Normally when I write a review, it’s because I love the product and want to spread the world. That is not the case here. But with Maytag throwing the word “dependable” around, I just can’t let it go. So here is my review of the Maytag 4000 Performance Series washing machine. No one asked or paid me to write this, I just don’t want any more moms falling into the trap of believing that Maytags are good, dependable appliances…because they aren’t.
When my husband and I signed the lease for the new house, we were told upfront that it didn’t come with a washer or dryer. After a bit of negotiation, the owner gave us a credit (by way of reducing our rent) to go and purchase the appliances needed. We did so, and were thrilled to have snagged a Maytag 4000 Performance Series front loading washing machine.
We were downright giddy the day it arrived. Up until we tried to run our first load of laundry, of course, when we were greeted with error message. Strange. So we tried it again – error message. Same with the third load of laundry. And so it continued. Most of the time the error message would flash during the wash and rinse cycle, but even if it did manage to get all the way to the end of the spin cycle, the clothes were soaking wet when we removed them from the machine. How could this be? It’s a brand new machine. And we even bought the special “he” detergent.
Annoyed, we called the Maytag customer service line and waited a crazy amount of time to talk with a representative. You know how the Maytag repair man just sits by the phone that never rings in the commercial? Yeah, that’s not an accurate depiction of how it actually goes. We found the wait times to speak to someone were around 20-25 minutes or more, only to make it to the end of our wait time and get hung up on. When we did finally get to speak with a representative, they walked us through some trouble shooting techniques to no avail, and it was eventually determined the Maytag repair man was going to have to come out and fix it. But on their schedule. You know, when people with normal schedules work? Yeah, those times. Grudgingly, we made the appointment and I paid someone to wait at the house for them.
But they never showed up. The repair company blamed us for missing the appointment, and we blamed them for not calling the alternate number we provided. That is, after all, why we provided an “alternate” number. There was no convincing them, so we agreed to disagree and pried another appointment time out of them. Again, I paid someone to sit at our house and wait. This time the repair man arrived, and after a few short minutes he determined that the issue was an excessive amount of soap in the machine, or in other words, user error. He cleaned it out and told us to run the washing machine with vinegar only until I could clear the error messages. Then I was to use an Affresh tablet to clean it out. After that, we would be good to go.
Except we weren’t. The error messages continued. After 4 vinegar washes, I finally got a wash free of error messages, so I put the Affresh tablet in and turned it to “Clean”, only to receive an error message. And more error messages. And more. They. Never. Seemed. To. End.
After weeks of attempting to wash clothes and only receiving error messages, I’m ready to just throw the washing machine out. I’ve been able to do maybe 2 loads of laundry in the 3 weeks I’ve had this washing machine. And I’m not convinced that those loads of laundry were really 100% clean. Not impressive. And most of the time I’m running the machine with vinegar only to try and clear the error messages. I shudder to think about what my water bill is going to look like. And as I started to poke around the internet, I found that so, so many people have had these exact same types of problems with their brand new Maytag appliances, down to the letter. Even a few very famous bloggers.
Listen, I don’t ask much out of my appliances. I’m not someone who needs the newest product, or the product with the most high-tech features. I just ask that my appliances work. All that I’ve heard about my Maytag (from both the repair man and the main customer service line) is that it’s a very delicate machine. You can’t use too much soap. You can’t leave the door closed between washes. You have to wipe down the inside between washes. You have to clean it with Affresh regularly (or else).
What happened to dependability? I’m a mom. I need something durable and dependable. Unfortunately, I wasn’t told that the Maytag 4000 was a fragile appliance until it was too late. And now I’m stuck with it. Because I’ve followed directions and tried to repair it, I’m past the store’s return period, so they won’t take it back. And Maytag has stated that they’ll keep coming out to fix it until the end of the 12 month warranty period, and then it’s my problem. Lucky me.
I just don’t have the time or energy to care for this delicate piece of machinery. I don’t have the money to sit home from work and wait for the repair man – who is repeatedly late, I might add. Only for the repair man to (finally) arrive and blame it on us. Then to call Maytag customer service and be told that there’s nothing that can be done until 3 days from now, when they might be able to send out another repair man. Maybe. If we’re lucky.
My kids need my time. My husband needs my time. My pets need my time. My washing machine shouldn’t need my time or attention. And if it were really “dependable” it would just be there in my laundry room doing what it was supposed to do. And yet, it is not.
Maytag may work with mom bloggers, but let it be known that I’m NOT a Maytag mom. Please, whatever you do, don’t purchase a Maytag. Learn from my mistakes…and purchasing a Maytag was no doubt a mistake.
Can anyone recommend a good washing machine? It looks like we will probably be purchasing a new one in the near future.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Maytag frustrations! We went really cheap when we bought ours – a Kenmore top-loading washer at Sears for $350. I love it. No fancy electronic system to throw out error messages – just a washing machine. My dryer is also a Kenmore – one I bought from a friend. It’s been working for 8+ years now with no problems.
Hi Lynn! You’re actually the third or fourth person to recommend Kenmore…they must be good. And 8+ years on a dryer? That’s awesome. Can I come over and run a few loads of laundry? Just kidding. 😉
I’m happy to see this review, not because you’re so unhappy but because we’ll be needing a new machine in the near future (3 moves and ours just isn’t working so hot anymore). And now I know what to avoid!
My mom has an LG washer and dryer, both front loading, and loves them. I don’t know which models they but they are very much ‘bells and whistles’ versions. I personally try to bring my laundry every time we visit 😉
I love your blog!
So frustrating about the Maytag washing machine!
I am excited to start checking out your blog now:).
Feel free to hop over to mine, I’d love it.
http://www.wifemotherwannabe.blogspot.com
How disappointing! My mom has an LG and she loves it. Maybe that brand will work better for you.
Stopping by from the Hump Day Hop. Hope you can stop by mamasmusingsblog.blogspot.com
My wife and I bought a Maytag 4000 series washer and dryer. The washer is now LOCKED with a red light on and I cannot get the door to release. In addition, when I plugin the Maytag Washing machine, it sounds like it is cycling, however, NO water enters into it.
So P!ssed off I can see straight. All these bells and whistles P!ss me off! Never again!
Where is that Kenmore top loader?
I feel your pain and I’m so sorry you are going through this. The one month that we had our Maytag, my stress level was through the roof. In the end, the store ended up taking it back even though it was past their return period. I’m so thankful that they did, too.
And for what it’s worth, our washing machine had the same problem – it would sound like it was cycling, but there was very little, if any, water in it most of the time. I knew we were in trouble when the repair guy came out and said that I should just try to return it to the store. I mean, it was good advice to return it to the store, but he was essentially saying he couldn’t fix it.
We ended up buying a LG top loading washing machine and so far, so good. I hope yours is fix-able. Good luck.
I purchased the Maytag 4000 series pair along with pedestals and the table for over the top of pair. I spent a lot of money on the whole set. I, luckily, bought a four year extended warranty as well. It has been a tad bit over two years since the purchase and my washer is almost DEAD. It sounds like a jet engine on take off when it starts spinning. Repair man came and looked and said it was the bearings. Since it was not economical for them to repair, I Have been told I will receive a credit for the purchase price from two + years ago. This will somewhat satisfy me. I will probably go back to a top load but then I have a pedestal and the top to contend with. Those two items together cost almost the purchase price of a top load. But I don’t really blame Maytag, I blame the design which apparently none of the manufacturers of front load washers want to correct. They may soon come to be a thing of the past!!!!!
Honestly, I hope they do become a thing of the past. I mean, they look cool and everything, but almost every single person I know who has one has had a problem at one point or another. Some problems are easy fixes, but other machines have had to be completely replaced when they are still pretty new. I’m so glad that you got the warranty and they are giving you your money back!
I was upset because my machine never worked. Other than a load or two of laundry (and truthfully, I’m not sure if they were even cleaned properly, but when you have nothing, your standards get kinda low for what is considered “clean”) it never worked. After weeks of blaming me for for the problems, Maytag said that I had to go through the “process” to get a replacement, which meant at least 6-8 home visits to fix it where I would have to take off from work, despite the fact that the repair guy said on the 3 visit to our house that it was pretty much dead/defective. Thankfully, in my case, it was the store that stepped up and agreed to take it back even though I was technically past their return period (P.S. – I love BrandsmartUSA!).
I do blame Maytag because they put their products on the market as dependable when so, so many people have problems with them. If I could only tell you the number of searches I get each day for “Maytag 4000 Error Messages” or “Maytag 4000 F25 Error” it would blow your mind. Check out their Twitter page – all you’ll see are complaints, apologies, and promises to contact customers about the problem. As far as I’m concerned, when you put your name on something, you stand behind that product. If front loading washing machines aren’t dependable, they shouldn’t slap their name on them. You don’t blame the consumer, until you essentially can’t anymore, and then require them to be inconvenienced so you can go through your “process”. I’m actually terrified because we rent and soon after this post, I noticed that our fridge is a Maytag. Any day, it might go…
As far as going back to a top loader – I highly recommend it! When we bought a new machine, we ended up going with a top loader, but one that had a clear glass top and huge capacity. I think it’s an LG. I love it so far.
I too have had ongoing nightmares with my Maytag 4000 front loading machine. I had a Sears warranty which has been equally nightmarish to deal with. They have spent 3 times as much on parts and refuse to just replace it. They have been out here about 8 times in the last year. And of course, when the door locks with wet clothes inside and you can’t get an appointment for 2+ weeks, then you have a big problem with your clothes, too. My machine has successfully washed maybe 4 loads of laundry in the last 9 months without an error. I will never buy another Maytag NOR anything from Sears. Google Sears warranty complaints. I’m going to Bosch, Aniston or Miele. Everything else is manufactured by either Whirlpool or Electrolux it seems. LG makes Kenmore. Kenmore has never been a manufacturer, just a brand. Though I have to say, I’ve had zero complaints about my Maytag dryer I bought at the same time.