Kenmore High-Efficiency 2.7 cu. ft. Front-Load Washing Machine (4041) Reviews


www.sears.com


2.22 of 5
(by 136 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 25% of reviewers recommend (34 out of 136)

Reliability is very important when it comes to appliances. The Kenmore High-Efficiency Front-Load Washing Machine seems to fall short in this department, although the product’s initial functionality is good.

This front-loading washing machine is a medium sized unit and features a quiet spin cycle. Despite these features, many reviewers complain of electrical problems with the washer and poor product life-span. “We bought this machine 6 years ago. Performance has steadily declined over the years,” says one reviewer. If you are looking to purchase this particular washing machine keep in mind that it will likely function well at the start but may need to be replaced after a few years.
Pros
  • easy to use (32)
  • efficient (27)
  • works great when new (19)
  • gentle (15)
  • value for money (11)
  • very easy to use (11)
Cons
  • not long lasting (26)
  • expensive to repair (15)
  • does not last long (13)
  • lasts 5 years (11)
  • part defect (9)
  • small capacity (6)
  • only last 4 yrs (5)
  • have to rewash too often (5)
  • cheap (4)
  • piece of junk (2)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

Love it since 2002!

I've had this washer (specifically model 417.42042100) since July of 2002 & I've almost always left the door open after each load to let the washer dry out. I've never had any problems & it's never needed any repairs. I periodically check to make sure nothing is trapped in the rubber gasket that seals... read full review »
Posted on Jan 01, 2011
Most Helpful Critical Review

Purchased this Kenmore Washer in December of 2005, and had to have it replaced in June of 2009 due to the 'bearing' wearing out. It was less expensive to buy a new washer with warranty that to have the old washer fixed.

We have 2 adults, and do about 3-4 loads of laundry a week - 1 load of towels, 1...

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Posted on Mar 13, 2011

Kenmore High-Efficiency 2.7 cu. ft. Front-Load... Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 136 in total

Machine from hell!!

We have had this washer for about 5 years. Every time we use it, we have to get ready for the extremely loud noise it makes. We had a representative try to fix it, but she wasn't able to find the problem and had it replaced. The replacement washer is just as loud. I will never buy another Kenmore again!!
Posted on Feb 21, 2011

NO GOOD

A Piece of junk !! I had the same problem with the bearings and the drum. I was told buy Sears technician I need to use a detergent with HE. Are you kidding me? What happen to washing machine that lasted over twenty years? I can't believe that my detergent could cause my machine to cease. DO NOT recommended.
Posted on Jan 25, 2011
I have had the same problems as everyone else. Bearings and support system shot after 3 years being used no more than twice a week. Noisy, heavy vibrations with spin cycle. Bad smell. Sears charged me $129.00 for a service call that took all of 5 min. They knew the model in advance and probably could have told me I would just need a new machine. This is the second time I have purchased a Kenmore washer and the second time I have been extremely disappointed. The service man gave me a coupon for $100 off my next sears washer (as long as it costs $800); fortunately it is good for any brand.
Posted on Jan 10, 2011

When we needed to replace our old washig machine, we decided to go with the energy efficient front loading model. It has been a few years now and we give it mixed reviews.

We switched to the energy efficient detergent: it's more expensive, but you use less of it per load. We ended up giving away all the huge containers of detergent from our old machine so as not to take a chance on ruining this one.

As for the performance, that's where it is mixed. It seems to clean well, but this washer is too small for our needs. We are really sorry that we didn't purchase a larger machine. After a load is taken...

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Posted on Apr 11, 2011

Mold grows very quickly, making your clothes and house smell of mold. The water must not drain properly from the drum. We have tried everything to get rid of the mold, leave the door open, afresh tablets, bleach loads, and vinegar and baking soda. We bought the three year protection plan, but mold is not covered by the plan. We have had the sears repair man out four times, and every time he tells us that the drum is moldy and to try the above strategies. He says their is nothing he can do but suggest the strategies, because the plan does not cover mold. None of them have worked! We are disappointed...

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Posted on Oct 10, 2010
Had this pair stacked since 10/2001, with only minor repairs done through my gas company appliance repair program. Then in November 2010 the bearing and support arm broke. The gas company repairman told me it would be very expensive to repair as you have to buy the whole drum assembly and not just the broken pieces. I talked with Sears Service Department, then checked the warranty section of the website. My book says the drum has a lifetime warranty. I didn't think Sears could warranty one part and not another if they are attached and not available separately. So I scheduled a Sears technician... read full review »
Posted on Dec 29, 2010
This washer is great! It gets the job done without all the additional settings. I can get noisy during wash and wobbly when the clothes are off balance during the spin cycle. Other than that, you need to leave the detergent drawer open to avoid mold build up and the front door open to prevent any odor build up. Awesome washer!
Posted on Feb 07, 2011

My kenmore front loader was good for a couple years.  From the start, with the hard water in my house i had smelly clothes. I tried to clean the machine with detergent, vinegar, but to no avail. I had to make sure when the load was done to switch it over, that being said i got used to that routine and now after around seven years the bearing on the inside of the two tubs has gone, I had a local service guy tell me to run it till it dies cause a new tub would be around $350- 400 plus labor to have him install the new one.

I'm in the process of replacing all of my appliances in the house after about...

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Posted on Sep 28, 2010
Then lately the spin cycle is so noisy we must close the laundry room door. But for seven years it had not one problem! I will not repair but replace because the part cost $335 plus labor. and Sears Surplus has reconditioned ones for $479 plus tax.
Posted on Jan 06, 2011

I can't complain on how well it did the washing, it did the job better than the one it replaced with less water and less wear on clothes. I can complain on the rubber sleeve gooping up and smelling badly after a short time. I had to constantly clean it and leave the door open to avoid odor. I have had mine for 6 years when the ball bearings went. Unfortunately, the whole tub has to be replaced to fix and the cost of parts/repair is absolutely ridiculous. It cost as much as a whole new machine! Why can't appliances last like they used to? My previous W/D lasted 12 years and was still going when...

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Posted on Nov 13, 2010

I don't understand all the other negative reviews for this machine - I've had mine for a dozen years and it's still going strong! I love it! The front loading "tumble action" really does clean clothes gently and yet more thoroughly than any top loader I've ever used. It rinses better, too. So much so that the salesman encouraged me to wash my clothes without ANY soap the first few times I used it. I was skeptical, but when I tried it, I couldn't believe how much dried soap came out of the clothes that my previous washer hadn't rinsed out! You really only need a little bit of laundry detergent (maybe...

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Posted on Aug 12, 2010

The machine worked fine at first... then, things started to happen.

After a year it got very loud... sounded like an airplane taking off.

Then the disgusting smell... musty odor, even when I left the door open when not in use.

Next the machine started to jump and vibrate during the spin cycle.

Finally, what sounded like gun fire coming from the laundry room.

Sears charged me $120 to send a man out. The repair man told me it would be cheaper to buy a new one than fix this one. Call me crazy, but I think a major appliance should last longer than 6 years.

 

Posted on Apr 23, 2010

I love this washer it works great. I am so glad I invested in it. I have 6 kids and have no time to do laundry all the time. Thia will save time and money.

Posted on Oct 12, 2010

Reviews of Kenmore High-Efficiency 2.7 cu. ft. Front-Load Washing Machine (4041)