. Fast forward to Sept 2013--we lost everything in our freezer & fridge because it was not cooling at all. We call a local appliance repair company, & get a same day appointment! He diagnosed the problem right away--our KitchenAid warranty repair was performed negligently.

Not only did they remove the electronic fan & replace it with an incorrect, generic metal bladed fan (losing all energy efficiency) but the repairman cut the wire harness & used twist-on electric cap connectors to connect it all together. Because the fan was the incorrect fan, the circuit board (main board) has burnt out. We now need a new main board, a new wiring harness, & an electronic fan meant for our fridge. The local repairman stated that we wouldn't be having this issue today if the original warranty repair was done correctly.

Just called KitchenAid & because it's outside of the 12 month warranty they will only sell me an extended warranty protection. Assurant Extended Warranty Company doesn't stand behind their warranties, so why would I want the headache? They have terrible BBB reviews, & everything that is on the internet is a warning to stay away from Assurant! KitchenAid will do nothing outside the 1 year warranty except for sell you Assurant's extended warranty--don't do it! In the meantime, I had to buy another cheaper fridge while waiting on a solution for the KitchenAid. Conclusion: Expensive overrated product, with poor quality.

MAITLAND, MISSOURI -- Our built-in refrigerator began leaking freon. I called a repairman when it would not stay cold and ruined everything in our fridge. After coming twice the repairman said it was leaking in the walls of the fridge and was not repairable. Shortly after that I realized it was still under warranty. Upon calling KitchenAid they consulted with the authorized repairman and agreed that yes this very expensive refrigerator was under warranty but not repairable. Their solution for me was that they would replace it with the only thing comparable to it which was about a $9000 built in.

The catch was that since mine was nearing the end of its warranty. After prorating it I was still going to have to pay $4,400!!! Why should I have to pay for something that is under warranty but they cannot fix? By the way when they figured the prorating it was based on MSRP which nobody in their right mind would pay! I talked to ** in the built in department, and he was rude, could not sufficiently answer my questions and would not even pay for the repairman coming out either and it was under warranty. He would not let me talk to anyone over him and would not take care of the problem which was theirs to take care of.

I have been pleased with K/A in the past and have a kitchen full of their products. But after being treated like this I would not recommend them to anyone. I am not talking about a $500 dollar throw away fridge. It is a $9000 fridge!!! I don't mind an expensive appliance breaking down if the company will stand behind their warranty. But if the warranty means I have to spend $4400 to rectify the problem the warranty is a junk! If you don't have good customer service you got nothing.

HOLMDEL, NEW JERSEY -- My problem with A&E began on Jan. 8, 2008 when I called them to fix my ice maker which was not making any, and the whole system had to be looked at as the temperatures were not distributing evenly. The technician said we needed to add a line heater along with a valve. Waited for parts, he came, changed the parts, less than 1 week later the whole refrigerator just dies. I call them directly set up appointment and was told that the evaporator fan failed, have to order the parts. Waited another 3 days.

Wouldn't logical sense tell you that the part should have been expressed to us? Waited 3 days for the part which arrived on a Friday afternoon. Called them to set up appointment for the same day which was a fantasy on my part. Waited until Monday. Different repair man shows up, opens box only to find out 10 minutes later that it's the wrong part. He said he'd order the part, and for me to set up an appointment for them to come back and install it. Here it is Feb. 2nd. And still no part. We called them yesterday to find out what's going on and were told the repairman never ordered the part. Mind you, I called them this past Monday and was told it was ordered.

My husband and myself are so disgusted with A&E also with KitchenAid who sent A&E to us in the first place. We have an extended warranty and I guess A&E feels it can do whatever they want with our warranty. It is just blatant disregard for the service they should be providing.

We also have a KitchenAid double wall oven which constantly has to be worked on, along with the refrigerator. I have a BOSCH dishwasher 13 years now that has never had to be repaired. I have a Hotpoint, 20 year old refrigerator (thank God)! That has never had to be repaired either. Never again will we purchase a KitchenAid product.

As a consumer from your state, I felt it was my responsibility to bring to your attention the following incident. I purchased a brand new stainless steel KitchenAid side by side refrigerator freezer back in 1999. Since that time, we have had to have approx. 7-8 service calls on it for the same problem, ice forming on the bottom inside of the freezer. Today the ice had caused the freezer door to open slightly.

With each service call, we have talked to customer service reps. Who each time tell us different stories such as they don't have all of our information about each call on their computers and some say they do, not sure whom to believe. We have been put on hold several times within one phone conversation and sometimes for over an hour each time. Sometimes when repair people come out they have to order parts and then that requires a second visit, we have had to throw out 1000's of dollars of food because of this problem.

On 2 occasions, we have even had a bad taste from the ice machine because of something occurring. I am at wits end about this problem and a supervisor today said they do not replace refrigerators because this is 5 years old. This has been a continuing problem from almost right after we bought it, doesn't this make it a lemon. I am very frustrated with KitchenAid customer service and their product quality.

We had a similar problem with our double oven that we purchased at the same time when we bought our new house. It took numerous visits and numerous hours on the phone before they decided to replace our oven. Since that was replaced, we haven't had any more problems with it. Can you help me with this problem? They are sending another repair person out tomorrow 2/17/05. They say since different repair companies come out which they authorize, they don't keep records of the problems.

My email address is ** and my phone number is **. Thanks again for your help in advance. I'm not sure where else to go with this problem. As a resolution, I would like the following: 1) I want a new refrigerator and a new contract. 2) Please contact me if you need more details regarding this incident.

701 MAIN ST, ST JOSEPH,, MICHIGAN -- We have had nothing but ongoing problems with our Side By Side Built in Refrigerator Model KSSO48FMS. Because we have had so many problems with the refrigerator shutting down and automatically turning on defrost mode and ruining everything in our refrigerator 7 times at least, we chose to continue our extended warranty program. Because the icemaker made such a mess every time, we chose to turn it off, so it's rarely been used. Every time we would call for service, a different part would be replaced, never solving the problem.

Of major items, two different types of fans have been replaced, the control board, as of now, we have been without a refrigerator for 2 months. Our last horror with this refrigerator was when it defrosted this time we were out of town and the defrost mode set to 70 degrees automatically, (again) but became much hotter.

It melted, buckled the freezer door, and melted the back of the freezer and everything shifted down, so when the unit was turned back on after replacing the control board, it never started cooling because the fan burnt out again, because the casing unit melted down on it, took 1 week for them to come back out again and decide they could replace everything in the back of the freezer, plus, the freezer door and it would work just fine. REALLY? We were told there will be 7 boxes coming to our house, until they all come in, we won't be back. It's been 2 months now; we're still waiting on 3 more boxes.

Honestly, when is enough, enough! I am just simply spent, and in dire need of a refrigerator that works. I understand that I am fully out of my warranty with KitchenAid, but we purchased the extended service policy that was recommended by KitchenAid, because of the ongoing problems I've had since I purchased this product, I hold the manufacturer KitchenAid Responsible. Does my house have to burn down for this matter to be rectified?