Kenmore Refrigerator and Freezer Repair
We repair Kenmore refrigerators and freezers by first identifying who actually built them. Kenmore has always been a store brand made by other manufacturers, and the three digits before the period in the model number tell us which one, which in turn tells us which parts and failure patterns apply.
- $149 diagnostic, credited to the repair
- Licensed, trained & insured
- Parts & labor warranty
- OEM parts
- Mon–Sun, 8 AM – 8 PM
FridgeRepair.pro is an independent repair service operated by Appliance Repair Pros. We are not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Kenmore or Transformco. The Kenmore name and logo identify the equipment we repair.
Sears never manufactured a refrigerator. It contracted with major manufacturers and put its Kenmore house brand on their designs, so a Kenmore can be a Whirlpool, a Frigidaire or an LG underneath. Knowing which one tells us almost everything, which is why Kenmore refrigerator and freezer repair starts with a question most owners never think about: who built it?
How Kenmore model numbers work
Every Kenmore model number begins with a three-digit prefix, then a period, then the rest of the number. That prefix is a manufacturer code. The ones we see most often on refrigerators:
| Prefix | Built by |
|---|---|
| 106 | Whirlpool |
| 253 | Frigidaire (Electrolux) |
| 795 | LG |
Other prefixes exist, and some cover more than one source over the years, so we confirm the maker from the complete model number rather than guessing from the prefix alone. Once we know it, we know the platform, the parts catalog and the usual failure points.
Who owns Kenmore now
The Kenmore name, along with what remained of Sears, was acquired by Transformco in 2019. Kenmore refrigerators are much less common in stores than they once were, but there are a great many still running in Greater Seattle homes, and many have years of life left in them.
What fails depends on who built it
Whirlpool-built (106)
These share hardware with Whirlpool and Maytag refrigerators of the same era. Expect defrost failures, fan motors, water-valve leaks and, on French-door models, ice problems in the fresh-food ice compartment. Our Whirlpool page covers those designs in more depth.
Frigidaire-built (253)
Common in top-freezers, side-by-sides and especially freezers. Typical faults are ice maker and water-valve problems, evaporator fan failures and defrost issues. See our Frigidaire page for the family background.
LG-built (795)
Mostly French-door and bottom-freezer models with more electronics. These are where we see ice-compartment frost buildup, control-board faults and, on some units, compressor problems. Many premium versions were sold as Kenmore Elite.
Kenmore freezers
Kenmore chest and upright freezers were popular for decades, and plenty are still running in garages. Chest freezers are manual defrost and rarely fail apart from the thermostat, start components, lid gasket or compressor. Frost-free uprights add a defrost heater, sensor and fan. If a freezer stops in a cold garage, the room temperature may be the cause rather than a failed part.
Parts and practical service notes
Mechanical parts usually come through the original manufacturer’s supply chain, so availability is generally good. Kenmore-only cosmetic parts are another matter: door bins, shelf trim and handles for older models may be discontinued. We check before quoting, and if a part is gone we tell you up front.
Where to find the model number
It depends on who built the unit. On most Kenmore refrigerators, look inside the fresh-food compartment on an upper side wall or the ceiling; LG-built models often have it on the inside left wall. On chest freezers, check the outside back or an end panel. Make sure you copy the prefix and period exactly.
Kenmore appliances we service
Kenmore refrigerator repair
Kenmore refrigerators span every style, from top-freezers to French-door models, built over the years by several different manufacturers. The same Kenmore badge can sit on very different hardware.
Kenmore freezer repair
Kenmore chest and upright freezers were built by outside manufacturers like the refrigerators. Chest models are mostly manual defrost; frost-free uprights add a defrost system that can fail.
How a Kenmore repair visit works
Call or send a request
We reply within one business hour. We ask what the appliance is doing, the brand and, if handy, the model number from the label inside the door.
Diagnosis in your home
A technician tests the system and finds the actual fault. The visit is $149.
Written quote first
You get the price before any work starts. Go ahead and the $149 is credited toward the repair.
Repair with OEM parts
Common parts are often on the truck. If one has to be ordered, we book the return visit when it arrives. Parts and labor are covered by our warranty.
Kenmore repair FAQ
How do I find out who made my Kenmore refrigerator?
Look at the model number on the rating label. Kenmore model numbers start with a three-digit prefix followed by a period. That prefix identifies the manufacturer: 106 is Whirlpool, 253 is Frigidaire (Electrolux), and 795 is LG, to name three common ones. Read us the whole model number when you call and we can confirm the maker and the parts that fit.
Are Kenmore refrigerator parts still available?
For most units, yes, because the mechanical parts are the same ones the original manufacturer used for its own brand. Fans, valves, defrost parts, ice makers and many boards can be sourced through that manufacturer's parts channels. Kenmore-specific cosmetic parts such as door bins, shelves and trim are harder to find on older models, and some are discontinued.
Is it worth fixing an old Kenmore freezer?
Often, for the simple faults. A thermostat, start relay, fan or door gasket on a chest or upright freezer is a modest repair. If the compressor has failed or there is a refrigerant leak, especially on a chest freezer where the condenser tubing runs inside the cabinet walls, replacement usually makes more sense. We'll tell you which category your freezer is in after the diagnostic.
Related brands
Book a Kenmore repair
Tell us what's going on and we'll call or text you within one business hour (Mon–Sun, 8 AM–8 PM) to set up a time. In a hurry? Call (206) 350-0055 or send a text.
Warm fridge? Let’s get it looked at.
We answer the phone Mon–Sun, 8 AM – 8 PM. Same-day visits are often possible when you call early.