Rust on stainless steel refrigerator

ComplaintsAppliancesWhirlpool Refigerator

Complaint

0
Jahangir
Country: United States
Hi... I purchased whirlpool gold stainless steel (not stainless steel like) refrigerator from Lowe's last year December for my remodeled kitchen. Recently, I observed rust marks on the doors of my refrigerator. I called Lowe's and they sent in a tech to assess it. The tech said that it's cosmetic damage and they cannot replace the door under the warranty. He also informed me that they get many complaints like these (rust on stainless steel) for whirlpool products. I also spoke with a whirlpool customer representative and she also said it is considered a cosmetic damage. She told me that it happens because of the environment the refrigerator is kept in. During the same time last year, I also purchased other things such as oven, dishwasher and microwave but from different companies and they are perfectly alright (and that too in the same environment). The rep also told me that whirlpool never uses pure stainless steel for its products. IT'S SHOCKING!!! They are selling the products under false promise. I don't understand how can a stainless steel product get rusty? Any comments? Thanks.

Comments

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  • 0
    none
    | 2 replies
    If you've observed rust spots on your stainless steel appliance, The Complex Litigation Group is currently researching this issue and would like to hear from impacted consumers, so that a resolution for those affected by the issue can be achieved.

    To get more information on how your story can help, you can visit the Facebook Group, Rust on Stainless Steel Appliances: Class Action Group. It can be found here: facebook.com/groups/433426023388204/members/

    You can share your story directly with The Complex Litigation Group by emailing info@ComplexLitGroup.com or calling 866-779-9610
    • 0
      Sue replies to none
      I have had my Whirlpool Dishwasher for about 2 years 2 1/2 years never was very happy with the finish always looked blotchy. Today I just noticed what looks like rust spots on the bottom of my dishwasher. I do not know how to remove them I must say I am not very happy
      Thanks Sue
    • 0
      Hilda replies to none
      Thank you soon much!!!
  • 0
    neelie
    Same issue! I have rust all over my whrilpool fridge, I was told when i bought it it was stainless steel, not the fake one. I can NOT seem to get the rust off either!! It was about a year when its began happening. At the same time I also bought a stove, different company, NO Rust ! Very Mad
    • 0
      got_a_life
      | 2 replies
      All stainless steel is not created equal, and you get what you pay for.  If you want a high grade surgical stainless steel appliance, my question is,  are you willing to pay $15k for a fridge?  When the compressor, evaporator, etc is only going to last 8 to 10 years, why would anyone want a box that's going to last 50 years?  Most rust on appliance surfaces I've come in contact with is from people using crazy items as cleaners such as steel wool, ammonia, lemon juice, and other things that are corrosive. I've even seen paint thinner used to remove overspray from a painted ceiling and guess what....instant rust.  Is this reason to be disappointed with the manufacturer? I'm sure some people think so.  Bottom line, if you buy a cheap $800 side by side fridge that a magnet will stick to, expect rust in 2 years.  If you abuse it even further, expect it sooner.
      • 0
        CM replies to got_a_life
        Thank you for partially addressing the underlying issue.  With the relentless pressure for publicly-held corporations to produce quarterly earnings gains, there is absolutely no reason to produce the high-quality, long-lived, easily repairable products we all are longing for.  There is no money to be made.  A refrigerator with the above attributes may have to retail for more than $15K today.  I guess it is not PC to bring these real issues up.  BTW, we too have a new K-A refrigerator that has thoroughly rusted through within 2 years.  The new door assembly is $2,100 to replace at retail, which pushes the consumer to buy a new box, furthering the overall problem.
      • 0
        Kimeek replies to got_a_life
        Hey got-a-life....how about get a life! Do you hear yourself??
    • 0
      M
      | 1 reply
      Bought our Whirlpool stainless steel refrigerator on 4/1, it was delivered on 4/9, and on 4/19 we had rust on both doors, the handles, and the middle drawer. Home Depot said their was nothing they could do about it, and referred it to Whirlpool's "customer" department. They sent a third party tech out who instantly said its rust and should be replaced. Whirlpool tried having him tell us to buy a special "cleaner". He instantly stood up for us and said no. Whirlpool agreed to replace the middle drawer, but nothing else. We are in the process of filing a complaint with the PA Attorney General's office- Consumer affairs division and the BBB.
      • 0
        Eric replies to M
        What ever happened? We also had ours for 32 days & it is rusted $2300 later & Whirlpool & Home Depot said sorry after 30 days we do nothing.
    • 0
      D dynamite
      As I see rusting is a problem for all of the most popular and cost effective manufacturers of stainless steel, does anyone know of a model or manufacturer that I can be assured will not have this problem along with not being required to spend over $5,000?
    • 0
      Kim
      I too have purchased Whirlpool appliances for our new home that we just moved into on 2/28/2014.   In less than 2 months I have noticed small rust spots that are multiplying rapidly on the refrigerator.  I contacted customer service and was sent a stainless steal cleaner that what "supposed" to take care of the problem.  Was also promised replacement doors if it didn't work.   Now I am told it's a cosmetic issue that isn't covered.   It is insane and Whirlpool needs to correct this issue.   Hoping for help!!!!
    • 0
      Beverly
      Purchased a Whirlpool stainless stove & fridge in March 2014.  The 1st time we used the oven, the interior oven door window exploded into the oven.  Found out this was not all that uncommon.  Our appliance store replaced it. Now the outside of the fridge is showing all kinds of rust spots.  Whether the price tag is $800 or $8000...this should not happen.
    • 0
      LB
      I have stainless Kitchenaid appliances that I purchased fall 2013. The refrigerator has two rust spots on it. I haven't seen anything on the other appliances. Called Kitchenaid and they advised me to use Whirlpool Stainless Brightener - and I have to pay for it. I refused to buy it from them. I've already sent an email to the litigation group and I'm also going to contact Consumer Reports since they rate both Kitchenaid and Whirlpool as being very reliable.
    • 0
      kristie
      I thought I was going crazy! We bought our Whirlpool Gold Series and KitchenAid appliances in December of 2013 for our newly constructed home. We had them delivered in March and moved in April 2014. The KitchenAid gas stovetop and the Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator and Double Ovens have all developed rust spots. (We purchased an entire line of Whirlpool Gold Series and KitchenAid appliances. Our fridge, double oven, dishwasher, microwave, hood are all Whirlpool products and our 36" cooktop is a KitchenAid.)

      I typically use a dampened sponge to clean my appliances, and dry them with a towel afterwards. For tougher stains, I have occasionally used a stainless steel cleaner. @Got_a_Life, I never use any harsh chemicals or steel wool pads on my stainless steel, you have no idea what you're talking about. You must be a Whirlpool rep.

      I noticed rust spots on my double oven doors about a month after we moved into our house. The rust spots on the refrigerator door by the ice/water dispenser appeared in July. I scrubbed the spots off with a damp sponge. In August I noticed some rust spots on my cooktop and was able to clean them off. The spots were very small at first, like the size of pencil markings. Last night I noticed more rust spots on the cooktop by the burners that I seldom use. The spots were bigger, more like pencil erasers, and they were very hard to remove. The orange color came off but dull spots remain where the rust was.  

      Needless to say, I am very disappointed.   In our previous home we owned all stainless steel appliances by both Whirlpool and GE and were very happy with the performance of the Whirlpool items. Not once in 10 years did we see any rust on any of our those appliances. When building our home we decided we would go with Whirlpool since it is American made and we didn't have problems with their products (unlike GE and their awful customer support). We thought we were staying with what worked. My brother has had stainless steel KitchenAid appliances in his home for 7 years and has not seen any rust. We were wrong to go with Whirlpool and KitchenAid! Our fridge has also been serviced for reasons other than rust. Whirlpool and KitchenAid, what happened to you? Buyer Beware!

      What has been the outcome for those of you who have contacted the litigation group and the BBB?
    • 0
      Frustrated1961
      I purchased a stainless steel refrigerator 2 years ago and there is rust all over the front.  How frustrating to purchase this product and have nothing but trouble - it leaked and the ice maker does not work.  Wish I had never purchased this inferior Whirlpool refrigerator.  What at ripoff.
    • 0
      kkwhi
      My Whirlpool refrigerator and dishwasher have these rust spots. Very disappointed with Whirlpool.
    • 0
      Renea
      We are very disappointed. The doors of our refrigerator is very rusty. We also bought a stainless steel microwave. The microwave is fine but it's a different brand. They were both purchased from Lowe's.
    • 0
      Laureen
      I just purchased a whirlpool refrigerator in Feb 2015, I noticed rust on all of the doors.  I called whirlpool and a technician looked at it, it is covered under warranty. I will be getting all new doors, but I wonder how long they will last.
    • 0
      Deanna
      We purchased our Whirlpool refrigerator July of 2012, and we have had spotty rust ever since, besides that the ice maker dumps ice when no one is around, they replaced 2  boards in it and  it still does the same, sometimes it saves the ice and dumps all at once, even inside the fridge, bought it from Lowes, no one cares , but we will never purchase another Whirlpool product or large appliance from Lowes,
    • 0
      Lee
      It's not just the stainless steel Whirlpool appliances. I have a Whirlpool stainless steel refrigerator and a Whirlpool electric black stove. The refrigerator has little tiny rust spots just like you all are describing. The stove is peeling under the oven door and is rusted underneath. Both came from Lowes and both warranties are done, so I won't even bother calling. When I did call for the oven not  cooking correctly, the "technician" (They don't call him a repairman.) came and told me there was nothing wrong with the stove and that electric stoves normally run 5-10 degrees hotter so I need to set the oven 10 degrees lower and use different types of pans for different results. Then the right rear burner went up just after the warranty expired. They said it would cost $200 to fix, which is almost the price of a new stove to us. We told them to forget about it, bought a new part from some company out in Texas, and replaced the part ourselves for $14.95. I just hope none of the front burners go, because those ones cost over $100 just for the part.  The rear ones are pretty cheap and it's easy to replace.  The burners just plug in. The refrigerator really isn't that good. It doesn't stay as cold as it should in the summer, I have to watch where I put the ice-cream or it will be too hard to scoop, and the vegetables in the top vegetable crisper get frozen all the time. (You can't adjust the crisper like the instructions say, because the vent isn't one that can open and close.) The only Whirlpool appliance I have, that I really do like is the washing machine. Even the drier isn't that great. Miss my Amana refrigerator and gas stove. That thing lasted so long, I got tired of looking at it. When we moved, our house had no appliances and my mother-in-law talked me into getting all Whirlpool. :(
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