5 Common Problems With Whirlpool Kitchen Appliances

Head to your local appliance shop, big-box hardware store, or even general retailer like Costco or Best Buy, and you will no doubt see a variety of brands. Samsung, LG, and Bosch are all likely represented, alongside the more than 100-year-old Whirlpool brand. 

What started as a washing machine company in 1911 has since transformed into a global appliance giant, offering everything from washing machines, dryers, and air purifiers to essential kitchen appliances, such as stoves and ovens, refrigerators, and microwaves. The brand has been well-regarded and certainly well-known throughout its long history — it was recently ranked by Food Republic as one of the best refrigerator brands — but some buyers online report encountering a few recurring issues with its kitchen appliances that are worth researching.

No dishwasher or refrigerator is perfect, but there are a few alleged problems that commonly come up that might give someone pause if they're on the hunt for a new appliance. While the fix is often fairly easy and inexpensive, it's helpful to know which issues tend to pop up before making a big purchase like an appliance so check out these common problems that customers have said they encountered with Whirlpool appliances.

Whirlpool customers have complained about their refrigerators not getting or staying cool commonly enough that it merits a section on this list. Refrigerators should be set between 33 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, any higher than 40 degrees and your food risks entering the USDA's Danger Zone, where bacteria can rapidly reproduce and cause foodborne illness. The solution is not always one size fits all; for example, one Redditor found that their refrigerator stopped cooling, while their freezer remained completely functional. But the typical — and easiest-to-fix — culprit is dirty condenser coils, which can be taken care of with a swift cleaning. Blocked air vents, which can be fixed by rearranging food items, and faulty gasket seals are also common causes. But, cooling issues could be a sign that the refrigerator is having more complex electrical issues, which you would need an appliance expert to fix.

Another major problem some Whirlpool customers report is a leaking dishwasher. It might not occur during every cycle, but when it does happen, customers find it happens regularly and often enough that it cannot be ignored. The first thing to check is the door seal to make sure it is intact. If it has any rips, tears, or signs of wear, it could be allowing water to leak from the dishwasher onto your kitchen floor. Another cause that has come up many times among Redditors is a faulty bottom spray arm, which can be replaced for about $85. Whatever the cause, a leaking Whirlpool dishwasher is not something to ignore, but it might have a surprisingly easy fix.

Many home cooks don't even think about the glass window of an oven door because it tends to be a steadfast and reliable part of the overall appliance (the utility bill that your oven can run up is a different story, though). However, between January 2025 and March 2026, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received hundreds of reports that the glass on certain oven doors had shattered, and Whirlpool appliances were implicated alongside four other brands. Some homeowners reported using their ovens as usual before hearing a loud, explosive noise and discovering that the glass had fractured into pieces, sometimes scattering across the kitchen floor or inside the oven.

Glass stovetops lend a sleek look to any kitchen, but they can be prone to several issues, including cracking. Whirlpool customers have unfortunately reported this occurring on a number of occasions. Common causes include thermal shock that comes from transferring a heated-up pot from a hot burner to a still-cold burner, as well as using improper cookware on the glass surface. First and foremost, if you notice a crack in your Whirlpool cooktop — or any glass cooktop — you should stop using your stove immediately and replace it. A replacement will likely cost hundreds of dollars, but the actual process of replacing it can be relatively easy for an experienced DIYer. However, buyer beware: To make matters worse, a Whirlpool customer on Facebook complained that after their cooktop cracked, the company informed them it no longer made that model, despite the stove being less than 10 years old.

Your dishwasher has just one job, so when it does not do that job, it is frustrating and troubling, especially if you splurged on an expensive model. Sadly, quite a few Redditors have reported that Whirlpool's dishwashers randomly stopped cleaning their dishes. One of the most common reasons for this issue is a failing circulation pump. Luckily, replacing it can often be a manageable DIY repair, depending on the model and your experience, so you may not need to call a repair technician. The part itself may cost about $80 to $90, though prices may vary.