5 Frequent Customer Complaints About Whirlpool Refrigerators

Though most modern refrigerators last between 10 and 18 years, the average lifespan of your refrigerator will depend in part on how well it's designed and manufactured. If you're shopping around for a new refrigerator, you should prioritize purchasing from a reliable brand that is known for durability and performance. For instance, if you're considering a Whirlpool refrigerator, you should read customer testimonials and research the brand's reputation using data from independent testing and review agencies like Consumer Reports, the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, and Trust Pilot.

When Consumer Reports rated the most and least reliable refrigerator brands of 2026, the organization awarded middling ratings for predicted reliability of Whirlpool's French-door and side-by-side refrigerator models. These ratings were based on the results of owner surveys conducted in 2026. Whirlpool refrigerators have a 1.3-star rating on Consumer Affairs with over 2,000 reviews from customers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) lists over 5,500 complaints against the corporation over the last three years; however, these complaints could be against appliances from any of Whirlpool's seven brands. The company's rating on Trustpilot is 1.1 stars, with close to 800 customer reviews.

Yet it should be noted that even the best refrigerator brands have poor ratings on these sites, as well as complaints filed with the BBB against their parent corporations. The best thing you can do to evaluate the potential lifespan of a fridge brand and model is to read customer reviews. Unfortunately, customers frequently complain about five key issues with Whirlpool refrigerators: cooling system and compressor issues, broken ice makers, loud noises, premature rusting, and (perhaps worst of all) poor customer service.

One of the telltale signs that you need a new refrigerator is inconsistent temperature control. According to customers, this is a big issue with some Whirlpool models. You can find many customer complaints online claiming that their Whirlpool refrigerator won't reach the desired temperature, suddenly stopped cooling, or was diagnosed with a failing compressor. Some customers even state that the appliance failed within days of installation or in the first year of ownership.

In a Reddit post, an owner stated, "I have a brand new (used less than 2 months) fridge (model # WRT518SZFM02) that has stopped cooling as of sometime last night." Another Redditor who repaired a cooling issue with their refrigerator posted an update confirming that they replaced the compressor relay, yet "fast forward a month later and bam, the same issue hits with zero cooling/freezing."

In 2023, Whirlpool faced a class action lawsuit that claimed that the company manufactured 56 refrigerator models that did not maintain safe, consistent temperatures due to a defect, and that the company continued to sell these products to customers. Though the case was later dismissed without prejudice, it seems that customers are still potentially dealing with compressor problems in certain refrigerator models according to online discussions. A Facebook group titled Whirlpool Refrigerator Compressor Complaint Group has over 2,000 members who claim to be affected by compressor issues with their refrigerators that cannot be repaired due to the brand's shortage of replacement parts and lack of customer service.

If you're in the market for a new fridge, you may want to be aware of the potential disadvantages of side-by-side refrigerators made by Whirlpool. Customers claim that ice makers fail prematurely, get stuck, or freeze over. They report that the problem persists even after they have gone through all of the recommended steps for resetting the ice maker. Some even say that they have replaced parts more than once, only to experience the same issue.

In a post to Reddit, a Whirlpool owner claimed, "I end up replacing the ice maker roughly once a year." Another person posted a picture of their broken ice maker to the subreddit r/appliancerepair, asking, "How should I handle this catastrophic ice maker failure in my 3-week old Whirlpool?" In another post, a Redditor experiencing the same issue said that they "found another post on this sub about how the wires at the bottom of the freezer door are notorious for getting cut. So I just went and looked and sure enough 5 of the wires were severed."

This wiring issue was the subject of another class action lawsuit against Whirlpool filed in 2024. It alleged that Whirlpool knew that the ice makers, water dispensers, and control panels in its side-by-side refrigerators were subject to premature failure due to defective or faulty wiring in the freezer doors. The lawsuit was settled in March of 2026 for $26 million, offering around 850,000 appliance owners affected by the wire harness failures the option to receive cash payments, free repairs, or reimbursement for past repairs or replacements.

Most refrigerators make some degree of noise as they perform essential functions like cooling or making ice. However, persistent loud noises are not only obnoxious, but could be cause for concern. Knocking, squeaking, buzzing, and other loud noises could be warning signs of a failing part or broken component. Whirlpool refrigerator owners may understand this issue better than most. They complain regularly in online forums about strange noises coming from their fridges that are disruptive or alarming. In some cases, these noises have indicated that the fridge compressor is failing, a common issue with Whirlpool refrigerators. Customers have also claimed that loud noises were due to a broken ice maker, a damaged evaporator fan, or a failing motor.

One Redditor said, "We have a new Whirlpool side by side. When we open the door there is a rattle that last[s] for a few seconds then stops. It's driving us crazy." In a different Reddit post, a Whirlpool owner said, "I have a Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerator (less than 2 years old) and the "Freshflow" unit makes a loud noise (almost like a helicopter/rattling noise)...it seems to be fairly common...but I'm not able to find a solution for it." In a post to r/appliancerepair, a customer posted an audio file of the screeching noise their fridge was making, saying, "Here's what my Whirlpool W7 832T MX H refrigerator sounds like about half the time, it's an unbelievably annoying sound I can hear from the other room."

Refrigerators experience wear and tear and damage over years of ownership, particularly if they are not cleaned properly. Yet new refrigerators should not develop rust on the exterior unless they are regularly exposed to high humidity and condensation, such as from a leaking water dispenser or freezer, or if the protective coating or insulation is damaged. You can clean stainless steel appliances to remove rust, but you should investigate the underlying reason it developed in the first place to prevent it from coming back.

In a Reddit post, a customer claimed that their "Whirlpool WRB322DMBM [is] rusting after 1 week." Another posted to r/Appliances "Help! Less than 8 month[s] old Whirlpool refrigerator developing white discoloration at the base of the handles." In a different post, a Redditor asks for advice about why their five-year-old Whirlpool fridge is rusting and what they can do about it. A commenter responded, "Whirlpool, in my experience, is also the most likely to show these rust spots. I see them in our showroom more than other brands."

Stainless steel can rust if it is cleaned with abrasive tools or products, like bleach, which degrade the protective coating on the appliance. Yet many customers complain that rust formed within months of installing their new refrigerator. Unfortunately, it seems from customer reports that this issue isn't covered under Whirlpool's standard warranty. Said one appliance owner on Consumer Affairs, "Stainless steel rusted in under six months...The finish was obviously defective. Contacted Whirlpool...and was told the damage was cosmetic and not covered by warranty."

If you're experiencing a problem with your refrigerator, you don't want to face months of arguing with repair technicians and customer support representatives or warranty snafus that prevent you from getting the repairs you need. Allegedly, this is exactly what customers experience when trying to contact Whirlpool's customer service department. One of the most common complaints against Whirlpool according to Consumer Affairs is a poor customer service experience.

In a post to Reddit, a customer complained, "I bought a Whirlpool fridge in Feb. and it died in Oct. It's under warranty, but after many repair failed attempts, it's still not working 60 days later. The customer service reps have had no sympathy, and [I was] promised call-backs that never happened." In another rant about poor customer service, a Redditor claimed, "Whirlpool is one of the worst companies I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with." A post to r/Appliances in which a frustrated customer facing delayed repairs of their Whirlpool refrigerator asked, "is this type of ridiculously slow replacement timeframe the norm?" generated hundreds of responses, many of them commiserating with the person's experience.

Before shopping for a major appliance, take a moment to consider the biggest mistakes to avoid when buying a new refrigerator. Don't skip over warranty details, fail to research repair and maintenance costs, or buy before you've read customer reviews. Overall, if you want to find a reliable, trustworthy refrigerator brand that offers good customer service and quick repairs, customers suggest that you might want to avoid Whirlpool.