Viking Refrigerators - Beware!
Pros:
Nice clean look w/other Viking appliances. Runs quietly with little heat output.
Cons:
Unreliable! Can't trust it anymore. Now have world's most expensive Stainless cupboard in kitchen.
The Bottom Line:
Avoid. Unreliable. Dealer unable to service quickly or effectively, doesn't stock parts.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Purchased Viking Professional Series bottom freezer refrigerator in December 2003. Purchased unit because Viking have such a good reputation with their ranges, and unit has a clean, uniform look.
After initial adjustments by dealer (would not cool properly which was blamed on door not being aligned properly) unit worked well for 18 months with the exception of an annoying click whenever the top door was opened. Also some condensation on top seal of freezer door, but learned to live with the resulting mold.
In July 2005 after power went out unit would not restart. Internal fans and light worked OK but compressor did not engage. Reported to dealer who diagnosed that circuit board had failed and new board was needed from Viking.
This is where it starts to get really good:
(i) Technicians copy down model number and order new high volt and low volt boards (2 weeks);
(ii) Technicians arrive with board - wrong part, discover they copied down model number incorrectly, order new boards (2 more weeks);
(iii) Technicians arrive with second batch of boards, not sure how to install them, call Viking and spend 3+ hours in kitchen trying to fit new boards;
(iv) 6:00 p.m. Unit starts working, grudgingly, but takes all night to cool. Technicians advise to report back on Monday.
(v) Saturday night unit sounds alarm (series of 5 beeps). Press Silence key, beeping stops. Repeat every 3 or 4 hours all weekend.
(vi) Monday, technician arrives, diagnoses bent door hinges (how did that happen?). Need to order new hinges (do Viking dealers stock ANY parts?) Beeping continues. If I could lift the thing I would have pushed it off the balcony.
(vii) 2 weeks later (6 weeks now without a fridge) new technician arrives with hinges. Determines that door is not out of line, problem may be side trim is bent. Drills holes in side trim (at this point I am humoring them), cleans unit inside and out, checks everything possible. Discovers (from manual) that 5 beeps indicates defective thermistor in freezer. Replaces thermistor, beeping stops. Unit is now cooling normally.
(viii) Dealer presents bill for $1,400 for repairs and parts. Refuse to pay and argue for 2 months until dealer threatens legal action. Appeal to dealer's parent company - sympathetic noises, but final word is "... well, it's fixed now, isn't it?" Pay bill.
Two months later compressor stops again. Called parent company, who recommend an independent technician (that in itself says a lot). He discovers system is out of gas. Recharges gas, compressor ices up and begins leaking water on floor. Technician contacts dealer as compressors are under warranty for 5 years from Viking. Dealer questions diagnosis and wants to charge for their own tech to come out and verify.
Does Viking have ANY idea of what their customers have to go through?
