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Kenmore, Model # 417.44052400

by Jill Zabka
(Solon, Oh USA)

This is a stackable washer. This is one of the worst investments I have ever made. It is a mystery, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't and there is no indication as to why.


If the setting is on delicate and only one nice sweater is in the wash it may not work because the sweater is too heavy (our guess). On other settings, it will start and then stop somewhere through the cycle.

It doesn't give an indication as to why it stoped. In these cases, we have to put it on drain and spin to finish which again may or may not work. When it works, the clothes come out clean. Another problem is the build up of mold on the rubber ring and the water retension in the rubber grooves.

I know of no easy way to clean up this problem. We bought the insurance which is rediculasly expensive. We have had the repairman out on two occasions.

The motor and circut board where replaced, this thing is only a couple of years old. The system was clogged by the soap that was recommended for this type of machine.

If I would have known this would required such an expense in insurance I would have bought a different machine.

It shakes the house on the spin cyle which we found out from the repairman that the floor should have been reiforced. That information should have come from the sales and installation department.




Comments for Kenmore, Model # 417.44052400

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Aug 04, 2015
Rating
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kenmore washer 417 NEW
by: Anonymous

The smell that you guys have with frond loader washers is : you guys washing with to low water temp. , the bacteria in the washer stays alive, your underwear bacteria and her t shirt bacteria mixing up together and that gives the smell, TURN UP YOUR HEATER / BOILER, AND WASH YOUR BEDSHEETS AT-LEAST ON F 160 AND YOUR SMELL PROBLEM IN GONE !!, one's a week washing on > f 160 kills all bacteria in your washer, and I know it all from 1950, Europe is using front loaders from 1950 and up yo today !! Hope I can help you with this !

Mar 23, 2015
Rating
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I've had mine since 2003 NEW
by: PJ

I have had mine since 2003 with no problems. If it doesn't balance it is because you don't have enough in the washer. This is a problem inherent with front loaders.
A balance problem may also be that a spider (the arm that holds the drum to the frame) is loose. You can check at Samurai Appliance repair to see how to fix that. I don't work there or have anything to do with them - other than he has helped me do other DIY repairs!

Dec 30, 2014
Rating
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Washes great BUT NEW
by: Anonymous

I find it to be a mystery machine also. It would run through a whole wash cycle and the clothes would be unspun. Recently I just wanted it to do a rinse and spin. When it was done, the clothes were soaked. I reasoned that if it could not drain the water out, it would refuse to spin. I checked how well it could drain and the flow was strong and steady. But most of the time it works and works well.

Feb 04, 2014
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Disagree with all NEW
by: Anonymous

I have both but (combo)in Frigidaire not in Kenmore the washer(Model GLTF1670AS) and dryer(Model CLGQ642AS2).I have always being delighted with the performance. Never has given any problems and love them so much for the fact that they are analog controls not digital which makes them less vulnerable to electric outages or voltage level impairments. so far the only critic that I could mention is that the washing capacity is small, other than that they are the perfect ones. paid $598 for the washer and $438 for the dryer on military sales. I wish I could find another pair as a gift to my mother.

Feb 04, 2014
Rating
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Disagree with all NEW
by: Anonymous

I have both but (combo)in Frigidaire not in Kenmore the washer(Model GLTF1670AS) and dryer(Model CLGQ642AS2).I have always being delighted with the performance. Never has given any problems and love them so much for the fact that they are analog controls not digital which makes them less vulnerable to electric outages or voltage level impairments. so far the only critic that I could mention is that the washing capacity is small, other than that they are the perfect ones. paid $598 for the washer and $438 for the dryer on military sales. I wish I could find another pair as a gift to my mother.

Nov 10, 2013
Rating
star
It's a piece of Junk.
by: Tim W

I bought this Kenmore in 2006 and thought It was a pretty good deal at $600.00. Man was I wrong! I've spent about $800.00 in repairs and it still is the worst machine I've ever owned. I've kept it because I have too much money in It to let it go. It does a terrible job at washing my clothes, it stops and starts at will, it wakes me up in the night beeping for no reason, it smells like mildew because it doesn't drain all the water, and the bottom sheet metal cover is rusting, and it's very noisy. The motor makes a very loud humming sound when it's running.
I think this is the end of my relationship with Sears products!


Oct 05, 2013
Rating
star
no good
by: Anonymous

after spending 1600.00 on this set the value is about 50.00 in scrap metal all my clothing is coming out with a smell that needs washing in a real washing machine

Jul 23, 2013
Rating
star
Terrible Product
by: Anonymous

We have owned this washing machine for 8 years, and have had nothing but problems with it. A week after we purchased this washer, it stopped working. Sears sent a repair man, but even he could not determine why it wasn't working. So, they replaced it with a brand new machine. The second machine has been repaired 4 times for major problems. And now, it seems as though there is some kind of soap residue build-up in the washer drum itself which is causing the washer and all of our clothes to smell terrible. We have tried everything to remedy this problem, but to no avail. Tried keeping the rubber gaskets clean and dry after each load, cut down on detergent, stopped using fabric softener, and tried running a clean cycle (no clothes; just bleach) once a week. Still nothing. I will never again purchase another Kenmore washer.

Feb 06, 2012
Rating
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Have had no problems at all
by: Anonymous

I have the 417 Kenmore washer for 7 years now and love it we have had no problems at all with it. for the people with smell problems try lemi shine this does wonders on the smells. These front loads do get a smell because they don't use a lot of water and you can get buildup behind the drum and that causes the smells. I used the lemi shine and takes all the smells away.

Jan 08, 2012
Rating
star
poor Frontload washer
by: Jethro38

We too bought the Kenmore (#41744042400) FL washer and dryer set. Have had it for 6.5 years and now find laundry ruined by oil streak marks left on clothing from the washer. Told Sears of this problem and they were of no help and said they'd never encountered this - what B.S.
All they had to do was google the on-line blogs like I did and found several hundred complaints. I contacted several local service repair cos. and all said it was a bearing issue/replacement at a minimum (part costs -$250 and labor $400). Considering we paid top $ for these units, I fully expected more than 7 years life. Sears was of no help and only appears to want to sell product, with no service to back it. This is the thanks for being loyal to their brand. NEVER again will I purchase anything from sears - what a terrible company that used to be good...adios sears!

Nov 28, 2011
Rating
star
Doesn't clean well; odor problem
by: Vivian

Have had this front-load model Kenmore for about 6 years; it is my first front-load washer. Had it for about 2 months when the belt got out of alignment, and if I had not been in the room when it happened, it would have taken out the wall. Began noticing a smell from our clothes, especially towels, after about 6 months. Also noticed a slimy, black/brown buildup in the tub around and in the rubber seals. Researched smelly clothes problem over the internet and changed to a natural detergent which isn't supposed to cause buildup and use vinegar as the clothes softener. This change helped whereas I do not have to manually clean out the slime as often, but the problem still exists. After I have cleaned out as much slime as possible (using many paper towels), I use a bottle of lemon juice and one cup of baking soda in the hot wash cycle, then follow with a vinegar only rinse cycle. This process is the only way I can use the washer without it totally ruining my clothes. I probably will not purchase a front-load washer again.

Sep 29, 2011
Rating
star
It stinks- literally
by: Anonymous

Wow- I thought I was the only one. The lettering on my machine smudged off almost immediately. The drawer where you put the soap also cracked and broke. We also had a mildew problem and my clothes would get streaks from the mold in the rubber assembly. Now it does not even spin.
This is the second front loader I have purchased in the last 10 years. Front loaders seem to be a real problem. No more kenmore or Maytag.

Jun 30, 2011
Rating
star
Washing (?) Machine
by: Anonymous

I was excited to purchase a front-loader six years ago. Haven't had any repairs, yet... However, it doesn't do a good job washing clothes. It smells terrible!!! It is always moldy. It even makes the clothes stink. Wish I could get my money back or apply towards another machine.

Jan 15, 2011
Rating
star
kenmore model 417 washer
by: Anonymous

I will absolutely never purchase another kenmore product everyone i have ever had i have never been satisfied with.
my kenmore model 417 front load washer lasted 5yr. in that time had the drum suspension replaced the drain pump replaced and now the bearings have gone out on it.

KENMORE, ABSOLUTELY NEVER AGAIN !!!!!!!

Nov 27, 2010
Rating
star
WORST JUNK EVER
by: Anonymous

This is the worst washing machine I've ever owned. I purchased it when I moved into my new home about 5 years ago and started having problems just about a year later. First, I washed off spilled detergent from the front and it washed off the lettering -- now I don't know what cycle to choose. Then the plastic front control panel started cracking for no reason. Then my clothes started smelling like mildew. We treated the machine every month with the recommended treatment but still can't get the smell out of the machine. Sears won't do anything about it. We will never ever purchase another Kenmore!!!

Nov 19, 2010
Rating
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kenmore washer parts
by: Anonymous

I have a 6 yr old kenmore model 417xx. Spider is shot but bearings,tubs, and everything else is in good shape and works. Anyone needing inexpensive parts can e-mail me. weber.keith@sbcglobal.net

Oct 22, 2010
Rating
star
Me too!!!
by: Mike

Had the washer and dryer combo for 4 years. The washer needed repair twice. The dryer needed repair 5 times. Kenmore products used to be good products. What happened?

The most disappointing thing here is that Sears does not stand behind their products!!! I am done with them.

Oct 22, 2010
Rating
star
JUNK
by: Anonymous

Mine lasted 4 years and the cost of repair will almost exceed the price of the machine , the drum spider broke and the excessively long screws chewed Thur the tub , from researching this machine I found many reports of the same problem . By the way 417 series are built by Frigidaire so choose another brand.

Mar 20, 2010
Rating
star
Worst washer ever!
by: Anonymous

Ours is only 4 years old. just doesn't spin so clothes come out sopping wet. We were told the logic board has to be replaced for $350.00. No way. We are done with Kenmore and Sears.

Nov 19, 2009
Rating
starstar
washer
by: Anonymous

Owned this model for 3 years.It has been worked on 4 times. The bearings recently went out, and I had that repaired. Now 2 weeks later, it doesn't work. Very disappointed.

May 22, 2009
Rating
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Seven Years Old
by: Bill

We have had this model in service seven years as of this year. Only event was the timer stuck on "spin cycle" twice during this ownership.

We have used Costo's Kirland brand liquid detergent and not the recommended HE.

Jan 19, 2009
Rating
star
Kenmore disappoints
by: Anonymous

We are very disappointed as well. We have a 6 yr. old machine and the bearing is shot and not worth repairing. To have to replace a washer after only 6 years is ridiculous and I will NEVER buy another Kenmore washer (or other Kenmore products possibly). We had sludge buildup inside the drum and battled the problem for months. WE used liquid detergents and softeners as specified which is the cause of the problem. We were told by a local seller that we should only use POWDER detergents and no softeners, but dryer sheets instead. And only use half the deteregent recommended. I am very unhappy with the quality and longevity of my Kenmore washer and their lack of committment to design and durability. We have many other Kenmore appliances that are working great. But this experience has shaken my confidence. I wonder if this is Kenmore's problem or an industry problem in general. It doesn't seem as though they are making products to last like they did in the past. Don't we all have memories of having a washer last so long (20 yrs or more) that we wished it would die so we could get a new model. That does not seem the case today. How sad.

Dec 07, 2008
Rating
starstar
Poor design
by: Steve

Bearing failed in 36 months and the cost to replace it includes both inner and outer drum. Total will almost exceed the purchase price.

A poor design at best and no help from Kenmore after the primary warranty even though they know the machine is useless if the bearing goes.

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