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Considering I work at the World's largest dishwasher manufacturing facility, I figured I should chime in. The production line I work on makes Tall Tub Dishwashers. These include all highline and midline (The lower lines are made in the same factory, different line), Kenmore, Whirlpool, and Kitchenaid (Whirlpool owns Kitchenaid and is contracted from Sears to produce their Kenmore dishwashers). Unfortunately, I dont have much good to say about them. "Quality First, unless it affects quantity."
There has been alot of issues I do not agree with, but the "Customer Acceptance Lab" buys them. Anything from the lids on the silverware baskets not staying on, the the doors not functioning as intended, they fall instead of staying where you put them. I also see how they are manufactured. There is several inherent design flaws that save the company $$ so it's ok. One of their latest is the new wire harnesses. A few years ago, all connections were via push on type terminals, individual conductors and multple push on block connectors. The wires were also all 18awg at the least. Our new connectors, which are on ALL of our models on my line is cheap. First, any noncurrent carrying (nothig over 2 amps) wires are 22awg wire and "computer" type connectors. Like those white ones you see on circuit boards. I can see either the wires being partially broken during repair in the facilty due to the very thin wires, to the connectors becoming corroded in very short order from the humidity. There is alot more I can go into. I do not want to defame the company, but I'm being honest here. I'm sure the other companies have done alot worse then us. One fear I have is that the company is relying on reputation from 20 years ago whereas their products were known to last decades. Now they have replaced longevity and reliabilty for "innovation" (or cheapness IMHO). I'm sure I have a one sided view, afterall I build about 2000 of these damn things a shift and am tuned to noticing the smallest flaws. I also have 8 hours to think about how they could get messed up. Our dishwashers are assembled in the USA. I am happy to say that almost all of our plasitc parts not made in house are made fairly locally, and not overseas. One of the biggest gripes I have is that half of our sump motors are LG motors. LG is our #1 competitor, why they hell do we buy half our motors from our competitor!! Our warranty policy is also changing, be sure to read your warranty carefully before purchasing. Our test stations for testing every dishwasher that goes out does a shortened but thorough test. Now, however, they changed it and bypass the fill valve. Instead, water is put into the dishwasher via a hose which was used before to "prime" the sump. So there are no guarantees on the fill valve not leaking. It really gets to me. I would buy one because I can get parts like nothing, just take in the broken part and the supervisor will write a gate pass for me to take the new part home. Like I said before, I'm sure I have a oe sided view. If you do buy anything, make sure it's made in the USA. That is my company and most US companies worst enemy, is overseas competition.
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