When you invest in a new appliance, you expect it to last for years. For decades, consumers trusted certain brand names to deliver durability and performance. However, due to corporate mergers, changes in manufacturing, and a focus on cutting costs, many of those once-great brands are no longer a safe bet. According to recent reliability reports from 2024 and 2025 by consumer groups and appliance repair technicians, these nine brands have seen a significant decline in quality and are now associated with more frequent breakdowns and costly repairs.
1. Samsung (Refrigerators)
Samsung is known for its innovative technology and sleek designs, but its refrigerators have developed a reputation for poor reliability. Repair technicians and consumer reports consistently flag Samsung refrigerators, particularly their French door models, for issues with their ice makers and cooling systems. Owners report frequent and expensive repairs, making this brand a risky investment for a core kitchen appliance.
2. LG
Similar to its main rival, LG has also struggled with the reliability of its kitchen appliances. The company’s refrigerators are often cited for premature compressor failures, a critical and expensive component to fix. Additionally, their dishwashers receive below-average marks for reliability, with owners reporting problems with control panels and drainage systems.
3. Whirlpool
Whirlpool is a legacy American brand that owns other popular names like Maytag and KitchenAid. Unfortunately, its reputation for quality has slipped. Recent studies from sources like the Yale Appliance reliability report show an increase in service calls for Whirlpool products across several categories. Consumers now find that the brand’s mid-range appliances do not offer the longevity they once did.
4. KitchenAid
While once considered a top-tier brand, KitchenAid’s dishwasher reliability has fallen in recent years. Though owned by Whirlpool, it has its own set of issues. Repair professionals report an increase in problems with control boards and wash motors, which are not cheap to fix. This decline is especially disappointing for a brand that built its reputation on durability.
5. Maytag
Maytag’s iconic “lonely repairman” ad campaign built a brand identity around dependability. Sadly, that identity no longer matches reality for many of its products. After its acquisition by Whirlpool, many consumers and repair experts feel the quality of its machines has declined. Maytag now shares many of the same parts and design flaws as its parent company, leading to more frequent service calls.
6. Frigidaire
Frigidaire offers appliances at an affordable price point, but that affordability seems to come at the cost of reliability. Consumer Reports consistently gives many of Frigidaire’s products, including refrigerators and electric ranges, low marks for predicted reliability. Owners report that while the initial purchase price is low, they often end up spending more on repairs over the life of the appliance.
7. GE Appliances
General Electric sold its appliance division to Haier, a Chinese manufacturing giant, in 2016. Since the acquisition, some repair technicians and consumers have noticed a downturn in the build quality and reliability of certain GE product lines. While the company still produces some reliable models, the brand as a whole is no longer the guaranteed mark of quality it was for previous generations.
8. Electrolux
The Swedish brand Electrolux, which also owns Frigidaire, has faced its reliability challenges. While it positions itself as a premium brand, its refrigerators and laundry machines often receive only average or below-average scores in consumer reliability surveys. For the premium price that Electrolux charges, customers expect a much higher level of dependability.
9. Viking (Ranges and Ovens)
Viking is a high-end, luxury brand that commands a premium price. However, its reputation has been tarnished by reliability issues, particularly with the igniters and electronic components in its ranges and ovens. When you spend thousands of dollars on a professional-grade appliance, you expect it to be bulletproof, but recent reports suggest that is no longer the case for Viking.
A New Generation of Brands
The modern appliance market is a difficult landscape to navigate. Many of the names our parents trusted are no longer the standard-bearers of quality. To make a smart purchase, today’s consumers must ignore the brand name on the front and instead focus on recent reliability data from independent sources. Doing this research is the only way to find the truly reliable appliances in a market where brand reputation can be misleading.
Have you had a bad experience with a new appliance from a brand you thought was reliable? Which brands do you trust the most? Let us know!
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