Electrolux Appliances Bad Experiences

[vacmaster]

Dishwasher- Well first in 2007, we got a Frigidaire/Electrolux professional dishwasher. The racks were shot after 3 years, so those were replaced. Than the Heavy Duty (Ultimate Scrub) cycle button stopped working. Not to mention the door was LOUD. After that, in November(?) 2016, the whole control panel went out. It was replaced with a Kitchenaid KDTE245ESS which is GREAT!

Cooking Appliances- Around 5 years ago, we did a renovation to our house. With that, we got rid of our old Whirlpool range, and we shelled out on TOL Electrolux cooking appliances (a 30" double in wall oven and a higher tier cook top), thinking they would be good quality and that they would last long. Well, within 2 years, the icons and branding wore off of the cook top. Also, one burner only ignites intermittently, usually on Thanksgiving, strangely. Then there was THE BIG ONE. Last night, we discovered and orange sliver of light being emitted from the bottom of the oven. When it was investigated, it was discovered that there was a almost 4 inch crack or split in the oven liner, and you could see the heating element! When I contacted Electrolux, I was told my 5 year old, $3,200 oven was out of warranty (ONLY 1 YEAR!!!). And it only gets worse.. they don't make the part anymore. There are places with it still, but no one will install it even if we get it. So now I am stuck with this piece of junk and customer service that couldn't care less. This is very upsetting.

Tell me if you have had experiences like this. Also what do you think about this? Pictures coming soon.

 

[dysonman1]

While not your exact experience, I bought a Maytag top of the line washing machine, no agitator, glass lid, the works. Cost me $1400. Within one year, the spin bearing went out, it was replaced under warranty but I had to wait almost three weeks for a repair man to come, and of course, he didn't have the part with him. Three more weeks, he came back with the part. (that's six weeks of the Laundromat) One and a half years later, the spin bearing decides to go out again. This time I said screw it. Ran the thing another six months until it wouldn't go no more.

Bought an LG no agitator top loader, $1200 at Lowes), which I wound up getting for free (it's a long and sad story). However, I HATE IT. It has been repaired twice for (you guessed it), the spin bearing.

Again, I'm going to run it until it stops. In six years I will have had two top of the line washers end their lives in my home. Washing for 2 (TWO) people.

The moment it stops, you may be SURE I'm buying a Speed Queen. I should have bought a Speed Queen in the first place.

 

[human]

It's called engineered obsolescence. They actually design this stuff to self-destruct and they keep spare parts to a minimum to force you to replace your expensive appliances every couple of years.

I've got an early 2000s vintage Whirlpool washing machine that was in my house when I bought it three years ago. I had to replace the '70s vintage Kenmore dryer with a basic Roper large capacity dryer that I got from Goodwill for $60. Both machines work great. If the manufacturers are going to churn out disposable crap products, I'll just buy used ones for disposable crap prices.

My other weapon against the manufacturers is a good home warranty. The control board just went out on my 20+ year old stove and since a replacement was no longer available, they had the existing one rebuilt. I was without use of the stove for a week but now the stove is working better than ever for the price of a $100 service call.

 

[fan-of-fans]

My parents bought a Kenmore all-freezer made by Frigidaire/Electrolux in 2012 and it has been very reliable, never a problem. It seems pretty well made.

But in general I would probably go toward Whirlpool if I needed something new.

 

[tolivac]

Human:I shop for appliances at swap shops,too!!Enough of the disposable stuff-and these new machines are being sold as "green" how can it be "green" if the machine has to be replaced every few years-and to top it off-has too much plastic in it-mixed plastics at that--so the machine ends up being mashed into a landfill by a crowfoot landfill compactor dozer.

 

[fan-of-fans]

If I ever get my own place and there's no appliances, I don't think I would buy new. I would find the nicest used ones I could get, even if they're from the 80s or 90s. Everyone says "but what if they tear up" and I think the new ones have just as much chance, probably more of breaking soon as the older ones. The build quality of the new stuff has gotten so bad, just looking at them, you can tell. There are few appliances made in the last 20 years that I would want, especially the last 10.

 

[kenkart]

Hunt around and buy vintage

I wouldn't trade my 58 Kenmore range for ALL the new junk out there!

 

[wyaple]

After 26 Years, I Replaced Our Household Maytags

In the early 90's, I bought a Maytag washer and dryer set. Consumer Reports top rated both for clothes cleaning and reliability. Over those 26 years, I spent about $40 for each item in repairs (I fix all my appliances and even do component level circuit board repair). I wanted to try out the new HE Whirlpools, so I had the old Maytags hauled away.

Just for the 4.8 Cu Ft washing machine, I am saving 2000 gallons of water each month now, which equates to $30 per month! At that rate my $700 washer I bought on sale for $500 will pay for itself in 17 months. Wow, just wow. And the clothes come out plenty clean if not cleaner than the old center agitator Maytag.

Bill

 

[luxkid1980]

Appliances are definitely not made like they used to be. If they were made like used to be, very few would be able to afford it today. Materials are more expensive than they used to be, especially materials like steel.

 

[panasonicvac]

My Grandpa has mostly Frigidaire by Electrolux appliances at his cabin with the exception of the washer, the dryer, and the vacuum. I don't remember the models but they are stainless steel and I would say they are at least 12-15 years old. I thought they were cool looking appliances and I thought they all seem to do a really good job. Recently a few years ago the stove microwave died, the repair guy couldn't fix it so we ended up replacing it with a stainless steel Whirlpool that looked just like the Frigidaire and hasn't has any problems since then. Other than that, all the other appliances are still running good.

My grandparents bought a Frigidaire dryer to replace their Kenmore 90 Series that died a long time ago. I thought it was a good dryer but if I remember correctly, it didn't last very long (Maybe about 5-7 years almost). After that died, it got replaced by a Estate from Whirlpool and hasn't had any problems since then.

 

[real1shep]

I can't speak for Maytag presently, but the with older Maytags, they used to carry parts.....all the way back to the ringer washers. So if you were so inclined, you could fix their older washer/dryers.


 


When I was a young man and moving around a lot, I lived at laundromats...yuck.  However, I noticed that the front loading machines were more gentle on clothes and actually cleaned better overall. I was very excited when Maytag and GE released their consumer front loaders. Shortly thereafter I heard there was 'trouble' with the Maytag unit. So I recorded that in my brain and went forward with a variety of top loaders; Maytag, GE, Kenmore and I don't remember what else. I had an old GE from the 60's that just wouldn't die...loved that one...came with a house I bought in TX. Wound up on my farm down in my shop to clean rags and towels. Up at the house we had a new Maytag set...top loader. I don't mention the dryers because electric 220volt dryers are so close in design that they're similar to repair and get parts for....same things basically wear out in them all.


 


Here, my last used Kemore washer gave up the ghost and I didn't want to replace the transmission (been there, done that). Searching for a used washer/dryer, I found a set for $150. I called and the lady said they were Maytags and the washer was a front loader. Way out in the country on a farm, five boys...although the machines looked new. Excited I took them home.


 


First thing I noticed was that I only had cold water. Second thing I noticed was the spin....sounded like a jet taking off in my basement. Bought a new water gang solenoid for the cold water only issue...$85. Still had cold water. So then I went online and researched my machines. Turns out there was a HUGE class-action  lawsuit against Maytag for these machines. So I'm stuck, but I'm stubborn too. I do some more research. The circuit board at the top regulates the warm/cold/hot water. I send it out for a $39 repair...comes back, water temps are working again. There's a 'wax switch' that controls when the door is locked/unlocked...mine is working but I replace it anyway with a new switch..$15. Now the spin noise and this repair gets hairy. It was a bad seal design that let water into the drum bearings. You could buy a new seal kit, but the bearings only come with a new drum. I get those rusted bad boys outa there and take them down to a bearing shop. Cost about $20 and the whole thing goes back together. That was about thirteen yrs ago....so to me, it was all worth the effort/repair. But to Maytag, the lawsuit nearly toppled their empire. Maytag to this day admits to no wrongdoing with the design of the front loader.


 


But yeah, the horror stories on newer major appliances are legion. My ex bought a Sub Zero fridge for a small fortune. Didn't last more than seven yrs and had a major problem with a compressor. Something no longer made (after just seven yrs??) and she found the part, but an authorized Sub Zero technician wouldn't install it. So she had to hire some scab to put it in and recharge the system. Most washer functions are all computerized now and there's no troubleshooting effort, they just put in new circuit boards for $$$.


 


Since the price of major appliances goes up and longevity goes down....about the only thing we can do is get the best warranty, pray and complain to warn others. 


 


 


Kevin

 

[s2_82]

I really

Can't look at Maytag the same way anymore again..and the way most appliances are made today in general. We bought a matching top load washer/dryer set back in 2005. The washer ended up lasting only 4 years until the transmission gave up.

The cost of a new transmission was something my insurance didn't want to cover, so they ended up replacing the washer with a pretty basic model. It didn't cost me anything, however the Maytag was larger, quieter, and had several more features. The washer they replaced the Maytag with still runs along with the original Maytag dryer which is now 12 years old, which has had nothing but a bearing greased. Very much like Tom said, I will also buy Speed Queen next, which is what I should have done in the first place.

 

[real1shep]

<a name="start_34168.370866"></a>Can't look at Maytag the same way anymore again..and the way most appliances are made today in general. We bought a matching top load washer/dryer set back in 2005. The washer ended up lasting only 4 years until the transmission gave up.

The cost of a new transmission was something my insurance didn't want to cover, so they ended up replacing the washer with a pretty basic model. It didn't cost me anything, however the Maytag was larger, quieter, and had several more features. The washer they replaced the Maytag with still runs along with the original Maytag dryer which is now 12 years old, which has had nothing but a bearing greased. Very much like Tom said, I will also buy Speed Queen next, which is what I should have done in the first place.


 


I can certainly relate to the Maytag experience you had. They used to be built like trucks. That new set we bought on the farm was early 90's and the ex got them in the divorce. She had trouble with the washer, even a flooding thing that cost some real money because it was upstairs in a house. My saga above with the front loading Maytag didn't exactly continue to endear me to the marque.


 


Speed Queens are made in the US and have a five yr warranty.  But they are never near the top in Consumer reports and their front loading washer has a small capacity compared to the 5.2 cu/ft Kenmore/LG. However, if the Kenmore or LG die right after the one yr warranty, you don't have anything there either to brag about.  


 


I guess I'd be inclined to try Speed Queen next but they should be mopping up in CR and they do not yr after yr. We always are made to feel you have to buy 'a set' but as I mentioned above if you have a well working and sorted out dryer, they run nearly forever. I'll probably keep this Maytag dryer and just buy a new front loader of some kind....save some money.


 


Kevin

 

[s2_82]

I agree Kevin, I wouldn't replace a perfectly working dryer just to have a matching set. If it has lasted a good ammount of time for you, chances are it'll keep chugging along. Not much has changed with dryers technology wise anyways.

I've also read not only does Speed Queen have a 5 year warranty, but they also have a 25 year life expectancy which includes the electronic controls (they must use good circuit boards).... They are commercial quality.. all laundromats that I've been to use them on a daily basis.

I wouldn't really listen to every single thing Consumer Reports has to say, but rather use them as a general guide and make your own decision from there. They do test many things, but what they can't tell you is how something will hold up over the long haul.

CR also (it seems to me) likes to review products that are more mainstream than anything else, which is why you probablly don't see too much about Speed Queen. This brand isn't sold in big box stores (not in my area at least) so they definitely aren't as easy to find.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Speed Queen

Especially their front load machines, have had some quality issues. there are several post on the AW side regarding frequent repairs, long wait for parts, and unwillingness to service their machines.

 

[real1shep]

Yes, the Speed Queen front loaders have a higher rate of failure than the Samsungs (which are rated the best in CR)....strange but true (I think they said 13%??). And Speed Queen offers a longer warranty on the electronic display front washers than the plain Jane front washers. I can only think there they are trying to push the electronic display models? 


 


At the Speed Queen site itself, you can punch in how many loads you do a week and if a big family your washer's life made be 20yrs or less. Still better than anything else sold, but the problems with the front washers concern me.


 


The dryer I had before the Maytag I picked up at a thrift store. It had been used daily to dry clothes for the sale racks. I used it forever and did put some money into it to keep it going. Even a pivot kit at the end to stop it from squealing. I was actually quite sad to see it go....can't remember the brand now.


 


Some of the newer dryers inject steam into the clothes if you choose to iron them....I don't know how that's done without some sort of water plumbing coming in. My old Maytag has moisture sensors on one cycle that reduces heat all the way to the end to prevent wrinkles. Mostly, I just use the conventional cycle...the front loader gets so much water out on final spin, that I can dry a load in 30-35 minutes, except towels.


 


Kevin


 


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[kirbysthebest]

Some of the steam dryers have a tank you fill. Others, like the one I have has a hose that runs from a T at the cold water tap to the dryer. Some have a dedicated steam generator, others just have a water mister that sprays into a already warm dryer. De-wrinkles, freshens clothing--yes. Irons--NO.

 

[real1shep]

I guess one guy was using this feature to dampen his clothes so he could iron them. Seems counterproductive if as you say, its purpose is to release wrinkles.


 


How well does yours work on wrinkles?


 


Kevin

 

[kirbysthebest]

Dampening before you iron, it will/does work great. If you expect to remove it from the dryer freshly pressed, you will be disappointed. Items like dress shirts will look wash & wear ready, but never freshly pressed. You are, after all, just tumbling the clothes in the dryer.

Depending on the fabric, it does a great job. I had a suit jacket that had hung in the closet for sometime, and just needed a freshening. I set in on a "Rapid Refresh" and 12 minutes later it was good as new.

My nephew uses the steam function and the dryer rack to freshen his son's fencing gear. The heat and moisture does a good job freshening previously sweaty fencing helmets.