Defective Ice Molds

ComplaintsAppliancesWhirlpool Ice Makers

Complaint

+1
D Smith
Country: United States
I have now replaced my Whirlpool Ice Maker for the fourth time in 18 years and only 3 years and 8 months since the third replacement.  The problem is awways not mechanical, but the teflon coating comes off the ice mold and then water leaks into the ice storage bin.  This is probably a manufacture design by Whirlpool to sell expensive replacement ice makers, since they do not provide just the ice mold, but rather the entire ice maker.  Where is all of the Teflon that is now missing going--into the ice and ingested by the consumers.  What can't Whirlpool make an ice maker ice mold that last with some other coating like the new ceramic coating that "Green Pans" are using.  Probably not only a health issue but a corporate ploy to sell more products.

Comments

  • +1
    D Bohne
    Ditto: I've gone through 3 ice maker molds in 5 years for the same reason. The molds are cast from a poor quality base metal (pot metal) and then covered in a papery looking coating that starts to peal off in less than a year or so. WTF? The commercial ice maker people must know of a better way to make these things last, but cheap-[***] companies like Whirlpool not only want to make their refrigerators cheaper overall (the newer ones only last half as long as the ones they used to make) but then they want you to pay the equivalent of user fees by having to regularly replace shoddy parts like the ice makers.

    Not only did the whole appliance industry send countless American jobs south of the boarder, but they send us back high priced crap that doesn't work worth a [***]. Get a clue America, most of these "Global" corporations hate us, and they keep lowering the bar on what they think we'll accept because they know we've got nowhere else to go to buy their crap. So I ask you, who are the real traitors in this country?
  • 0
    WP2008
    | 3 replies
    Hello D.  My name is Melanie and I am a representative of Whirlpool. We apologize about the frustration you have experienced with the ice maker in your refrigerator.  If you would like us to look into this further, please provide your name, the name of the site you were contacted on (Complaintwire), your user ID name (D Bohne), your phone number, your address, the full model and serial number, and email the requested information to Whirlpool.Digital@whirlpool.com.  We would be happy to review your concerns further. Sincerely, Melanie.
    • 0
      JIM SILL replies to WP2008
      MY REFRIGIDAIR HAS A DEFECTIVE ICE CATCH THAT CAN'T BE REMOVED.  WHEN I REMOVE IT I HAVE TO USE A HAIR DRYER FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO GET IT OFF.  MY LAST REFRIGERATOR WAS A WHIRLPOOL AND WORKED WELL BUT WAS DESTROYED DURING A TORNADO.  THIS ONE I REPLACED IT WITH HAS A DIFFERENT CATCH FROM MY OLD ONE AND IS A PIECE OF CRAP.  WHY IS WHIRLPOOL CHANGING THINGS THAT WORKS ALREADY?  NOW, ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT WITHOUT TRYING TO CHARGE ME SOME OFF THE WALL FEE?
    • 0
      r gordon replies to WP2008
      i have same problem  going on 3rd ice maker. not fair and expensive.
    • 0
      Rebecca Luna replies to WP2008
      I am having the same problem with the coating on the ice tray.  I had extended warranty but has now run out.  Is the peeling Teflon dangerous.  Do I have any recourse for getting it replaced??  I have had it 5 years.  You can contact me at luna0755@gmail.com.  Thank you for you help!
  • 0
    Phaz
    We have a kitchen-aid (whirlpool again) and noticed the flakes before a year old. The fridge isn't even 4 years old and after the control board went out the ice maker went out. Reminds me of a Ford or Chevy they make parts not products. I guess the maker went out due to it leaking. I took it out and OMG is was disgusting. They must do testing like Bayer does for it's pesticides. As little as possible. That's why we shouldn't regulate companies and let them police themselves. Who cares what flake is in the ice or what killed the bees. FDA is also useless in these matter because laws passed so companies can keep increasing the bottom line for stockholders. Who cares about the public or the earth. Bottom line is much more important and obviously they don't need to hire more cause they haven't sense the Oct 08 the sky is falling speech.

    Don't buy whirlpool as I won't. I never had so many problems with a more expensive fridge. I now miss having to pick up ice, sense it broke and I won't fix it, that couldn't fall into the bin bouncing all the way to the bottom or in something and laugh that the CEO said sell it, they won't care, it still makes ice. A big company doesn't care about a few customers they lost. As long as they have congress passing their laws, what do they care as long as we don't complain like this. Really how many people will read this? We did a lot of research before we bought the kitchen aid and obviously not enough complain about bad products.
  • 0
    WRT Service Co.
    I just ordered a new Whirlpool ice maker for one of my customers.  Water was leaking from the front of mold (door side) and causing ice cycles and an chunk to form in the tray.  It appeared to me that there was a small hole through the Teflon coating, which seems to be a regular problem.  I previously had to replace the ice maker's control module a year or so ago. I found a new replacement Whirlpool ice maker (minus the water valve and ice bin) on eBay for around $52 with free shipping and no sales tax.
  • 0
    S.Stone
    | 1 reply
    I also have a Whirlpool refrigerator. I replaced the icemaker about 18 months ago with a genuine whirlpool icemaker because the original one I had for about 14 years started to leak into the bin. I noticed two months ago that the new icemaker teflon coating is coming off into the ice.  Not sure how much teflon me and my family have ingested. We are very careful now and check each ice cube we use. I finally found the receipt and I called Whirlpool Safety division. They tell me they would NOT replace their defective part. They are sending a repair company to come inspect the part on Friday and we will go from there. I told the gentleman that I will NOT be spending  $120.00 every 18 months to buy a new icemaker. We have ALL Whirlpool brand appliances. Refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer. We need to replace a built in microwave that came with our house and depending on what happens will help me decide whether I will continue my brand loyalty ..... or NOT.  Will let you know how it plays out.
    • 0
      S.Stone replies to S.Stone
      Correction to my post above. It was not replaced 18 months ago it was 2.5 yrs ago. A bit longer, but still not acceptable.  Whirlpool sent out Via Repair to look at the icemake. The repairman was very professional and agreed that the nonstick coating was coming off the ice molds. I will contact Whirlpool again to see where we go from here.  NOT going to purchase a new Whirlpool icemaker every 2.5 yrs!
  • 0
    Scott
    Same problem as all of you and I’m not going to feed my family any more Teflon. For know I will use old school plastic trays. Has anyone found a replacement with out the Teflon?
    I’m searching the depths of the internet now.
  • 0
    P Ham
    Same problem here coating is coming off it is now leaking and freezing the whole ice bin into one giant chunk this is a real concern and I really think whirlpool should address this problem.
    I know that my next fridge will not be Whirlpool
  • 0
    Brian
    I have a Kenmore side-by-side that has plastic chips in the ice. When i went to look at replacing it I see MANY reviews that say those folks experience this same problem with the ice tray coatings peeling off in anywhere from a month to 1 year down the road. Its amazing to me the manufacturers have not found a solution to this problem. I wonder about making the trays of slippery HDMW plastic and not needing a heater element to release the cubes. (seems to me we had lots of traditional plastic ice cube trays in the past??)
  • 0
    Don Friar
    I bought a old used Kenmore side by side and the icemaker mold coating is gone. I looked at my Frigidaire icemaker that the compressor went out on and even tho I bought if used and had it for at least 7 years the mold still looks new. Whirlpool needs to get it together.
  • 0
    Tbone
    I have a Maytag Refrigerator Model MRT711SMFZ00 purchased 7/2017 and the icemaker is dispensing cubes with bits of teflon in them. Could be harmful to health, and wondering if Maytag will stand behind this manufacturing defect.
  • 0
    Dan
    I just replaced my Icemaker (again).  It's the teflon problem again. I don't understand why this part can't be engineered using a different coating/plating. (e.g., silicon, chrome plating, or the coating they use on cooking skillets- the one nothing will stick too. Why not make it out of stainless steel?
  • 0
    Mike
    Replacing my second icemaker in last three years due to teflon flaking. Can't believe this same problem is happening for over 12 years and beyond based on the first post in this forum. Obviously Whirlpool is not concerned about the issue or my family ingesting teflon. What century is this??? Why are products continuing to get worse?

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