ELECTROLUX washing machine - RUST

[jchoong]

https://vgy.me/50iRRb.jpg


Since moving to my current residence (13 years ago), I have gone through 3 Electrolux washing machines - of the same, or upgraded model. I picked this Electrolus model as it is a top loading machine that is small in size (to fit my laundry area) with sufficient capacity (for an old couple - we are seniors).

The first two were quite good although they lasted a few years only, and then had to be changed as it was not economical to repair.

The 3rd unit that is almost 2 years old, have worked well, although rust started to set on the metal door cover just over a year after installation. Initially it was a tiny bubble and my wife didn't care much about it. But after a few months the rust grew rapidly. I only spotted the problem a couple of months ago. There is a big rust section on the top of the cover, and more bubbles are visible - see picture attached.

Seeing how badly the cover has corroded, I became very concerned. Not only is the dirty rust an eye-sore (may soil the clothes too) but can be a safety issue. And there is no stopping the corrosion as I believe it is a design and manufacturing issue. Based on what little I know, corrosion is usually a result of some form of electrical electrolysis - a bad design and/or choice of material, will result in corrosion.

I contacted Electrolux Singapore and had verbal and written exchanges with the customer service dept, and even spoke to the manager there. They wanted to charge me $200+ to replace the door cover (labour and parts). I asked for a free (or nominal sum) replacement of a faulty component and for safety reason. But Electrolux turned me down and told me there is no safety issue. At a high $200+ repair charge, Electrolux is essentially telling me to get a new unit (which they offered me a $50 discount) which costs more than $700, I think.

So, I will continue to use the badly designed Electrolux until it is an unbearable sight, or when it starts to soil my washed clothes. Hopefully we won't encounter any safety issues.

Next washing machine? Stay away from Electrolux, and go with the more reliable and better made Asian brands.

I am sharing my bad experience here. But welcome any comments or advice. Thanks.

 

[watzup_ken]

So far, I will only recommend LG washers. My parents and myself have been using front load ones with no issues for many years. In fact, my parent's LG washer should be at least 9 years now, while mine is 7.

A lot of these European brands are anyway not manufactured in Europe. And even if they do, the components may not suit local weather, i.e. humidity.

 

[jchoong]

I concur with you.

Until a year ago, I stayed away from LG (even though I have used several Samsung devices). However I bought a LG large screen TV early this year and I really enjoyed it; so I bought another LG TV (smaller unit) for my bedroom. And then when my old fridge started to misbehave, I bought a LG fridge; its been excellent so far!

I think Electrolux got famous because of their vacuum cleaners; they should have focused on vacuum cleaners. However even these got too expensive and they got priced out of the market.

 

[yamashita]

Just a thought - when you mention the first 2 washers lasted for a few years, does that fall outside of your expectation and if so, any reason why you decided on Electrolux for the 3rd replacement?

A quick fix is spray paint over the rust area. This will cover-up the rust area and stop the rust from spreading. I used Rust-Oleum paint spray previously for my Thomson washer (rust over lower back panel due to water droplets). You can check out this product link from Lazada.

I have good experience with Samsung and LG home appliances when I was living in Korea. Back in Singapore, I replaced my Thomson washer with Samsung and it lasted for 7 years.

 

[jchoong]

As indicated in my first post, I picked (and stayed) this particular Electrolux model as it is top loading and small enough to fit the limited space allocated in my small laundry area.

Thanks for the spray paint suggestion. Yes it will work, but only for a while. The rust has penetrated quite deep into the metal, and across all along the top edge of the cover; so replacement is the best option.

My gripe is that Electrolux Singapore don't seem to care at all. If I were working in their Operations dept, I would want to take the cover back and do a thorough diagnosis to find out the reason for the rapid corrosion, and then feed back the findings to their product designers. It does not bode well for their image to have such an ugly sight on their product; and if this serious corrosion is seen on one unit, you can expect to see it in many, many more units and pisses off the consumers.

 

[watzup_ken]

As indicated in my first post, I picked (and stayed) this particular Electrolux model as it is top loading and small enough to fit the limited space allocated in my small laundry area.

Thanks for the spray paint suggestion. Yes it will work, but only for a while. The rust has penetrated quite deep into the metal, and across all along the top edge of the cover; so replacement is the best option.

My gripe is that Electrolux Singapore don't seem to care at all. If I were working in their Operations dept, I would want to take the cover back and do a thorough diagnosis to find out the reason for the rapid corrosion, and then feed back the findings to their product designers. It does not bode well for their image to have such an ugly sight on their product; and if this serious corrosion is seen on one unit, you can expect to see it in many, many more units and pisses off the consumers.

Spray painting will not solve the problem, and without removing the rust, it will still continue to corrode under the spray paint.

I think you opinion of the ops folks in these manufacturers is somewhat over and beyond what is happening in reality. Most companies won't want to spend effort on out of warranty product, much less take the machine back to check why it corroded this fast. Unless this is a widespread problem, then there is a slim chance for a recall. When I mean slim, I really mean very slim chance.

 

[jchoong]

I worked for a MNC manufacturing company for many years, and we were always very concerned with product safety and quality. If we get an odd complaint (bad rust problem on a washing machine door cover, would be a good example), we would be concerned and want to know the cause. Perhaps, companies today have less pride and concern for product quality, safety, etc.

Oh, I didn't expect Electrolux to take the whole washing machine back for evaluation. They could have just replaced the rusty door cover and take it back for diagnosis.

 

[watzup_ken]

I worked for a MNC manufacturing company for many years, and we were always very concerned with product safety and quality. If we get an odd complaint (bad rust problem on a washing machine door cover, would be a good example), we would be concerned and want to know the cause. Perhaps, companies today have less pride and concern for product quality, safety, etc.

Oh, I didn't expect Electrolux to take the whole washing machine back for evaluation. They could have just replaced the rusty door cover and take it back for diagnosis.

Don't get me wrong, as a consumer just like you, safety and quality is something that is great. But with firms looking only to cut cost due to stagnant/ declining revenue, very little firms still emphasize on quality. Safety is still a must have to avoid getting sued.

 

[jchoong]

Unfortunately that seems to be the trend!

 

[xiangzeng]

Unfortunately that seems to be the trend!

I have been using LG top washer WFT1271DD, 12kg capacity since Oct 2015 and it is still working excellently. I used large capacity to reduce the frequency of washing. Now, I wash only twice a week. Previous washer was samsung 7kg front door which leaked water after 4 years.

This washer can load my large blanket 240 cm x 220 cm and wash somehow clean as the space to turn the blanket is really limited to this large item.

On normal clothes wash, very excellent washing - clean and less tangle. At start of wash, it runs unlocked, I need to clear off the residue detergent on the tray so that the next input of water remains clean.

There are other capacities of LG washer to choose from. Look them up at https://www.lg.com/sg/top-load-washing-machines.

 

[jchoong]

I concur; LG products have improved a lot over the past few years, and I am becoming a fan. As a matter of fact, my last few appliance purchases have mainly been LG. I now have LG tvs (2), fridge, and microwave!

Thanks for the LG site; I will definitely buy a LG washing machine if they have a suitable model that can fit my small laundry area.

 

[watzup_ken]

I have been using LG top washer WFT1271DD, 12kg capacity since Oct 2015 and it is still working excellently. I used large capacity to reduce the frequency of washing. Now, I wash only twice a week. Previous washer was samsung 7kg front door which leaked water after 4 years.

This washer can load my large blanket 240 cm x 220 cm and wash somehow clean as the space to turn the blanket is really limited to this large item.

On normal clothes wash, very excellent washing - clean and less tangle. At start of wash, it runs unlocked, I need to clear off the residue detergent on the tray so that the next input of water remains clean.

There are other capacities of LG washer to choose from. Look them up at https://www.lg.com/sg/top-load-washing-machines.

To be honest, I am not a fan of Samsung products. At least the consumer electronics which I have observed that they are good to look at, but don't last. Just my person observation, so I steer clear of them as well.

 

[jchoong]

See all the negative feedback here - terrible customer service and don't care attitude of management!

https://www.google.com/search?q=com...;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10

The rust on my Electrolux washing machine top cover continues to spread, and now the machine is vibrating heavily and roaring away during the spin cycle. The machine is only about 3 years old! So, I am out looking for a replacement - a compact machine given my small laundry area. I will steer clear away from Electrolux!

 

[jchoong]

I went on a search for compact top loading washing machines and shortlisted these 2:

1) Brandt BT650MA, 6.5 kg, $899. Made in France with dimensions similar to my about-to-be junked Electrolux.

2) LG WFT1181DD, 11kg, $890. Made in Korea with dimensions considerably larger but can fit my laundry base.

I am skeptical about European makes, particularly Brandt which dont have much presence in SG.

I have been purchasing several LG appliances and happy with them - quality and price. I am inclinded to go for the SG unit.

Welcome any comments and advice. I need to go out and get a replacement washer as soon as possible.

 

[Ark Law]

I went on a search for compact top loading washing machines and shortlisted these 2:

1) Brandt BT650MA, 6.5 kg, $899. Made in France with dimensions similar to my about-to-be junked Electrolux.

2) LG WFT1181DD, 11kg, $890. Made in Korea with dimensions considerably larger but can fit my laundry base.

I am skeptical about European makes, particularly Brandt which dont have much presence in SG.

I have been purchasing several LG appliances and happy with them - quality and price. I am inclinded to go for the SG unit.

Welcome any comments and advice. I need to go out and get a replacement washer as soon as possible.

My opinion; European washers are best left in Europe. Even German made Miele only carry a 2-year warranty in SG when UK and German consumers have access upto 10-year warranty.

I personally stuck to Panasonic and get retailer's extended warranty to 5 years (just replaced a 10yr old Pana NA-F70B1).

 

[jchoong]

I made a quick decision and bought a LG top loader 11kg for $799 at Harvey Norman. It was an easy decision - almost a no-brainer - for the LG.

For a compact top loader with small footprint, Brandt is the only other brand besides Electrolux. However Brandt didnt have stock, and Electrolux is a No-No.

For a top loader, no other brands had a smaller foot-print than LG.

I got a reasonably good price for the LG 11 kg unit. But the sales people were hard-selling an extra warranty coverage for years 3 and 4 which costs $159+. I didnt bite as it makes no sense to pay that sort of premium for 2 additional years of warranty.

 

[derrickgoh]

See all the negative feedback here - terrible customer service and don't care attitude of management!

https://www.google.com/search?q=com...;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10

The rust on my Electrolux washing machine top cover continues to spread, and now the machine is vibrating heavily and roaring away during the spin cycle. The machine is only about 3 years old! So, I am out looking for a replacement - a compact machine given my small laundry area. I will steer clear away from Electrolux!

My machine is 6 years old & no rust at all except a bit on the inside which i guess is unavoidable. Neither does my machine vibrate heavily or roar. So unless u are sway & bought a lemon or its been poorly maintained.

The fact that u first posted in nov 2018 & still bother to check in in apr 2019 for negative comments is also rather odd & not something most ppl will do.

 

[jchoong]

As far as I know, there is minimal maintenance for a washing mc - apart from keeping the external and internal clean, and emptying the drain and cleaning out any filter from time to time. Washing mcs are largely trouble free with the usual wear and tear. Its the same with other home appliances, eg fridges, etc.

When I posted in late 2018 I wanted to share my bad experience with Electrolux - the bad service and poor quality of product. And when the vibrations and loud roar surfaced last week, I checked customers feedback and reviews to see whether such problems have been encountered, etc. That's where I hit on the long list of complaints and negative feedback. Sad thing is, the local Electrolux doesnt seem to care about consumer feedback!

Anyway, from my prospective, Electrolux wont be in my buying list again. There are lots of other options and better buys. My latest purchases have been mainly Made in Korea items - the Jap products have quickly being expensive and outdated. Just sharing.

 

[jchoong]

Oh my old Electrolux is only 2 years and 3 months old - and it being discarded!

Electrolux only provide 1 year warranty; my new LG has 2 years warranty!

 

[skyskysky]

just bought a Electrolux front load washer for promo px at HN. px really cheap with hot water 60'c & dryer combine. paid another 3 yrs warranty(2+3) for $180. hope that can last me for 8 yr and above. this is my 3rd washer the 1st and 2nd lasted for more than 10 yrs