GE Reliability


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Thread Number: 39728
GE Reliability

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Post# 588283 4/9/2012 at 23:29 (4,397 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)
Checkrate/Likes Less than 18 months ago, my partner and I purchased a new home that had all GE Profile kitchen appliances included. In 18 months, every single appliance, including the Profile Microwave, has needed a major repair. Some have been covered by an extended warranty, most have not. The most exasperating experience has been with the dishwasher. After three control panels, it still will not let you de-select the added heat option, once selected. The problem is, if you use that option, the diswasher will get to one of its cycles, and run the main motor and heating element without a water fill, and will not shut off. A trip to reset it from the circuit breaker is all that will help. Our Profile French door refrigerator has an inoperative icemaker that replacement has failed to resolve. I could go on forever. We do not have the resources to replace the appliances with reliable ones, and I wouldn't know what to purchase anyway.

Post# 588302 , Reply# 1 4/10/2012 at 01:30 (4,397 days old) by qualin (Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *Your appliance issues* Sorry to hear you've had so many issues with your kitchen appliances. Before I start, let me just clarify my own situation: I have a Roper fridge and it is as basic as fridges come. No icemaker, water dispenser or fancy schmancy digital readouts.. It's a very bottom of the line fridge and it came with the house, which gives it a 1998 vintage. It works just fine and keeps our food cold. Our stove is a Roper as well. It has four coiltop burners and no self cleaning oven, which means we have to use Easy Off and a lot of elbow grease to clean it. We recently replaced our Roper dishwasher with a Miele because the noise it was making was driving us nuts. It's the nicest thing so far in the kitchen. Now, You mentioned GE Profile. That means you have relatively high end GE appliances. They are basically the "Cadillac" of appliances, so to say. ... and just like Cadillacs, there are not only a lot of features but there are also a lot of things that can go wrong with them as well. This is true of any appliance brand. You said, "We do not have the resources to replace..." but then you imply that you are fed up with your existing ones? I can understand your frustrations with your existing appliances, but you seem to imply that they all still work, but just with diminished functionality. Keep in mind that's better than what some people have! So seriously, What would be your budget to replace them all assuming you replaced them one at a time instead of all at once? Have you considered financing? Believe it or not, you could pick up entire kitchen sets for under $1000. There are plenty of people like me who "Inherited" the bottom of the line contractors "specials" and want to get rid of them for more fully featured or higher end units. Used appliances are a dime a dozen on the used market. There is probably some kind of a used appliance dealer that can sell you something which you can get by on if you are really stuck. The other option is to either do the following: 1. Pay someone to fix the appliances to your liking and continue to pay as required. 2. Replace your modern appliances with vintage ones which work well. (There are plenty of people who can give you advice on this.) 3. Replace your modern appliances with other modern appliances. It's kind of strange.. you can buy a bottom of the line GE fridge and it'll work reliably for decades without issues, but you can have a top of the line GE Fridge and you could have nothing but issues with it. I personally own a GE Profile washer and dryer. The washer makes a strange "crunk" noise when it agitates, but that goes away after a few minutes. The dryer works flawlessly and always has. Microwave ovens are cheap.. Panasonic units are very plentiful and are cheap to replace. However, some of them don't have a very long lifespan. Due to their cost, they're also quite disposable. (We've burnt through two of them at my workplace in the last five years, but they're only about $100 ea so who cares.) I personally own a Sharp Microwave which was built in very late 1999 and it's holding up very well. I've even unintentionally abused it a few times and it still keeps on chugging away.. The problem is, they're next to impossible to find here. My opinion is, if you have appliances covered under an extended warranty, make full use of it. Make life a living hell for your local appliance shop and make sure that you feed the appliance repairman very well. If your dishwasher has gone through three control boards so far, keep going. After about eight or ten of them, perhaps your appliance shop will just give you a replacement dishwasher. The same thing goes for your fridge and any other appliance which still has the extended warranty. Just keep going until they can't fix it anymore or until the warranty expires. For the appliances which are already out of warranty, either consider getting them fixed as well or replace them outright, one at a time. Consider yourself lucky that your icemaker is all that is broken on the fridge. Another member of the forum had issues with his GE fridge not even refrigerating! Worst case scenario: 1. If your dishwasher is broken, you have a kitchen sink and dish soap. 2. If your fridge is broken, that would suck. :-( 3. If your stove is broken, there's always the Microwave... 4. If the Microwave is broken, eat out more and stimulate the economy. :-) In the event of #1, $20 buys you a set of gloves, a good set of scrubbing sponges and a bottle of dish detergent. In the event of #2, used fridges are almost literally a dime a dozen. Heck, I have a friend who picked up a 20 year old fridge for $5 once when his main one conked out. It kept his food cold until he could afford to buy another. In the event of #3, used ranges are almost literally a dime a dozen as well. It's more about condition and the features you want that matters more. A used appliance shop will clean them out, test them and repair them before selling them. Otherwise, the used market is Caveat Emptor. In the event of #4, see my comment about Panasonic Microwaves. Another thing I should mention... If you pop by any boutique appliance shop and complain about all of the issues you are having with your appliances, a salesperson will be very VERY happy to sell you everything you could ever possibly need and/or want and they may even help you get the financing you need so you can actually afford to make the monthly payments. I could suggest a multitude of brands, but realistically what you want are these attributes: - Features. - Price. - Looks. (White? Black? Stainless Steel?) - Functionality. - Condition. If you cook lots, then you want to focus on getting a decent range and fridge. If you cook seldomly, then anything will do. Same thing with dishwashers too. Good luck.

Post# 588448 , Reply# 2 4/10/2012 at 16:31 (4,397 days old) by henry200 ()
Checkrate/Likes I got fed-up with my 3 year old Profile fridge and replaced it right before Christmas. Anything I put in the crisper drawers would freeze, and after two expensive parts replacements the condenser coil area under the floor of the refrigerator section (a bear to access and ridiculously designed) would still ice-up. The thing ran almost constantly....so much for energy-efficiency. Even finding a repair person proved difficult. Only one out of the six or so I called would even come out to take a look at it. The others all said essentially they wouldn't touch a Profile with a ten foot pole. If it weren't for the lack of a reasonable freezer section I would have brought upstairs the 1949 Frigidaire from the basement which runs flawlessly and is virtually silent. I'm using a BOL Whirlpool now, so far so good.

Post# 588633 , Reply# 3 4/11/2012 at 13:51 (4,396 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes around here, vey new home built has GE profiles installed, and within the first 24 months, you find them by the dozens out on the curb....... they really seem to be contractor grade, a disposable appliance just to put something in place, as for longevity, I wouldn't count on it.....especially the washer, dryer and dishwasher..... when we looked at new homes, if it came with GE's.......we inquired for replacements of a different manufacturer before we considered buying that house....

Post# 588636 , Reply# 4 4/11/2012 at 14:12 (4,396 days old) by spookiness (Alexandria VA)
Checkrate/Likes *I've steered from GE* I do love my MOL circa 10 yo GE Gas range, which was well rated by CU at the time. I much prefer it to my moms Whirlpool gas range. Mom had a GE DW for a short while, til it got replaced with a Whirlpool. Otherwise I have gravitated towards Whirlpool-made products and have been happy. Kenmore DW, Admirpool W, older Whirlpool D came with house, Amana fridge, might predate Whirlpool affiliation, not sure. I always shop for middle of the line products in everything, neither the cheapest nor the fanciest, and that formula tends to work for me.

Post# 588656 , Reply# 5 4/11/2012 at 16:48 (4,396 days old) by k1rod (Scottsdale, AZ)
Checkrate/Likes I too have had a really bad experience with my GE refrigerator. I bought it new in 2005 and just after owning it for 2 years, it started not refrigerating and making a strange clicking noise. It turned out the main control board had gone bad (this is a known problem with these refrigerators) and cost $325.00 to replace. Since then, a fan in the freezer has gone bad, along with having to replace the Icemaker (another known problem). Very unhappy with current issue GE appliances.

Post# 588668 , Reply# 6 4/11/2012 at 18:12 (4,395 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)
Checkrate/Likes Qualin, Thanks for the advice. You have to realize that we moved from a house with very reliable, fairly new appliances. In 7 years, not one of them needed a repair. Of course, they were all MOL, and not all of one brand. (Range=Frigidaire; Refrigerator=Samsung; Dishwasher=Asko.) I did get a chuckle out of your response. It sort of made me sound like a whiner. Guilty! I'm very old and cranky, so that probably has something to do with it. Thanks again for your response and tips. Rinso, AKA Gene.

Post# 588702 , Reply# 7 4/11/2012 at 23:30 (4,395 days old) by qualin (Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Glad to have been of help. I guess I just haven't been impressed by the quality of GE appliances lately. When you look at their 1960's/1970's era stuff, it seems to be built absolutely rock solid, then then MBA's came in and figured they had to cut costs all to heck. It got really bad around the late 1990's. I used to think the world of GE stuff at one point in time. As much as I hate to say it, unless GE cleans up their act and starts innovating again like they used to, the next range and fridge I buy will either be LG or Samsung. Maybe Whirlpool if I like what I see....

Post# 588730 , Reply# 8 4/12/2012 at 08:12 (4,395 days old) by tgm8000 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *Love my GEs* I have always purchased GE appliances and really like them. I have a 2007 GE profile washer and dryer (love them). A 2006 ge profile dishwasher and love that, it cleans beautifully. I also have a 13 yr old ge side by side and just sold the 13 yr old ge range and purchased a ge stainless double oven range. Never a repair on any of these appliances. All of the appliances above replaced older ge appliances I had , which I sold when I remodeled. Again I will be selling my refrigerator and dishwasher in the near future as I am updating to stainless and yes my new ones will be GE! A friend of mine purchased kenmore/ whirlpool at the same time I did and has numerous repairs on all his appliances. No brand is exempt from repairs!

Post# 588910 , Reply# 9 4/12/2012 at 23:11 (4,394 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes This apartment was built around 1986 with all GE appliances (except the rusty, growly ISE disposer which nonetheless still works). Every few months a DW or MW will show up at the dumpster but all my originals still work. I asked the maint guy why he tossed instead of fixed. It's because GE has raised parts prices to near what the whole appliance cost to start with. The apt does not supply laundry twins, just hookups. Or there might be more corpses. You can bet no GE appliance--or any other brand--sold today will still be operational 26 years from now. Some don't last 26 MONTHS.

Post# 588925 , Reply# 10 4/13/2012 at 00:23 (4,394 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)
Checkrate/Likes Aribilab, I agree. In the 1980's, we had a kitchenful of new GE appliances in our home. I just checked with the recent owner of the house, and they are all still there and working.

Post# 588943 , Reply# 11 4/13/2012 at 01:21 (4,394 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes True, the appliance industry is in a sorry state today. Minute the warranty runs out, the thing costs more to fix than it's worth. All this electronic doojiggery, everybody knows electronics don't like heat or water and appliances are always one or the other. Not just that, but exploding tubs, bearings that don't bear and hinges that don't hinge. Sad thing is, there won't be any legacy appliances for collectors 50 years from now.

Post# 589296 , Reply# 12 4/14/2012 at 12:35 (4,393 days old) by bwoods ()
Checkrate/Likes *GE parts prices* If any one has gone to GE Parts they will see that Arabilab is not exaggerating. The parts are frighteningly high for current production models. But if you look at parts for their machines that have been out of production, they are beyond imagination. GE has some type of algorithm they use to set prices, which apparently, is based on age of the item and number of items left in stock. You can easily pay two hundred dollars for a part that previously cost $20 when the machine was in production or relatively new. I guess General Electric's premise is not only "supply versus demand", but "we know we can rip off people with vintage appliances because they can't get the parts anywhere else." Often, it's cheaper to get a GE part from Sears PartsDirect. General Electric must give Sears a wholesale discount on parts. Every once in a while, I'll get an email from GE advertising a 20% discount on all parts. This is about the only time I bother with GE Parts, most of the time I use other sources.

Post# 593255 , Reply# 13 4/30/2012 at 22:48 (4,376 days old) by jetawayjuan (Michigan/Phoenix)
Checkrate/Likes I had a ge profile dishwasher for a while and I must say it was the worst dishwasher I have owned. Is it me or does the dryers that forever to dry a load! I hate ge.

Post# 593262 , Reply# 14 5/1/2012 at 00:02 (4,376 days old) by alr2903 (TN)
Checkrate/Likes We learned a hard lesson after Katrina years ago, do not spend anymore than you have to. It's good advice re: gas grills as well, unless you have won the lottery, replacement grates and burners needed, just buy a new one. We once had magic chef dryer that was hell bent to ruin its rollers and break the belts..... time is money . alr

Post# 593287 , Reply# 15 5/1/2012 at 03:05 (4,376 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)
Checkrate/Likes I'm almost afraid to write this because as SURE as I do, something will happen........ 8.5 yrs ago we moved into our brand new house. All Whirlpool mid-range appliances. The ONLY thing that has went wrong is the ice maker had to be replaced, other than that, everything keeps ticking. It was 2004 when we moved in so I'm sure they aren't built quite as well now as they were in 2004. I used to look forward to a new fancy appliance, but not anymore. I want what I have to keep working because I'm so afraid that I'm doing to run into nightmare repairs with the newer stuff.

Post# 593446 , Reply# 16 5/1/2012 at 15:27 (4,376 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes I want what I have to keep working because I'm so afraid that I'm doing to run into nightmare repairs with the newer stuff. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Zackly.

Post# 594206 , Reply# 17 5/4/2012 at 15:50 (4,373 days old) by ryanm (New York)
Checkrate/Likes I have a GE PROFILE ELECTRIC RANGE which had a major issue right after it's 1st year anniversary (I have had it for 1 year 3 months now). It was going to cost over $250 to fix, so I called GE customer service. I was very dissapointed that a new unit would fail like this, however they stood by the unit even though it was out of warranty, they replaced the part, and did not charge me a service call, I only had to pay a 50% labor charge. Then they followed up with several phone calls, and then a letter to extend the warranty on the repair for 6 months. I have to say even thought I was dissapointed that the unit broke, they certainly treated me well with customer service. By the way this unit replaced a 10 year old GE builders grade unit that gave me no trouble until it really failed. I guess they just don't build them like they used to. I did not buy GE refrigerator, the salesman told me they are now made by SAMSUNG, so I passed.

Post# 594214 , Reply# 18 5/4/2012 at 16:21 (4,373 days old) by DirectDriveDave ()
Checkrate/Likes Yeah, my parents were so fucused on getting a new GE refrigerator, which we got a couple of weeks ago. (it's their call, so I have to go along with it) The old one we had was from 1989 with ice maker, with ice dispenser and water dispenser. As far as I can remember, the only problems it had was a failed defrost timer after two years (replaced under warranty and worked until the appliance's replacement.) and then just this year,the arm in the ice maker stopped rising so, it always thought the bin needed ice. (probably could have easily fixed that) Other than that, the thing still kept everything cold and the only electronics it had was that electronic diagnostic system and buttons for the dispenser light/crushed ice, that sort of stuff. The thermostat, defrost timer, all mechanical and worked fine for 20+ years. The new one is that GE Profile. I of course am very skeptical about how long this thing will last. has the same featues as the old one,. but no mechanical thermostats and things of the like. And what really annoys me is the water and ice for on dispenser instead of the two separate ones that the old one had (again, less electronics). If this thing breaks down before 5 years, I will just sit back, cross my arms and have the "i told you so" look.

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