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Sears review: bad odor coming from back of unit when running & fan is on. 133

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4:09 pm EST
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We purchased a 3-door Sears Kenmore Elite w/bottom freezer w/ in- door icemaker&water dispenser on May 31, 2010. This was a new 2010 model. In the middle of Nov. 2010 we smelled a terrible odor coming from the back of the unit when it was running & the fan was on. After a week or two of it smelling, we called Sears repair to have them check it out. Before the repairman could get here, it stopped smelling, so we cancelled the service call. Well, a few weeks later it started to smell again, not as strong this time. It would come and go.
We called Sears repair again and they came to look at it 1/18/11. It was not smelling at the time. They removed the back motor cover, everything was clean. No determination for what it was. Again this morning, 1/23/11, we wake up to a terrible odor again. Smelling up the whole kitchen! Once again we have an appointment for service on 1/25/11. Does anyone know what this could be? It smells awful!

Oct 25, 2012 11:43 am EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

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Good afternoon justseekinghelp,

I saw your post today and wanted to reach out to you to offer our assistance. My name is Mike and I am a member of the Sears Social Media Support team. Please accept our apologies for the trouble that you encountered with your refrigerator. It is always frustrating when you run into trouble with your refrigerator, as it stores your food, drinks, and medicines. While it appears that this issue has been resolved, we would like to connect you with a dedicated case manager to further discuss your experience and ensure that your refrigerator is working as it should be. At your convenience, please send us an e-mail containing your preferred contact information, including the phone number that your repair appointment was scheduled under, to SMAdvisor@searshc.com. Also, please include your screen name, (justseekinghelp), for reference to your issue. Thank you for your time and we hope to speak with you soon.

Thank you,

Mike D.
Sears Social Media Support
May 03, 2013 1:33 pm EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

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Liss242,
My name is Liz and I am a member of the Sears Social Media Support team. I am truly sorry for the troubles you have experienced with your refrigerator. I can understand how disappointed you may feel and we do apologize for falling short of that mark in this instance. We would like to contact you and further discuss your recent experience and see if there is anything we can do to make this right. At your convenience please contact our office via email at smadvisor@searshc.com so you don’t have to be upset by this any longer. In the email please provide a contact phone number and the phone number the refrigerator was purchased under (if different than the contact phone number) and we will call you directly. In addition, please include your screen name (liss242) in the email for reference to your issue. Again, we’re sorry for any trouble we have caused and we hope to talk to you soon.

Thank you,

Liz R.
Social Media Moderator
Sears Social Media Support
Jun 07, 2013 2:51 pm EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

Website
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MerriDee,
We are terribly sorry for the aggravation surrounding your refrigerator. My name is Liz and I am with the Sears Escalations team. We can truly understand your frustrations with the drip pan filling up within three days. We would like the opportunity to speak to you and see how we can get this resolved. Please send the following information – contact #, screen name (MerriDee), phone # used at time of purchase to smadvisor@searshc.com. Again, we’re sorry for any inconvenience we have caused you and we look forward to speaking to you soon.

Thank you,
Liz R.
Social Media Moderator
Sears Social Media Support
Jun 10, 2013 12:54 pm EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

Website
File a complaint Write a review
View all Sears contacts
Dear MomSonya,

My name is Trent and I am with the Sears Cares Team. Please accept our apologies for the difficulties you are having with your refrigerator. We can certainly understand the inconvenience you are facing and would like to assist in resolving this situation any way we can. We can connect you with a dedicated case manager that can work with you to ensure your concerns are addressed. At your earliest convenience please send the following information – contact #, the name and phone # used at time of purchase, as well as the screen name that I have assigned to reference your post (MomSonya), to smadvisor@searshc.com. We look forward to speaking with you.

Thank you,

Trent A.
Social Media Moderator
Sears Social Media Support
Aug 28, 2013 5:26 pm EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

Website
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View all Sears contacts
Dear Small Town Girl,
My name is Trent and I am with the Sears Cares Team. We are terribly sorry to hear of the troubles you have been experiencing with your refrigerator. From your post, we can certainly understand why you would be frustrated with not being able to remove the drip pan. We would like the opportunity to assist you by connecting you with a dedicated case manager who will work with you to resolve this unfortunate situation quickly and to your complete satisfaction. At your earliest convenience please send the following information – contact #, the name and phone # used at time of purchase, as well as the screen name that I have assigned to reference your post (small town girl), to smadvisor@searshc.com. We look forward to speaking with you.

Thank you,

Liz R.
Social Media Moderator
Sears Social Media Support
Apr 16, 2014 2:48 pm EDT
Sears customer support contacts
Address

3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60179, US

Website
File a complaint Write a review
View all Sears contacts
PLANTNERD,

We thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. My name is Liz and I am a member of the Sears Cares Escalations team. We certainly can see why you are so frustrated and upset over what has occurred with your refrigerator. We would be happy to connect you with one of our dedicated case managers to contact you and address your concerns. Please send the following information – contact #, screen name (PLANTNERD), phone # used at time of purchase to smadvisor@searshc.com. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you and look forward to speaking with you.
Thank you,

Liz R.
Social Media Moderator
Sears Social Media Support
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.

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133 comments
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Karen Lingar
, US
Jul 11, 2022 2:36 pm EDT

U bought a Kenmore 2008 fridge the smell started few years ago it would come and go but now it’s so bad it’s making us sick causing health problems! I bought a Kenmore washer and dryer set did same thing on the washer it was in a lawsuit I only got 50 dollars after paying them thousands of dollars Kenmore needs to be suit or give an option for replacement!

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Karen Lingar
, US
Jul 11, 2022 1:39 pm EDT

What was reason for the smell

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Major oder
, US
Jun 24, 2020 5:47 pm EDT

Major problem with odor in kenmore elite refrigerator. after reading the posts i'm just going to reach out to the sears care media mediator.
Help!

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Alex v80
, US
Feb 15, 2021 1:59 am EST
Replying to comment of Major oder

We have a stainless steel bottom freezer, Dual top door, kenmore elite freezer. Sake problem. I had to open the bottom back panel (after unplugging it) and totally clean out the drain pan. It was full of sludge that smelled like sewage. We had the fridge less than 2 years so that’s how long it took to get to that point. The manual doesn’t address it as a maintenance item, and there is no easy way to do it. Terrible design

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Linda 123
, UY
Mar 14, 2020 3:53 pm EDT

I have a 2017 model and I'm having a dead mouse smell now for three weeks cleaned everything inside and out, took off the panels and vacuumed under and behind, not finding anything in the drip pan or anywhere else. They want 99 dollars to do a service call, to Tell me what? They don't know!

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Jojo304
, US
Mar 21, 2020 9:11 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Linda 123

We just started having the same smell today! It is horrible! I read on this string of posts that someone else suctioned the liquid out of the drip pan with a turkey baster. After they got the gross liquid out they put in a solution of baking soda and vinegar and let that set for a few minutes. They then suctioned that out. After suctioning the soda and vinegar solution out I dried the compartments out with a paper towel and cleaned them with a clorox wipe. Once they did that they used the turkey baster to put bleach in the compartments of the drip pan and let it set over night. We just did all of the above and are letting it set over night. It already smells 99% better so I'm hopeful that this will eliminate the smell completely.

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Darla Armstrong
, US
May 24, 2019 11:34 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Oh my goodness! I so wish I would have looked into this fridge before I purchased it. I have been going crazy with a horrible smell in my house since I bought this blaming the smell on my old fridge so I got rid of it and then my dryer only to realize it was my new fridge. I just called the warranty and they say smell issues are not covered by the coverage. So just curious what to do and how often you all have to clean it? Repair man is coming in 2 weeks so I'll see what he says. Live and learn to check things out online before purchasing something. Not a cheap fridge! Thanks for all your comments.

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Rita-Pammy Brar
, US
Apr 27, 2019 12:37 pm EDT

This worked for us! Simple solution. We used the huge kitchen bulb syringe to suck out all the nasty drippings and super dirty drippings from the pan. Then we made a solution of baking soda & vinegar and rinse the driiping pans multiple times and use the syringe to suck out again until it was all clear and then we finally pour liquid bleach in the dripping pans and left it over night. And next day use the synringe again to suck it all out. Done! No more nasty smell. That did the magic! Or at least it worked for us very well. Removing the dripping pans were impossible so easy solution was this. I hope it works for yall.

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tfenton
, US
Jan 26, 2019 8:06 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have the same issue with a six month old Kenmore. Smells like something died underneath it, I can't access anything to bleach it out or clean the drain pan. As with some other posters here, I am more than an hour from the nearest service provider. After seeing how obvious it is that these products are improperly built and the failure to be willing to correct the manufacturing by Sears I wlil be throwing out my fridge and doing a whole lot more research before I buy a brand that won't stink me out of my kitchen. No more Kenmore products for me, in fact no Sears anything. A six month old fridge that can't be used due to idioticly poor design is inexcusible.

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Discouraged Mother
, US
Jan 18, 2019 5:41 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Has anyone found a solution for this problem? My Kenmore Elite is not quite 2 years old. A few weeks ago I noticed an overwhelming sweet smell coming from the area by my refrigerator. Thinking a mouse got stuck underneath and died, we pulled it out, jacked it up (to see if anything was stuck underneath somehow) and found nothing. I took off the back panel and the drip pan was DISGUSTING! There was a thick mold cheese in the drip pan. I could not figure out anyway to get the drip pan out, so I googled it and found that it can’t be taken out (WHO CAME UP WITH SUCH A STUPID DESIGN?). I sucked it all out with a shop vac, poured hot water in there and let it sit awhile to loosen anything that didn’t come out the first time. I vacuumed that out and used some long skinny cleaning brushes I had and cleaned the best I could. I then filled the drip pan with 50/50 hot water & bleach and let sit for 30 minutes. I vacuumed this out and repeated the bleaching a 2nd time. By the time I was done, the smell was fading so I thought we’d gotten it taken careful of. Next morning I walked into my kitchen and was immediately hit with that nasty smell. We pulled it out again and checked the drip pan. Nothing. I unplugged refrigerator, pulled out freezer compartments and sprayed bleach solution into the drain for what I’m assuming is how the freezer gets rid of any condensation from defrosting the freezer. The smell seemed to be gone, so I reassembled the freezer compartments and plugged the unit back in. A couple hours later the smell was back just as strong. I am assuming that the smell is coming from a fan. When I have unplugged the unit, the smell dissipates, but comes back after it has been running for awhile again. I have tried to ignore the smell for a couple weeks now hoping that maybe it would just dry out and go away. It is not working and I am gagging every time I get anywhere near my kitchen. I have tried to call sears to talk to someone and find out if there’s anything more I can try, but I cannot talk to a service professional. I have to make a home service call appointment. I live over an hour away from the closest sears service representative. This is a ridiculous designed refrigerator when a drip pan in not removable, and horrible customer service. I feel like sears is only out to get money, not take care of their customers. I sure would appreciate any feedback from anyone with suggestions! I am ready to kick this stinky thing out the door.

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Discouraged Mother
, US
Jul 18, 2019 8:56 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Update:
The bad smell did go away after a few days and I thought maybe the problem fixed itself. It didn’t. It was fine for a few weeks and then the rancid smell came back strong as ever. At this point I moved the refrigerator outside on the deck where I can’t smell it and put an older, smaller refrigerator in my house.

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Kimily Batiste
, US
Dec 24, 2018 4:40 pm EST

I have a bad odor coming from my new refrigerator. I called Sears to get an appointment and was told to pull my refrigerator out and clean the filters with my vacuum cleaner. Mind you, I have paid for an extended service at the time I purchased the refrigerator (which both were costly). I asked to have a technician come out and was told the first appointment was more than 3 weeks from now. I'm suppose to smell this awful smell (similar to a dead animal) for more than three weeks before someone can come out to take a look at it. No wonder Sears is struggling. I have been a faithful consumer of Sears appliances for years but after my experience with the customer service representative and the smell (had to cancel Christmas at my house year because of the smell), this is my last purchase that I will make with them. Also, with the new refrigerators, they have you either sign up and purchase in store, filters for the refrigerator (that are also costly). In incurring this type of expense, I feel their service could be a lot better.

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DrDana
, US
Sep 26, 2018 12:44 pm EDT

We got a Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator a few months ago. Started smelling a few weeks ago. It was replaced by Sears with the same model. Replacement has the same problem. It smells up the kitchen and living room. Any unsealed food absorbs the smell/taste.

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volqueto
, US
Sep 12, 2018 2:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same problem...bought in 2015, Sears Kenmore Elite fridge, two doors with a bottom freezer. Called for 3 different things in 3 years and now we have this problem about the smell. I don't know if I called they will do something about the smell.

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Ctmj
, US
Sep 14, 2018 1:22 pm EDT
Replying to comment of volqueto

Call, and don't stop calling. They have done this to people for too long.

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Ctmj
, US
Sep 04, 2018 3:58 pm EDT

Its not blood. Its not a mouse. It is a defect in the product that sears will not address. The standard answer is "I have never heard of this".

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Ctmj
, US
Sep 14, 2018 2:58 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Ctmj

This is making me physically ill.

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#gutgaggingsmell
, US
Sep 01, 2018 7:03 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same problem.. smells like a dead mouse. I unscrewed the back of the refrigerator and cleaned what I could searching for that dead mouse NOTHING.! Poured bleach set out baking soda and only temporary results. The smell is making our family sick to our stomachs. I cant believe years and years of the same problem and Sears or Kenmore does nothing... #gutgaggingodor

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Madfridgeowner
, US
Jan 26, 2018 6:59 am EST

Same problem on a 2017 dutch door sears kenmore fridge with freezer slideout on bottom. The [censor] still have not fixed the engineering. Cant remove drip pan. No wonder sears going bankrupt. Wont buy a kenmore again. They have had at least 7 years to fix this and have not.

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odorousinohio
, US
Nov 11, 2017 1:46 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My Husband and I too are experiencing this gross smell from under the fridge. We have had our fridge for six years and never had a problem until the drip pan froze and my husband had to clean it out due to water leaking all over the floor from the pan overflowing over the frozen part. The gross sludge that came out of the pan and the tube to the pan sounds about on par with everyone else's issues. I am pregnant with our first child and the smell is literally making me sick on a daily basis as it smells like dirty gym socks or gross stinky shoes. It is definitely coming from under the fridge and when the fan is on it is more noticeable. We have tried pouring bleach into the drip pan three times. This would mask the smell for a couple days and then it is back. We have tried natures cure orange in it and still it persists. Finally poured odor eliminator into pan and still it smells like dirty socks. When I walk in our house it's the first thing I smell. I can hardly cook dinner in the kitchen or sit in our living room without first lighting candles because the rancid smell just makes my stomach churn. I know I am super sensistive with smells anyways and being pregnant it is even worse. I would be so grateful if anyone could suggest how to get rid of this smell. Otherwise my poor husband is going to have to replace a perfectly working fridge because his pregnant wife can't handle the smell permeating from the bottom. Sigh. Please help before my husband up and leaves me because this pregnant hormonal wife complains on a daily basis about how horrible the house, kitchen and specifically fridge smells!

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John Morales
, US
Nov 03, 2017 9:02 pm EDT

Unbelievable! It took two weeks to figure out where the smell was coming from and it was my Kenmore elite. Elite smell all right! I'll be damn if I'm going to put up with this refrigerator from Sears! I had guest over and this was embarrassing and now I'm going to tell everyone on God's green earth not to buy a Kenmore elite from Sears. I'm glad this complaint board is available because this is the start of many complaints from me.

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Leslie7
, CA
Oct 17, 2017 8:12 pm EDT

I too have a Kenmore refrigerator, small model, for a second fridge that has been stinking apparently. The fowl smell was coming from the basement where the fridge is, but I thought that it was the drain in the basement floor, then I thought it was the laundry tub that hadn't been used very often, and that the s trap had dried out and was letting the sewar smell come up. I put water down both drains, aired the basement out today, and but the smell is still there. Tomorrow my husband and I will tip the fridge and try to clean the drip pan. This fridge has been stinking for five years now, and I have tried everything. After reading the many comments tonight I think that I have found the culprit. No wonder Sears is about to go out of business. I have an LG as my main fridge and have not had any problems whatsoever, I guess that it's true that you only get what you pay for, but most unfortunately aren't able to spend that much.

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JohnGee
, US
May 28, 2017 10:13 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

SUCCESS IN ODOR REMOVAL. Recently I bought a house that came with a Kenmore French-door refrigerator, 106.[protected], and it had the dead-mouse smell when I opened the refrigerator door. I couldn't see any sign of food that would cause the smell. After about a month, I noticed the coil of plastic tubing in the lower back of the refrigerator side; that is where the drinking water is cooled on its way to the outside dispenser. The coil had reddish-brown spots in between the tubing. I gave the refrigerator side a thorough cleaning with warm water and baking soda, and when I cleaned the plastic coil, the water turned a reddish brown. A day later I can no longer detect the offensive odor. I think the previous owner let blood from meat drip down into the plastic coil, and that was the source of the odor. So, if you have this plastic coil in your refrigerator, you might give it a close look.

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Discouraged Mother
, US
Jan 18, 2019 6:36 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of JohnGee

Most of our complaints are not coming from inside the refrigerator or freezer. The smell is outside of it and smelling up our house. I might be able to bear it if it was just when I opened the unit, but it is permeating the whole living area!

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ColinRecchio
, US
May 09, 2017 11:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Unbelievable! Just found were the horrible oder was coming from in our kitchen! We bought our kenmore elite 3 door bottom freezer under 2 years ago. Horrible smell coming from the back of the unit, I did find it was stinky water in the drip pan that is near impossible to get out to clean!, , we keep ou r fridge very clean and there have been no spills, just old mildu stagnant water in the drip pan.
Our fridge is in a very hard area to get behind . This is absolutely insane to see we are all having the same issue and I have not seen any resolve from sears. Please count me in on any action against sears. This fridge Is still like new and they want to charge alot just to come out here! Even after hearing we have the same problem as so many others. I have bought kenmore products for years..never again, I am not done blasting this unit on social media until I see some sort of resolve of at least acknowledgement..

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cathydor
, US
Apr 15, 2017 11:11 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We purchased a sears kenmore elite french door refrigerator in 2014. now we have the same problem as all of the previous posts. there is a horrible odor coming from the refrigerator, the drip pan is not removable for cleaning. this is a serious health concern, since mold can build in the drip pan. we have always purchased kenmore appliances, but this is the last! if others are interested in filing a class action lawsuit, we are willing to participate.

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dvanover
, US
Apr 13, 2017 3:37 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

That would be great if I could afford it as I'm sure they will charge you every time. Plus make you wait for a 4 hour window for arrival of the tech. I'm beside myself, just don't know what to do about it.

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Stinkyfridge
, US
Apr 12, 2017 9:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same problem. Fridge less than two months old. (2017) going to have service tech's at my house everyday until my warranty is up. This is b.s.

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dvanover
, US
Mar 21, 2017 8:22 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We purchased a Kenmore Elite french door refrigerator with water in the door and in freezer ice maker several months ago. The smell coming from the fridge is horrible. Just like the posts above, it smells like a dead mouse which is impossible since it started smelling almost immediately after installation. It is most strong when the fan runs or you open the doors. I saved and waited a long time to get the right frigde to fit in the small space in our condo kitchen, now I am so dissappointed - can't afford to place a service call, although it doesn't sound like they are much help anyway. Would love to see if anyone has found a solution yet. Sounds like this is a huge problem for Kenmore as some of these posts are 7 years old. I'll never buy another Kenmore/Sears appliance, no wonder they are closing a lot of their stores.

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X_tine
, US
Mar 03, 2017 10:07 am EST

Since Sears has done nothing to resolve this issue does anyone know where I might find a 39x39 plastic drip pan/tray about 1 inch high? I'm sick of my floor boards getting wet and moldy. We have a moisture monitor which alerts us each time it leaks and am keeping track. Will contact Sears service one more time (3rd time) then escalate. Meanwhile, I need to save my floor!

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CMoreland
, US
Feb 28, 2017 11:31 am EST

We are having the exact same thing. Have had multiple technicians come out and have never seen anything like this before. We purchased 3 door Kenmore Elite in 2013. Trying to clean it as best as I can. There needs to be a class action lawsuit. I hope that if there is, everyone on this thread will be contacted to file suit. This is terrible and disgusting.

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spicermom
, US
Feb 13, 2017 5:33 pm EST

We noticed a foul smell, also, in our kitchen a few days ago. I cleaned everything! still smelled it... one of my daughters suggested checking tray under frig. that was it! shew! tray does not remove like it did in the older models we have had. very hard to try to clean. added warm water and bleach, letting it set, then trying to soak it up with paper towels. very bad design. husband is not happy. frig is less than year old. it is a kenmore
Elite bottom freezer refrigerator. have always purchased kenmore appliances. will not buy another one.

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X_tine
, US
Jan 31, 2017 5:56 pm EST

We also have the same problem. foul smelling leakage from somewhere under the fridge on the opposite side of the drip pan. service tech came out twice and said they had never heard of this problem. of course it wasn't leaking at the time but I saved the soaked area rug in a plastic bag so he could get a whiff. no resolution, left the back panel off so we could monitor future leaks. at a loss and wish we'd never purchased this fridge! we are definitely done with sears.

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Ctmj
, US
Sep 14, 2018 12:59 pm EDT
Replying to comment of X_tine

They all seem to say they never heard of this problem.

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SIck of smell Kenmore
, US
Jan 23, 2017 4:49 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have the same problem but I have no idea what it is and mine is just over year old and under warranty but smell wont go away. Im starting with filter and hopefully that helps if not I will be back.

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Stewartchuck56
, US
Jan 18, 2017 9:47 am EST

Older americans working class income bought this beautiful almost new 3 door kenmore... we were thrilled that we could afford this used fridge at such a bargain! then the water started freezing over in the bottom and melting on the floor... then the smell that cannot be found nor fixed but does go away after 2 weeks or so, only to come back on odd occasions. not a bagain, and now people are passing off their defective units onto unsuspecting fellows on account of no recall. you are shameless kenmore... as for my wife and i, l clean out the ice when the floor gets a little wet as best l can, and give thanks that the smell will go away eventually.

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THX Dolby
, US
Dec 18, 2016 5:16 pm EST

-- SOLVED --

I just spent a week trying to figure out what on this very earth was making my apartment smell like strange Martian urine. I searched high and low, especially under the fridge where the smell seemed to be coming from. My initial attempts to locate the source of this horrific odour were in vain. However, I decided to check again under the fridge tonight, and here is what I discovered:

There was a dead mouse in the tray beneath the freezer side of the fridge.

I have no clue how long it was there, but it appears that the fan must have engaged while the mouse was between the two sides of the unit, mortally mounding the plague ridden creature and forcing it to find its final resting place: my refrigerator's drip tray. Then, whenever the fridge fan would engage the putrid scent of death would diffuse throughout my humble abode.

Two litres of bleach, a vacuum bag full of god knows what, and a thorough shower later and here we are, spic and span, smelling about as sterile as a public pool. *Deep Inhale* ahhhhhhhh (No offence to those of you who fought in WWI).

Best regards,

Some Random Bachelor

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YvetteP
, US
Nov 06, 2016 4:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We are having the same problem with our Kenmore side by side refrigerator. It's a chemical smell and permeates not only the refrigerator but all the food, ice & water. We've completely cleaned it out and have baking soda & coffee grounds in bowls throughout. I changed the filter early last month and the red light is already on to be changed again. Normally lasts 6 months. What makes this more frustrating is Sears replaced this 1 1/2 years ago because of years of problems we had with an LG refrigerator that we had a warranty on. All of our food is ruined and no repair person coming until Nov. 15!

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Mrsewbank
, US
Nov 03, 2016 11:44 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We bought our kenmore elite french door
About 2 years ago. we absolutely loved it up until
Last week. we suddenly have the most god awful smell in our kitchen. the best I can describe it smells like rodent urine. it turns my stomach. disgusting! we have never had a problem with rodents in our house. I cleaned under around and inside everything in our kitchen and finally came to the conclusion that it is blowing out from under the refrigerator. so I googled how to clean the dip
Pan-only to find that there is no real way to clean it! and no solution offered from sears. I am really angry. thanksgiving is coming up. no way am I going to be able to have family dinner at my house with it smelling this way! it reeks through out the kitchen and dining room. sometimes into the living room and laundry room too! I am done purchasing anything kenmore! we purchased a new washer/dryer set about the same time as the refrigerator. and the washer has turned out to be just absolute junk too! never again!

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Laurie Haynes
, US
Sep 18, 2016 8:32 pm EDT

As I read all these responses I can not believe that since 2011 there have been the same complaints of stench and kenmore has not fixed it or recalled it. we are now in the same stinky boat as everyone in this complaint string, fairly new kenmore elite - I think 2 year old, 3 days ago started stinking bad I mean like fans blowing, candles lit, can't have anyone in our house. we took the back off and there is no water in the bottom of the drip tray - which we wouldn't be able to change or dump or clean if we wanted to - no rotted food inside and yet here we are, sitting and stewing in our stinky house all weekend long just waiting for monday morning to arrive so we can call sears/kenmore only to probably find out that they will do nothing about it. has anyone successfully gotten sears to replace the stinky fridge? thank you for any assistance - sadly looking at new ones, any suggestions?

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Joel M
, US
Aug 16, 2016 2:43 pm EDT

After wiping down everything again with vinegar/baking soda/water mixture, the smell has been reduced significantly. When the ref is ON and cold, I can't smell anything. But when it is OFF, I can still smell the stench not as bad as before but detectable.

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Joel M
, US
Aug 02, 2016 12:52 pm EDT

I bought a used kenmore bottom freezer 74043 model (2015 model) before I knew about this issue. the unit has been in the storage for 6 months. anyway, for my case it is not the drain pan. the foul smell comes from the inside (ref and freezer). I disassembled everything (bins, rails, wall attachments, vent/wiring covers, etc and washed them and sprayed with clorox with bleach spray. didn't even rinse, just wiped down with paper towels. put activate carbon in containers and open baking soda inside the ref and turned it on. it has been 24 hours that the ref has been running. almost no foul smell anymore but I can still smell the clorox. I hope this fixes the foul smell

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baileytnt
, US
Jun 28, 2016 4:24 pm EDT
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This is a before and after if my drain pan that is non removable ! Sears Kenmore elite 3 door I had to clean the tech wouldn't even test my fridge to see what was wrong !

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baileytnt
, US
Jun 28, 2016 3:08 pm EDT
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How can this be possible sears /kenmore hasn't recalled this product I have a 3 door kenmore elite bottom freezer.. I had a cottage cheese looking substance in my drain pan smells sour. my fridge isnt cooling properly the tech wouldn't even test it due to the smell / the technician had the audacity to say this is burning my throat when you get it cleaned up I will work on it. I ask how do I remove the pan? he says oh you cant remove it without taking the condenser and all the freon out of the fridge. I said so now what.? he says well bleach it or take it outside and hose it out! I said that is not possible. he says you got in the house didnt you! he said until its cleaned out I wont touch it! I said that is why I called to you to see why it is smelling and why is there not just moisture instead of stinky goo! he packs his things and says I am done here! kenmore is ridiculous I have spoken to 16 people. the whole warranty is a sham now! sears I hope your failure is evident when looking at your customers complaints! disappointed in sears and kenmore

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Jacob Page
, US
Jun 02, 2016 6:15 pm EDT

I am having the same problem is started a week ago and I have tore out my ice maker cleaned everything. I can't find the source but mine is a whirlpool model # ed5gvexvd03. I don't k now this smell but i'll tell yah i'd hang dead mice up if they would mask it I think they would smell better. if anyone finds a solution please let me know it isn't the drip pan I promise you that.
jacob j page

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Mac mom
, US
May 31, 2016 8:19 pm EDT
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We have continued to work on the smell. We cleaned out the drip pan. When the refrigerator is unplugged there is no smell. There is no smell inside the refrigerator or freezer, but when plugged back in the smell come from the fan. Sears please figure something out!

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Michelle_ND
, US
May 31, 2016 7:42 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm having the same issue with my Kenmore fridge. I just spoke with Steve at Sears [protected] and he told me that he had never heard of this issue before and perhaps I should clean out my fridge and put in a box of baking soda. Really, Steve? That's your answer? There are 5 plus pages of this same complaint yet he hasn't heard of it? I will never by from Sears or Kenmore ever again!