Q&A: Are built-in refrigerators more prone to repairs than other types?

I’m planning a kitchen remodel and want the look of a built-in refrigerator. But built-ins have been more likely to need repairs, according to Consumer Reports. Are these refrigerators a bad investment?

Our past surveys have found that built-in refrigerators were more repair prone than other types. But a recent analysis by the Consumer Reports National Research Center (CRNRC) shows there's been a change. When the CRNRC looked at reader responses to the Annual Product Reliability Survey about refrigerators bought between 2003 and 2007, it found that built-in refrigerators have not been more repair prone. Note that the survey did indicate that Sub-Zero built-in refrigerators have been repair prone.

Built-in refrigerators like the highly rated KitchenAid KBFC42F[SS] shown offer a sophisticated, sleek look—at a high price. (The 11 built-in models in our latest report range in cost from $5,200 to $7,600.) Built-ins align with cabinets and can be covered with panels that match cabinetry. Most built-ins are at least 36 inches wide and are about a foot taller than conventional refrigerators since their compressors are on top.

Many built-in refrigerators are bottom-freezers, but you’ll even find separate built-in refrigerator and freezer columns that you can place next to each other or install in different areas of the kitchen. 

Essential information: Before you shop for a refrigerator, read our buying advice and review our Ratings of bottom-freezers, built-ins, side-by-sides, and top-freezers (available to subscribers).

Comments

[Janice]

Why are built in refrigerators so much more expensive than regular refrigerators? And now that I hear the have more repairs, why would anyone pay so much more for them?

[Dean Dennis]

I just want to share that my expensive Jenn-air built-in side by side refrigerator lasted less than 7 years before I was forced to purchase a new built-in. I say forced to because the first time it broke down the company did not have a timer stocked so we went ten days without refridgeration. They did not cover any of the more than $300 bill. Recently it broke down again. This time they didn't have a compessor stocked. The back order was three weeks and I had already been without refridgeration for half a week, before I could get a person they wanted to trouble shoot come to the house. I had hoped they would at least cover the parts and labor for my inconvience of having to purchase a more than $2,000 new unit since I could not go without a refridgerator a month. They didn't. Customer service is very weak. I understand that Kitchen-Aide is now under the umbrella with Jenn-air. I also understand that Whirlpool now owns these companies. Here is hoping that they do not drag the not so glamorous Whirlpool name down. I have always thought highly of Whirlpool. However, I decided to to purchase a Frigidaire just to avoid anything associated with Jenn-air (now Kitchen-Aide) and how they do business.