Customer Reviews

Amana : ABB2221WH Easy Reach 22.1 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator - White

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

For anyone considering an Amana freezer-on-bottom refrigerator, check this before you back the unit into place.

From time to time, we used see some water near our refrigerator. With four children, we always thought it was because someone had dropped an ice cube. Well, it turns out that wasn't the case. I recently backed out our unit to clean off the fan grill. I found a lot of water right underneath the refrigerator. Also, there were clear signs of water damage as we had black marks on the hardwood floor. I took off the cardboard back panel to determine if there was other water to dry up and to determine where the water was coming from.

It appears our fridge went through quality control on a Friday afternoon. It didn't take a technician to see the defrost tube wasn't connected. When I tried to reconnect it, I found the tube is SECURED in this position. It didn't just come loose in shipment. The tube cannot be attached to the drip outlet until I remove a bracket holding the tube in place. (The opposite end of this tube correctly terminates right over the evaporation pan). The quality control label on the back of the refrigerator was completely blank in the check boxes next to each item (Electrical, Condensor, etc. ). Nothing was stamped or checked off. Why is it there if it isn't used?

I called Amana today. I explained all of this and noted our unit was out of warranty. I then expressed my deep disappointment at this kind of workmanship. I went on to note my next refrigerator would be another brand (and not one of the many other brand names actually manufactured by Amana) Their response? "Well, the unit is out of warranty. I could give you the names of some local repair companies". I told her I would fix it myself. "Ok then, thank for calling Amana today".

That's it? That's the entire response? Their customer support was about on par with the production line that made our refrigerator.

Amana Bisque Bottom Freezer Freestanding Refrigerator ABB2222FEQ

Our model refrigerator is slightly different: ABB2227DEQ, but looks the same. We purchased our refrigerator at the Sears scratch and dent warehouse for $750, without an ice maker. We love the refigerator, as far as space, accessibility of items, and flexibility of shelving. We like the large wide drawer in the bottom, where we can adjust the temperature even further, to keep our meats very cold. Pop cans or water bottles could go in this drawer, as well.

Problems: We had problems with vegetables freezing, and we spent a lot of time experimenting with changing the temperature of the refrigerator, the freezer, and the meat drawer, all to no avail. Finally, we called for service before the warranty expired (we procrastinated almost a year). The first service person found that the back of the freezer was totally frozen, and he defrosted the whole unit and didn't find a problem. Problems continued, now the freezer didn't get cold enough, so we made another service call. This service person diagnosed the issue as a bad evaporator. The evaporator was replaced, as well as a filter dryer, and the service person also added a dryer with dye, so that if it malfunctions again the next service person will be able to see where the leak is. This service person also said that the refrigerator was turned into the "scratch and dent" warehouse because of a mechanical problem, not because of the scratches and dents. Lesson learned! Ask why an appliance was turned into the scratch and dent. Hopefully they will let you see the records.

Now, 2 months later, everything appears to be operating fine, temperature wise, but we are hearing a lot of loud gurgling sounds that go on for just a few seconds, usually when the refrigerator is bumped, such as when the refrigerator door is closed, or the freezer drawer is closed.

Unfortunately, it is now out of the original warranty period. When we called to describe the problem, we were told that there were 4 noises that we'll hear with this refrigerator. They said gurgling noises are normal when the refrigerator is in a defrost mode. They couldn't tell us if it was normal for this to happen primarily when the refrigerator is jarred, such as when the refrigerator or freezer door is closed.

Now we're left with a decision to make. If the gurgling noise is indicative of a problem, and it is related to the repair work done, it will be covered under the 90 day warranty of the repair. However, if it is a normal noise, and not indicative of a problem, we will be charged $69 for the service call.

We didn't purchase the extended warranty ($350 for 5 years) on this refrigerator, even though the repair person had recommended we do so, as he said the warranty repair he had done would have cost over $400 if it had been out of warranty. However $350 is almost half the cost of our refrigerator; if we have that much problem with the refrigerator, I think we would rather just invest in a different model than deal with repairs under an expensive warranty. But, we really should have started calling in for service soon after we bought the refrigerator, rather than procrastinating, thinking we just needed to figure out the correct settings.

Fortunately, we do have an additional year warranty, because we purchased the refrigerator with our mastercard gold card, which doubles a manufacturer warranty, as long as the original warranty is one year or less.

Right now, I'm searching people's comments on this refrigerator to try to determine if the gurgling sound is normal, or not. Seems like the manufacturer should be able to do a better job of informing us of whether or not there is a need for a service call.

I have never had any complain about Amana 22 ft refrigerators before (had 2 of them), so I bought this one without hesitation but I was wrong...
This makes popping noise every time it turns on, even when it's not running it makes crackling noise. It's on and off every 20-30 min and I'm constantly irritated by it.
I spent so much energy with service person, they all say "It's normal".
Are you kidding!!! I know what normal means.

I'm trying to return this product with 20% restocking charge. I'll be very happy if I could return this unit.
My mental health is more important to me.

p.s. This is the very first time I post any kind of review on the web.

UPDATE:

May 2, 2010.

We complained to the retailer last week & today received the latest model of this Amana bottom freezer. Mdl# ABB2221WEWO. Supposedly the new model has resolved the issue with the design problem with the bottom freezer creating a malfunction by developing a build-up of ice and frost in the compartment.

We will see.

Keeping our fingers crossed!

Original complaint:

We purchased Amana bottom freezer model ABB2221FEW two months ago. After one week the freezer had a build up of ice and frost on the top of the bottom door and all over the plastic light shield and it even froze the plastic tab that controls the light so the light would not turn off or on.

First visit by serviceman: He said that we just were not closing the freezer door which let frost build up. Gee, we only have been using refrigerators for over five decades without this happening. Anyway the serviceman raised the front adjustment of the refrigerator to make the doors swing closed quicker.

Within days the ice and frost built up again in the bottom freezer.

Second visit by repairman today: He now says that he called the manufacture rep and found that this is a known problem. The repairman ordered a frost kit #12002686 and Duck Bill #8201796. He said he would call when the parts are in.

We replaced our 15 year old Amana bottom freezer when we found that the refrigerator was freezing and the freezer was warm. We bought another Amana thinking that at least we could get another 15 years out of it. But we were wrong about the new Amana.

We are going back to the store and complain that we want our money back.

From Sears service:

"If frost or ice is forming on freezer packages, shelving, or back wall compartment order the following kit. Order repair kit 12002686 for both Domestic Models (115 volt) and (230 volt) International Models. See attached Instruction Sheet for details on installing Bottom Mount Frost Kit."

"There is a duckbill grommet # 8201796 that can be installed over the outlet end of the drain tube. This is the tube at the bottom of the unit, to the drain pan. It will prevent air from equalizing through the drain tube. This part is available."

I'm sorry to hear all the problems with your new Amanas. I bought the first generation of Amana's bottom mount freezer over 15 years ago and it's still going without any problems, even after a move. My mom bought one before I did and it's still running with no problems.

They do make some gurgling noises but not enough to be annoying. I guess the quality must keeps going downhill.