Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid--> GE top loaders

[swong]

Morning Everyone-I am a unfortunate owner of a new GE WPRE6100G0WT Top Loading Washer. I purchased a GE based upon reliability ratings published by ConsumerReports.Org which has served me well for over 20 years. Sadly, upon further investigation many of the appliance and repair forums have voiced major issues with the GE TOP Loaders using the infamous WH38X10002 transmissionswith the failure prone internal brake. This washer/transmission combo has been on market since 1995 and has a high mortality rate making the spin basket rotate along with the agitator when the internal brake starts failing. Depending upon useage the normal "wear and tear" from useage failure of this transmission renders the washer worthless and not worth repairing. I personally was tipped off when I saw huge amounts of new WH38X10002 transmissions being sold on ebay some as inexpensive as $50.00 + shipping. Called a few of the vendors and got a education ....one particular ebay vendor was selling in excess of 25 transmissions nationwide on a monthly basis and had a standing order for 50 more each month to be delivered. I followed this up with a call to the GE customer care number requesting if they had a buyback policy or possibly being credited for my purchase on a less than 1 week old washer which fell upon deaf ears. Unlike others I have limited space in my laudry room making this type of repair unpractical , am getting on in years, and have neither the strength nor inclination for personal major parts repairs other than the easily accessible items such as hoses, pumps, and the ocassional appliance timers. Netting this out please think twice prior to making a GE top loader purchase until such time GE stops using these problematic WH38X10002transmissions. BTW, there is now a 10 year parts warranty on the WH38X10002 transmission however the major expense in any washer repair is in the labor which is not covered except in the first year. If I could relive the past 10 days I would have gone with a Whirlpool direct drive top loader which is highly recommended by the service techs. Moral of the story is do NOT completely use Consumer Reports as your sole guide

[Pegi at Sams]

Thanks for the post, cannot go by CR seems like these days, especially when they give different reports on the exact same machine with the Kenmore, Whirlpool or Kitchenaid name on the front, etc, makes me wonder if $$ changes hands somewhere behind the curtain....since this is one week old cannot you get the store to exchange it for you???

[swong]

Hi Pegi-
Originally tried working with the dealer which I purchased the washer from. They stated the washer presently was working perfectly and in such pristine condition there was nothing they could do for me other than suggest I go through the manufacturer...in this case General Electric. My old washer was a 28-year old Maytag but when we remodeled the washroom stupid me decided to get new appliances. Quality of everything has gone to the dogs!.....in old days the covers were porcelin coated versus spray painted sheet steel. Drain hose is now very thin plastic tubing which will leak if vibration induces a wear spot. What's more amazing is what GE charges for replacment parts when compared to the same stuff I can get at ebay. What upsets me more is these top loading washer GE transmissions have been an issue since the 1995 model year and GE has done absolutely nothing to rectify the premature brake failures. Servicing this new WPRE6100 is not bad with the exception of transmission replacements. Motor and water pump along with all hoses are accessible from the front but I do wish they would have coated the bottom pan with at least some decent zinc coating. If the bottom pan starts to rust the washer will be toast for sure

[Pegi at Sams]

Wait till the motor starts kicking in and out on low speed, then have to install a "motor kit" ....motor/harness, etc, with a clutchless clutch attached...

[swong]

I've noticed many of your readers speak glowingly of you and being a average consumer I depend on these forums and subject matter experts like yourself to make an informed purchase along with making repairs if and when the products break. My faith has been permanently shattered with Consumer Reports. What you stated earlier should have keyed me off prior to my recent purchase. GE manufactuers washers not only under the GE logo but also Hotpoint and RCA. Whirlpool manufactures for themselves also but now also for Maytag and Sears. Maytag lost all their credibility with their Neptune front loader debacle which was why I purposely avoided them as a possible choice. As a homeowner I almost always make an attempt to make repairs myself and when my effort proves fruitless I then consider calling in the service tech's. Money is hard to come by but very easy to spend as I've told my son countless times. It should be spent wisely and is just a medium to be bartered for other goods and services. I originally thought the GE top loaders "were" of decent design especially the WPRE6100G0WT....major parts are easily accessible for replacement purposes but who would have thought the one part (the dreaded failure prone WH38X1002 transmission used since 1995 by GE) would be the one part requiring multiple replacements similar to fuses on a buss panel? It look's like I have to live with my purchase until such time I get my money out of it but having been treated so badly by GE I feel I have to let everyone who will listen if they every consider making aGE top loader purchase...Be Afraid, Be Very, Very Afraid!