Kenmore is not a manufacturer — it is a brand name. Sears sold Kenmore appliances for decades, and millions of them are still running in homes across Lubbock. But Kenmore never built anything. Every Kenmore appliance was manufactured by another company: Whirlpool, LG, Electrolux, GE, and others. The brand name went on the front, but the engineering and parts came from someone else.
This matters for repair because diagnosing and fixing your Kenmore depends entirely on who actually made it. The first three digits of the model number tell us which manufacturer built your unit. Once we identify the actual manufacturer, we service your Kenmore the same way we would service the parent brand — with the same parts, the same diagnostic approach, and the same repair procedures.
We repair all Kenmore appliance models, including Kenmore, Kenmore Elite, and Kenmore Pro lines. If you have a Kenmore appliance that needs service, all we need is your model number and we can tell you exactly who made it and what to expect.
How to Identify Who Made Your Kenmore
The first three digits of your Kenmore model number identify the manufacturer. Here are the most common prefixes we see in Lubbock:
- 110 — Whirlpool (by far the most common; washers, dryers, dishwashers)
- 106 — Whirlpool (refrigerators)
- 665 — Whirlpool (dishwashers)
- 795 — LG (refrigerators)
- 796 — LG (washers and dryers)
- 253 — Electrolux/Frigidaire (freezers and refrigerators)
- 363 — GE (ranges and ovens)
- 417 — Alliance Laundry (older commercial-style washers)
If your model number starts with 110, 106, or 665, your Kenmore was built by Whirlpool. If it starts with 795, LG built it. This is not a guess — these manufacturer codes are standardized and have been used for decades.
Common Kenmore Failures
Kenmore (Whirlpool-made) washer not draining. The most common Kenmore washer we see is the 110-prefix top-load model built by Whirlpool. These develop the same failures as their Whirlpool counterparts — lid switch failure, drain pump clogs, shift actuator problems, and timer issues. Parts are widely available and affordable.
Kenmore Elite (LG-made) refrigerator not cooling. The 795-prefix Kenmore Elite French door refrigerators are manufactured by LG and use LG's linear compressor technology. These are subject to the same compressor failure pattern documented in our LG repair page. LG extended the compressor warranty to 10 years on many of these units, and some Kenmore-branded LG refrigerators qualify for that coverage.
Kenmore (Whirlpool-made) dryer not heating. The 110-prefix Kenmore dryers share the same platform as Whirlpool dryers. Common failures include the heating element, thermal fuse, gas valve solenoid (on gas models), and cycling thermostat. These are well-understood repairs with inexpensive parts.
Kenmore dishwasher not cleaning or not draining. The 665-prefix Kenmore dishwashers are Whirlpool-built. We see clogged chopper blades, failed drain pumps, and worn wash pump motors. On newer models, the control board can also fail.
Kenmore (Frigidaire-made) freezer running warm. The 253-prefix Kenmore freezers are built by Electrolux/Frigidaire. Common issues include thermostat failure, evaporator fan motor failure, and frost buildup from a failed defrost timer or defrost heater.
Model Notes
Kenmore Elite was the mid-premium line and used more advanced features from its parent manufacturers. Kenmore Elite refrigerators with the 795 prefix (LG-made) often have smart cooling systems, multiple evaporators, and linear compressors. Kenmore Elite washers with the 796 prefix (LG-made) use direct-drive motors. The Elite line requires the same diagnostic approach as the corresponding LG or Whirlpool premium models.
Kenmore Pro was the top-tier line, primarily kitchen appliances. These were manufactured by Electrolux and featured professional-style design elements. The Kenmore Pro line is less common in Lubbock but we do see them occasionally.
Since Sears filed for bankruptcy and most Sears stores have closed, getting "Kenmore service" through official Sears Home Services has become more difficult and expensive. Many homeowners in Lubbock have found that local repair shops like ours are faster, more affordable, and just as capable — because we are servicing the same underlying Whirlpool, LG, or Frigidaire components regardless of the Kenmore badge on the front.
Field Examples
A homeowner called about their Kenmore Elite French door refrigerator that was running warm. The model number started with 795 — LG-made. We diagnosed a failed linear compressor, confirmed the unit was still within LG's 10-year compressor warranty window, and helped the customer navigate the warranty process. The compressor was replaced under coverage.
We serviced a Kenmore top-load washer (110 prefix, Whirlpool-made) that was filling with water but would not agitate or spin. The shift actuator had failed — the same exact part and failure we see on Whirlpool Cabrio and Maytag Bravos washers. Replaced the shift actuator and the washer was running full cycles again within 30 minutes.
Repair vs Replace
Kenmore appliances are almost always worth repairing because parts availability is excellent. Your Kenmore uses the same parts as whatever brand actually manufactured it — Whirlpool, LG, Frigidaire, or GE. Those parts are widely stocked and reasonably priced.
The main question with older Kenmore appliances is age versus repair cost. A 15-year-old Kenmore washer that needs a $250 transmission rebuild is probably not worth it. A 7-year-old Kenmore Elite refrigerator that needs a $150 fan motor absolutely is. We will tell you where the line is for your specific situation.
One thing to be aware of: since Sears is no longer operating most stores, you cannot easily walk into a store and compare Kenmore replacements anymore. If your Kenmore dies and you are looking at replacements, you are essentially shopping for a Whirlpool, LG, or Frigidaire under a different name — and you can buy those brands directly now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually makes Kenmore appliances?
Kenmore appliances are manufactured by other companies including Whirlpool, LG, Electrolux/Frigidaire, and GE. The first three digits of your Kenmore model number identify the actual manufacturer. For example, 110 is Whirlpool, 795 is LG, and 253 is Frigidaire.
Can you still get parts for Kenmore appliances?
Yes. Kenmore parts are the same as the parts used by the parent manufacturer. A Kenmore washer with a 110 prefix uses Whirlpool parts. A Kenmore refrigerator with a 795 prefix uses LG parts. Parts availability is not an issue for most Kenmore models.
Is my Kenmore Elite refrigerator covered under the LG compressor warranty?
Many Kenmore Elite refrigerators with 795-prefix model numbers are LG-made and may qualify for LG's extended 10-year compressor warranty. We can check your model number during the service call and advise whether your unit is covered.
Is it worth repairing my Kenmore if Sears is closed?
Sears closing has no impact on the repairability of your Kenmore appliance. The parts come from the actual manufacturer (Whirlpool, LG, etc.), not from Sears. Local repair shops like ours can service Kenmore appliances using the same parts and procedures as the parent brand.
How do I find my Kenmore model number?
The model number is on a sticker or plate typically found inside the door frame (refrigerators), under the lid or on the back panel (washers), inside the door or on the frame (dryers), or inside the door or on the side wall (dishwashers). The model number usually starts with three digits followed by a period or dash.
Need Kenmore appliance repair in Lubbock? Call (806) 730-6300 or Schedule a Repair. We will identify who actually made your Kenmore and service it accordingly. Every repair where we replace a part comes with our 365-day warranty.
Related Service Pages
- Whirlpool & Maytag Repair in Lubbock — Most Kenmore appliances are Whirlpool-manufactured
- LG Repair in Lubbock — Kenmore Elite refrigerators and washers with 795/796 prefixes are LG-made
- Frigidaire Repair in Lubbock — Kenmore freezers and refrigerators with 253 prefixes are Frigidaire-made
- Appliance Repair in Lubbock, TX — Full list of brands and services
We service all Kenmore appliances across Lubbock — from Kenmore refrigerators and washers to dryers, ovens, and dishwashers. Schedule a repair online — same-day and next-day appointments available.

