10 Dishwashers To Avoid Buying, According To Real Customer Reviews

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After spending hundreds of dollars on a dishwasher, you'd ideally want to avoid washing dirty dinnerware and cookware by hand. That's what you'll have to do if your chosen model breaks down unceremoniously, doesn't clean your dishes well, is too small to fit a regular load, or starts leaking all of a sudden. To avoid facing these issues post-purchase, investing in brands with a reputation for manufacturing quality products might help. However, this strategy can backfire sometimes. This is because even the most trustworthy and reliable appliance brands can produce a few lemons and land you in hot water.

So, always go through real customer reviews to avoid exchanging your hard-earned cash for a device that's trouble incarnate. That being said, going through each brand's website and scanning the reviews will take time and effort. In case you aren't up for it (even with the help of an AI tool), we have pinpointed the problematic models across brands after reading hundreds of customer reviews and ratings. Based on our findings, here are the top 10 worst dishwashers you should steer clear of and the reasons why. This list has been arranged from the worst offenders to bad, depending on each unit's percentage of 1-star reviews. Want to understand our methodology better? Go through the paragraph at the end of this article.

Although Whirlpool is one of the most reliable dishwasher brands on the market (according to reviews), avoid buying its Quiet Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Tub. The unit runs quietly, but that's where the advertised claims stop. Several customers complained that this unit is too small to fit a regular load of dishes, forcing them to either run multiple loads or wash the remaining manually. To elaborate, the lower rack can't hold plates upright, and the pegs are too short for tall glasses or cups to stay in place. This causes them to fall over, posing a risk for delicate objects, like wine glasses or fragile china.

Plus, the silverware container in the middle of the bottom rack makes it difficult to position items. The drawer goes off track, too. The upper rack has a weird design, and the spacing is inadequate for regular plates and cookware. Sadly, the one-year limited warranty doesn't cover these. Even though Whirlpool claims its stainless steel tub retains heat, users say they have to dry wet dishes.

The unit has an average star rating of 3.0, with about 32% of users giving it a 1-star rating. One reviewer wrote, "We cannot get our casserole dishes, pots and pans in the trays ... A 9x12 casserole has to lay in the top tray leaving no room for much else. The bottom tray catches on seal around the inside. EVERY night we have half the dishes washing and a sink full of dishes that still need to be washed."

Samsung is one dishwasher brand you should avoid buying. Case in point, its Fingerprint Resistant 53dBA model with Height-Adjustable Rack suffers from multiple issues. This includes long run times (someone posted that their unit takes about four hours to run one cycle) and racks that develop rust only after a couple of months. It also fails to dry dishes even if you generously add rinse aid. Additionally, users claim the adjustable legs tend to fail, leaving the machine unleveled. This affects the door's ability to close and leads to leaks as well.

Some users mentioned the dishwasher is too loud, has a faulty control board, and stops working in a year or two. Given these problems, its one-year warranty on parts and labor feels inadequate. And if you encounter issues during the coverage, don't expect much help from their customer care; the reviews suggest they excel at providing useless advice, like asking someone to not unplug their smoking dishwasher.

With over 125 reviews, this dishwasher has an average star rating of 3.4, courtesy of nearly 30% customers giving it 1 star. A dissatisfied user stated, "3rd time having to get it repaired within a year and i use it once a week. The service at samsung is mixed ... The dishwasher blinks on normal and beeps continually. You have to unplug it. The service guy said everything is plastic and causes it to break easy."

LG's Smart Top Control Dishwasher with 1-Hour Wash & Dry cycle requires multiple repairs and replacements within a few months of purchase. To illustrate, the door leaks water since the corners don't seal well. This may cause floor damage if gone unnoticed. Additionally, reviewers say the ball bearings on the top and second racks fall out. This prevents the door from closing, putting the machine out of commission until you have it repaired.

That wouldn't be too bad if the dishwasher were under warranty (one year for parts and labor, two years for control board, rack, door liner, and tub, and 10 years for the motor), but you'll have to spend money on constant repairs and replacements afterward. In certain cases, the unit stopped working within a few days of installation, forcing the company to replace the faulty models with new ones. However, users shared that the replacements weren't much better and suffered from similar issues.

Although the model has a mere 170 reviews (approximately) on the LG site, it has an average star rating of 3.6 since over 27% of users gave it 1 star. A customer noted, "Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use the dishwasher more than a handful of times, the door won't close, and when it doesn't it doesn't seal correctly and will flood my kitchen. Additionally, the repair service has been here 4 times and they haven't been able to figure out the issues, they continue to replace seals, rails and nothing."

Samsung's Bespoke AutoRelease Smart 42dBA Dishwasher has a third rack to clean more dishes in a single load. Alas, customer reviews suggest this model isn't worth it, with most experiencing issues within a few weeks or months of installation (some after a handful of washes). The worst part, though? Samsung's customer service isn't useful, and several users had problems getting them to raise a ticket for a repair request. Then it's another uphill battle for a brand-approved technician to service the device within the one-year limited warranty period. Customers complained that the manufacturer stopped producing certain faulty parts, like the control board, leaving them stranded with a non-functioning dishwasher.

The unit has an average star rating of 3.6 and has been reviewed over 150 times, with nearly 26% purchasers giving it 1 star. Frustrated with the product, a person shared, "This machine was delivered and installed by Samsung. It worked when demonstrated but 15 minutes after tech left my house machine turned off and would not turn back on. Called support. After a hour on the phone back and forth to different people, determined defective product. Sent to escalation department. They could not authorize a replacement. Have to wait 2 days for an email. Horrible customer service. I haven't even used it!"

LG's Front Control Dishwasher with LoDecibel Operation and Dynamic Dry seems like a good proposition on paper. However, customer reviews suggest it hardly lasts a year or two. Even then, you'll most probably have to get it repaired during this time. Common issues that users experience include the control board display and water pump. Although a few reported they had to get most of the major parts replaced since they broke down. Moreover, there's no guarantee you'll find a technician within LG's service area to fix your broken dishwasher. The one-year warranty doesn't last long, so you'll have to pay for any repairs or parts yourself after the first year.

After being reviewed more than 180 times, the device has an average star rating of 3.3, with nearly 26% of customers giving it 1 star. Relating their experience with the unit, an individual noted, "We bought this dishwasher in Oct 2023 and it stopped working on Christmas Eve 2024 – do not buy this dishwasher unless you want to spend a bunch of money for only 14 months of use ... so of course, 2 months out of warranty, we wasted a ton of our time and money on a hunk of junk ... Very frustrated by this product and the lack of service we've received."

A dishwasher's primary job is to clean and dry your dirty dishes. Sadly, the GE 24-inch Built-In Tall Tub Front Control White model fails. A discontented customer claimed that if you rinse your dinnerware before slotting it into the racks, it'll come out dirtier than before. Plus, you can forget about receiving dry dishes even if you select the heated dry cycle. Not only that, but you'll also have to deal with condensation on the door, its not-so-quiet operation, mold growth, and random malfunctions. Its flimsy plastic interior is also a point of contention as is the rusty layer that develops over the racks within a few years. Considering these significant cons, the one-year limited warranty on the entire appliance feels paltry.

This GE model has garnered over 1,700 reviews with an average star rating of 3.3. Over 25% of users gave it 1 star. Explaining the reason behind their 1-star rating, a user detailed, "It is the worst dishwasher I have ever owned. It is so cheaply made that the was broken when delivered and my plumber discovered it when he installed it ... but the bigger issue is that it cleans poorly and has no heated dryer ... If I had wanted to dry dishes, I could have saved myself the money and not bought a dishwasher."

If you are feeling adventurous, want your appliances to feature-rich, or don't mind investing in off-brand appliances, you may consider bringing a Midea dishwasher home. However, stay away from its 24-inch Top Control Dishwasher with Extended Dry. The most persistent one is the plastic door latch mechanism that breaks during regular use, leaking dirty water on your kitchen floors. The problem is so common that customer service reps don't have to think twice before advising individuals to use a bent coat hanger to fix the issue themselves.

Additionally, users note that the spray arm falls out frequently, especially when adjusting them. And you can forget about receiving clean dishes if you don't rinse them prior to loading them. Although it's covered for two years (limited), reviews suggest that customer service isn't too keen to send technicians to fix a broken dishwasher. Even if they do agree, people have to wait months to get support. Given these issues, buyers often crave the safety of the most reliable dishwasher brand.

Out of over 150 reviewers, 20% of customers gave this model a 1-star rating, bringing its average to 3.7. Recounting their somewhat okay experience with this unit, a user highlighted, "You will be happy for 2 years then you will be strapped with a constantly breaking dishwasher. Hundreds in Repair bills because just out of warranty. Hoses crumble, door hinge breaks, soap dispenser cracks."

Steer clear of GE's 24-inch Top Control Built-In Dishwasher, given the poor quality of materials used and the shoddy workmanship. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with rusty racks, busted door latches, and broken plastic fasteners holding the motor within a couple of months (or days) of installation. The list of problems doesn't end here. This unit suffers from poor drainage as well. This will, in turn, cause water to pool within the tub and bacteria and mold to grow, making it smell rancid. Moreover, the door seals act as a magnet for greasy residue, requiring regular cleanup. Add in the fact that it doesn't clean or dry the dishes well, and you'll have to contact customer service regularly within the one-year limited coverage.

With approximately 1,900 reviews to its name, the dishwasher has an average star rating of 3.7 and has received a 1-star rating from about 19% of customers. Upset by their purchase, an appliance user stated, "Poor quality! I built a new home with this installed and have had issues from day one. The wheels keep breaking and falling off, and the rack brackets are constantly snapping. The overall build quality is terrible."

While you can troubleshoot common error codes on your LG dishwasher, you'll need to contact the brand's customer service for larger problems. And this is what will happen if you buy the 24-inch Wide QuadWash Front Control Dishwasher, as customers stated the motor went out within the 10-year warranty period. Now, this might get you a free part replacement from the brand, but you'll still have to shoulder the service cost, which is usually over $300 (according to the reviews). Even if you don't have an issue forking over this amount, you'll have to wait a while (someone had to wait a month) for the technician to come to your home and replace the faulty motor. If you do it yourself, its warranty will be considered void. People also complain about the dishwasher being loud and quitting after two or three years of service. Drainage is an issue, too, causing leaks and warping the control board.

Around 500 people have reviewed this LG dishwasher on the brand's website, and over 17% of them have given it a 1-star rating, bringing the average rating to 3.7. Detailing their grievances, a user disclosed, "This dishwasher's motor failed after 3 years. The 10-year warranty is a joke – yes, they will send a free motor to a repair company or their contractor, but labor will be $349 minimum. A new dishwasher is $499. So, they are building these to fail with no consequences."

When it comes to dishwashers, Frigidaire is an unreliable appliance brand you should avoid at all costs. In fact, its 24-inch Stainless Steel Tub Dishwasher will turn loading dishes in both the upper and lower racks into a painful chore. Users complain that they can't even fit in bowls properly in the racks. The cups don't stay upright, and the silverware rack sits in the middle of the bottom drawer takes up precious space. Since the spacing between the plate racks is insufficient, you can't fit in a lot of your full-size dishes in one go (even though the manufacturer claims you can fit up to 12 place settings at once). If you try to forcefully fit dirty dishes in, they'll be too close to each other and not get clean. Speaking to customer service doesn't help, either, even when the product is under the one-year warranty period.

Over 12% of buyers (out of the nearly 250 reviewers) have given this dishwasher 1 star. Consequently, it has an average star rating of 3.8. Frustrated with the design issues, a user wrote, "Terrible Upper and Lower Racks for loading dishes. This new machine holds way fewer dishes than the 9 year old Samsung one that was also 24". This is due to very inefficient configuration of BOTH racks. Cannot imagine the racks were designed by anyone who had ever used a dishwasher."

To single out the worst performing dishwashers, we first went through multiple expert review articles and checked out user-first forums, like Reddit, to form a list of the problematic brands. We also made a note of the companies people liked the most. Then, we found each brand's U.S. website and went over each of their models and their ratings. A few brands, such as GE, didn't host reviews on their site, so we took to online retail sites, including Home Depot and Lowe's, to see how they perform in the real world. After we had the number of reviews and average star ratings for all, we started finalizing our list to only include units with at least 100 organic reviews and 10% 1-star ratings.