This Laundry Appliance Needs Constant Repairs, According To Repairmen

When you buy a new appliance, you expect it to run without issue for at least a few years. But what happens if it doesn't? Unfortunately, according to some appliance pros, a group of washing machines on the market right now don't last as long as they should. While everyone's experience is different, at least a few of these specialists recommend against buying one specific type of laundry appliance: a Maytag top-load washing machine.

For example, YouTuber Ben's Appliances and Junk says that when it comes to Maytag's top-load washers, he would avoid the current releases, especially the "lower-end" models. Specifically, he cites revisions made by Whirlpool (which has owned Maytag since 2006), saying that these revisions "have resulted in systemic control board failures."

The control board, of course, is how you operate a machine these days, and if there's a glitch or other technical problem, it means you won't be able to run a wash cycle like normal. While in many cases resetting the control board (like you would a computer) will solve the issue; there are times when this won't work, and you'll need to call in a professional to help diagnose and, hopefully, fix the problem.

Another YouTuber, the DuctTape Mechanic, meanwhile, in a video posted in April 2026, also said Maytag's "latest" top-load washer model had potential mechanical problems. To explain, he takes us underneath the machine, and says that there's a "pinch point" in the wiring harness, "between the drum and the back of the washer, that basically begins to cut the wiring harness." The wiring harness of an intelligent washing machine is what controls the control board, motor, sensors, signals, and overall operation. If its connections are at all compromised, such as by weak contact, the machine will fail.

As of this writing, the Maytag Deep Fill High Efficiency Agitator Large (4.5 Cubic Foot) Top-Load Washer at the Lowe's website has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from nearly 23,800 reviews. However, when you search for "control board," this rating goes down to 2.9 stars from 355 reviews. While 42% of these customers recommend the product, another 41% give it one or two stars.

On Facebook, meanwhile, there's a public group called the "Maytag washer warning page," where customers discuss their experiences with the brand's washing machines. It isn't specifically dedicated to the brand's top-load washers, but several posts include complaints about these products. One, for example, dated March 7, 2026, includes a picture of a top-load washer and shares: "When I do not use it for a week, I have to manually unplug it for about 10 minutes to reset everything." That said, in response to this post, another user said they have the same washer, have had it for a year, and, "So far no problems," but said that they get nervous when they read posts about the potential issues.

And so while you shouldn't totally discount any brand if you're shopping for a new washing machine, maybe consider a Maytag front-load washer instead of a top-load model for now, given the comments about the latter. For example, the Maytag High Efficiency Stackable Front Load (4.8 Cubic Foot) Washer recently ranked among the brand's top washing machines, according to customer reviews. (Check out our article on front-load vs. top-load washers, and learn about which washing machine brand is the most reliable for 2026.)