Kenmore 800 series Top Load Washer

First-time models always have parts shortages during the first year. If they never got sold, there would be no way for the manufacturer to reliably predict part needs for the future, nor to determine if a particular issue is so prevalent as to require a redesign or whether it's a user-caused problem.

You can't really go by the number of issues posted online as a way to determine failure rate, because a far higher proportion of people with a problem will post about it than will people without a problem.

Let's take a group of 10,000 people. If an issue occurs 1% of the time, and 75% of the people who have that issue post while only 1% of people who don't have the issue also post, then you'll have 75 complaints and 90 non-complaints. That makes it look like there's almost a 50% failure rate.

The only way to get any accurate read on failure rates is repairs versus sales, and that information isn't usually publicly available.

My Kenmore 800 will not spin after the wash cycle. Is one parts you are talking about?

Did you purchase your washer this year?

dear nicetry,

            Yes the factory does test this out but only after so long might a problem appear. Whirlpool and Maytag both make almost identical models (without the triple action agitator of course) and have not had as many complaints. There will always be a few bad in the bunch. Unfortunately this is how almost everything works when it first comes out. if it has been less than a year since u bought the machine you still have time to purchase a Protection Agreement. I would highly reccomend this because if it fails you will have unlimited repairs or a replacement. This would give you the option to get another machine without the auto loading sensor. This is Mr. Kenmore store 9828.. Hope this helps

I just purchased a set of the 800 series last night for pickup in a week. I did not buy the protection plan. If this sensor goes bad within the first year, what are my options / costs involved?

During the first year, if it's a defect, it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty. The protection agreement offers you 3 or 5 years of coverage against defects, normal wear and tear, power surge damage, 3 years of cosmetic defect coverage, along with annual maintenance checks to find unnoticed problems before they become big problems, rental reimbursement if a repair will take extended time to complete, no-lemon coverage, 24/7 free technical support and appointment scheduling, and many other benefits.

I bought an 800 and it does not pump the water out before starting to spin. Is this normal?

 

Tom

Hi tom318-

Welcome to MySears.  There are lots of members who will be able to help you.  Just a couple of questions-Is it a new washer?  Are your clothes super wet, then, when they come out of the wash?

It is new. Just took delivery on Friday, June 26th. Clothes come out dry. My concern is that the weight of 20 gallons of water plus clothes having to be turned to get the water out will cause the machine to wear out very fast. Had a machine that worked that way in the 50's and went thru a transmission in 2.5 years. Had it replaced and that one lasted about the same amount of time.

Tom

From the sound of it you might want to buy the protection plan or return it and purchase something else.  My little brother and his wife purchased an e-star qualified top load washer from Lowe's and loves it. He did buy the protection plan from them, which he hasn't needed to use yet.  Luckily it only cost him $159 for the pair for protection.

Does not say much for quality when you have to pay another $159 to make sure the machine will run for five years.

I think the American car mfg. tried that. How did that workout for them? People now rush to buy foreign makers cars. The Koreans are now sell washer and dryers in Sears.

 

Tom

Call 800 4 MY HOME (469 4663) and a technician can come out to check it out. If it's something that can be easily adjusted, they can do that. If it's something major that needs repair, you may want to have it replaced.

The protection plan is an option Tom.  Most reasonable people have life insurance, but are not planning on dying within the next five years either.  They just want protection, things happen beyond our control, and some people like a little extra assurance.  Most major retailers offer some form of extra protection on their higher priced items, and surprisingly it works out just fine for them.

what about the 4.0 cf whirlpool top loader. we have had many washers. problems with all front loaders. i need a dependable washer that will fit comorters and such, usually a plain model, but 4.0 not sure is big enought. have had enough trial and error with front load. and the cabro and the other new top loader were trash too. thanks

I heard a rumor, that the new kenmore top loading washers and their matching dryers are going to be made by LG? Please say it is not so.

The 4.0 cu. ft. top loader is the same tub as the 3.5. When it gets Energy Star rated, it's measured by IEC standards, not the conventional standards. As a result, a conventional 3.5 cu. ft. comes out 4.0.

Word is LG will be doing front-load Kenmore, not top-load. LG doesn't do any top-load laundry.

I have been very disappointed w/ this machine and even more dissapointed w/ the service. . . . . .machine is about 8 months old . . . we've never like the auto load sensor feature and now this sensor does not appear to be working (water does not flow into washer).  The service tech. ordered a part and we were told 7-10 days just to get the part. . . once arrived we were told to call and schedule to have a tech. install. . . probably another 3-5 days?  I decided to get the part # and order and install my own. . . which I did NEXT DAY!  This part, however, was for a 2nd rinse switch (not a load sensor). . . what do you know?!!. . . I still have the same problem!

I agree with Tom.  My parents bought there first automatic washer in 1964 (had a ringer for 20 years before that!) and had it for over 20 years!   They never paid for an insurance policy for it.  (My dad would have laughed in your face, had you suggested that to him!)  I think everything built today has a MUCH shorter lifespan that things used to have.  The manufacturers plan it that way so they can get more of our hard-earned money because we have to repair/replace things more often.    

Call me a cynic if you like. I offer as evidence my 2 year old GE Washer that just died.  It was a Consumer reports besy buy ~ mind you!  I did the research.  The error code on the motor indicates that the motor is shot.  Am I wasting money by replacing the motor ($196 + installation), or do I just go buy another machine? 

As you can tell, I'm fairly disgusted with the whole situation.

Consumer Reports is not an infallible source; it's useful, but it also needs to be interpreted. For instance, they've got it in their heads at CR that price is an important factor in performance. It should be a separate criteria for ratings, rather than being factored in with performance. As a result, their ratings often have under-performing products rated higher than higher-performing products because of price. I think the price vs. performance compromise is something the consumer should decide, not the performance rating group.

That said, you're usually better off with Whirlpool's conventional laundry than GE's (Whirlpool laundry is also Kenmore conventional and Maytag conventional). The products are generally better performing, more reliable, and while the price is a little higher, you're getting a better quality machine.

Honestly, you're wasting your money replacing a $200 part on a machine that probably only cost $400-500. I'd recommend putting that $200 into a new washer made by Whirlpool if you want conventional top-load laundry, or into a Kenmore 48102 front-load washer if you're interested in dipping your toes into the high-efficiency waters.