The Kenmore 4027 is now a CR Best Buy.
During our testing of the new Kenmore 4027 and LG WM2050CW front-loaders, both made by LG, our technicians discovered that with certain settings the rinse cycles on some tested models didn't work properly.
When we published the ratings for the Kenmore 4027 (shown), Sears, which sells this model, contacted LG Electronics USA about its fair washing score in our tests. LG determined that a software glitch caused both a skipped rinse cycle and lackluster washing performance. Sears and LG say the software has been reprogrammed on all the units in their warehouses and so far have updated the software on half of the models in use. The software update added about 10 minutes to the entire normal wash cycle we use for testing. (Read "
Sears Acts to Correct Software Problem on Some Kenmore Front-Loaders" and "
Déjà Vu All Over Again: LG WM2050CW Front-Loader Appears to Have Similar Software Glitch as the Kenmore 4027" for more details on this software problem.)
During our tests of the updated front-loaders, we found that the rinse cycles now work properly. The Kenmore 4027, $800, excelled in most areas of this latest round of testing, including washing, and is now our top-rated front-loader and a CR Best Buy. The LG WM2050CW, $700, was very good at washing and excelled in most other tests this time around, earning an excellent overall score and also a CR Best Buy.
If you own a Kenmore 4027 or an LG WM2050CW (or a Kenmore 4044, Kenmore Elite 4051, Kenmore Elite 4219, or one of several other related Kenmore models), be on the lookout for a letter from Sears or LG to arrange for a free service call. To find out whether you own an affected model, call 800-733-2299 (Kenmore) or 800-243-0000 or 888-542-2623 in Canada (LG).
—Kimberly Janeway Essential information: When you're in the market for a new washing machine, check out our
free buyer's guides to washers and our continuously updated ratings of
front-loaders and
top-loaders (available to
subscribers). And remember, you might be able to save some money by taking advantage of a
rebate through the $300 million cash for clunkers for appliances program.
