Kenmore water heater? Those (model numbers usually start with 153) use a different code: see Kenmore water heaters on our A.O. Smith guide.
Who makes Kenmore appliances?
Sears didn’t build Kenmore appliances itself. Other manufacturers made them for Sears under the Kenmore name, and the three digits before the dot in the model number tell you which one (Appliance411). Grouped by appliance, the prefixes in the Step 2 table work out like this:
- Refrigerators: Whirlpool (106), Frigidaire (253, 790, 970), LG (795), GE (363) and Amana (596).
- Washers and dryers: Whirlpool (110), LG (796) and Frigidaire (417). Samsung made some washers (402, 592).
- Dishwashers: Whirlpool (665; Appliance411 also lists 110), Frigidaire (587) and GE (363).
- Ranges, cooktops and wall ovens: Whirlpool (664, 665), Roper, a Whirlpool brand (103, 911), and Frigidaire (790, 970). Prefix 362 ranges are disputed between Roper and GE.
- Microwaves: LG (721), Samsung (401) and GE (363).
Basis: Appliance411, electrical-forensics.com and Sears PartsDirect, as listed in the Step 2 table. Some prefixes were used by more than one supplier over the years, so check that the serial fits the maker’s pattern.
Step 1: Find the model and serial label
Kenmore labels sit where the real manufacturer put them, so check the usual spots for that appliance type.
For a Kenmore fridge, Sears PartsDirect says an upper side wall (1, 2), the ceiling (3) or the frame behind the crispers (4), or inside the freezer on some models. Fridge spots by maker
For a Kenmore front-loader, Sears PartsDirect says along the door opening (1). Front-loader spots by maker
For a Kenmore top-loader, Sears PartsDirect says under the lid (1). Top-loader spots by maker
For a Kenmore dryer, Sears PartsDirect says inside the door opening (1) or on the back panel. Dryer spots by maker
For a Kenmore dishwasher, Sears PartsDirect says the tub rim (1, 2) or the inside edge of the door (3), and sometimes behind the kickplate. Dishwasher spots by maker
For a Kenmore range or wall oven, Sears PartsDirect says around the oven door frame (1), or inside the drawer compartment or on the frame behind the drawer (2). Range spots by maker
Basis: Official manufacturer help pages (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, GE, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, Bosch) and Sears PartsDirect for Kenmore. Diagrams are simplified; your model's exact spot can differ.
| Appliance | Where Sears PartsDirect says to look |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Upper side wall inside the fresh-food compartment; along the ceiling; on the frame behind the crisper drawers; inside the freezer on some models |
| Front-load washer | Along the door opening |
| Top-load washer | Under the lid |
| Dryer | Inside the door opening, or on the back panel |
| Dishwasher | Rim of the tub or inside edge of the door; sometimes behind the kickplate |
| Range or wall oven | Around the oven door frame (open the door); inside the drawer compartment or on the frame behind the drawer |
Basis: Sears PartsDirect model-number and Kenmore age guides.
Step 2: Match the model prefix to the real manufacturer
The prefix is the three digits before the dot or space in the model number. In 110.20622991, the prefix is 110.
| Prefix | Built by | Typical products | Decode with | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | Whirlpool | Refrigerators | Whirlpool rule | Appliance411, electrical-forensics, Sears PartsDirect |
| 110 | Whirlpool | Washers, dryers (Appliance411 also lists dishwashers) | Whirlpool rule | All sources agree |
| 664, 665 | Whirlpool | Cooktops, wall ovens (664); dishwashers, ranges, wall ovens (665) | Whirlpool rule | Appliance411, electrical-forensics (one site says 665 is GE; the others disagree) |
| 103, 911 | Roper (a Whirlpool brand) | Cooktops, wall ovens and others | Whirlpool rule | Appliance411, electrical-forensics |
| 596 | Amana | Refrigerators | Depends on the serial style; see below | Appliance411, electrical-forensics |
| 253 | Frigidaire (ex-Gibson line) | Refrigerators, air conditioners | Frigidaire rule | All sources agree |
| 417 | Frigidaire (ex-Kelvinator line) | Laundry and others | Frigidaire rule | All sources agree |
| 587 | Frigidaire (ex-D&M) | Dishwashers | Frigidaire rule | Appliance411, electrical-forensics |
| 790, 970 | Frigidaire | Ranges, refrigerators and others | Frigidaire rule | All sources agree |
| 795 | LG | Refrigerators | LG rule | All sources agree |
| 796 | LG | Washers, dryers | LG rule | Appliance411, Sears PartsDirect |
| 721 | LG (ex-Goldstar) | Microwaves | LG rule | All sources agree |
| 363 | GE (Appliance411 also lists LG) | Dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves | GE rule | Appliance411, electrical-forensics, Sears PartsDirect |
| 362 | Disputed: Roper or GE | Ranges | Check the serial style | Appliance411 says Roper; electrical-forensics says GE |
| 401, 402, 592 | Samsung | Microwaves (401); washers (402, 592) | Samsung rule | Appliance411; Sears PartsDirect for 402 |
“All sources agree” means Appliance411, electrical-forensics.com and the other Kenmore prefix references checked for this page all give the same maker.
Step 3: Decode the serial with that maker’s rule
| Maker | Where the date sits in the serial | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool, Roper | Year character right after the 1–2 letter plant code, then a 2-digit week | Digits: 2010s (or 1970s/1980s on very old units); K, L, M, P, R, S, T, U, W, Y: 2000s; X and A–J: 1990s or 2020s |
| Frigidaire | 3rd character = last digit of the year; 4th–5th = week | 10 years |
| LG | 1st digit = last digit of the year; 2nd–3rd = month | 10 years |
| GE | 1st letter = month; 2nd letter = year | 12 years |
| Samsung | 15 characters: 8th = year, 9th = month. 11 characters: 4th = year, 5th = month | 20 years |
| Amana / Maytag legacy | Serial ends in two letters: year, then month | 24 years |
Each maker’s page has the full code table. This page only tells you which one to use.
Amana-built 596 models: if the serial ends in two letters, use the Maytag legacy rule. If it starts with letter + letter/digit + week digits, use the Whirlpool rule. Sears PartsDirect describes 596 serials as a year digit followed by a two-digit week, so check which pattern your serial actually shows. The Amana section of the Maytag guide covers both formats.
Kenmore Coldspot and model 106 refrigerators
Coldspot was Sears’ own refrigerator name. It debuted in 1928, and in about 1977 Sears decided to replace it with Kenmore on all its refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners (Sears Archives). For dating, the model number matters more than the name on the door. If it starts with 106, Whirlpool built the refrigerator, so read the serial with the Whirlpool rule: the character after the one- or two-letter plant code is the year, and the next two digits are the week.
Documented example: Kenmore refrigerator, model 106.9712611, serial EB1719162. E is the plant, B is the year (1992 or 2022) and 17 is the week, which falls in late April. electrical-forensics.com documents this unit as built in the 17th week of 1992, so here the older reading is the right one.
Worked examples
- Model 110.91278100 washer, serial CB2501800 (a documented unit). Whirlpool built it. C is the plant, B is the year (1992 or 2022) and 25 is the week, so June. electrical-forensics.com documents it as built in the 25th week of 1992.
- Model 110.xxxxxxxx washer, serial RA01xxxx. Whirlpool built it. R is the plant, A is the year and 01 is the week. Sears PartsDirect reads this as the first week of 1991 or 2021.
- Model 106.xxxxxxxx refrigerator, serial FM644xxxx. FM is a two-letter plant code, 6 is the year and 44 is the week. Sears PartsDirect’s reading: week 44 of 1986 or 2016. For a fridge on today’s used market, 2016 is the likely one.
- Model 795.7xxxxxxx refrigerator, serial 512xxxxx. LG built it: 5 is the year and 12 is the month, so December 2015 or December 2025.
- Model 253.xxxxxxxx refrigerator, date digits 823. Frigidaire built it: 8 is the year and 23 is the week, so June of a year ending in 8, most likely 2008 or 2018 (Sears PartsDirect’s example). On Frigidaire serials that begin with two letters, these digits are the 3rd to 5th characters.
Real serial numbers, decoded
CPSC’s 2005 dishwasher recall printed a Kenmore serial range, FR2200000 to FR4599999, next to the model prefixes and sale dates. Read through the prefix-then-maker method, its last serial lands in late 2004.
| Serial | Appliance | How it reads | Built | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR4599999 | Kenmore under-counter dishwasher, model starting 665.143, 665.160, 665.163, 665.170 or 665.173 | Prefix 665 = Whirlpool, so Whirlpool’s rule: F = plant; R = 2004; 45 = week 45 | November 2004 | CPSC recall 05-123: last serial in the Kenmore range |
Basis: official (CPSC recall 05-123 names Whirlpool as the maker and says these Kenmore dishwashers were sold from June 2004 through January 2005); the reading is ours. The serial is the top of the recalled range, not one documented unit, and CPSC notes that not every dishwasher in the range was included. Sears PartsDirect’s Kenmore guide reads R as 2005; the CPSC sale dates, from June 2004, rule that out.
The decade problem
Every maker’s code repeats, so a Kenmore serial usually leaves two plausible years. Settle it with:
- The full model number. Search it in Kenmore’s manual finder or on Sears PartsDirect. The manual’s print date should be close to the build year.
- Paperwork. A Sears receipt, delivery ticket or protection-agreement record.
- The unit’s design. Controls and styling from decades apart look very different.
What the age means for a used Kenmore
Once you have a year, compare it with typical service life for refrigerators, washers, dryers or dishwashers. Knowing the real maker also matters for repairs. Parts sites look up Kenmore parts by the full model number, and the real maker tells you which brand’s service information applies.
Are Kenmore appliances still made?
Yes. New Kenmore appliances are still sold: as of October 2026, Kenmore’s US website lists current refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and its where-to-buy page links to retailers that carry Kenmore products, including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart. The site says Kenmore is a registered trademark of Transform SR Brands LLC.
To date a used Kenmore, go by the model and serial on its own label. If the model number has no three-digit prefix before a dot, the prefix method on this page doesn’t apply (see Limitations).
Limitations
- Some prefixes were used by more than one supplier over the decades (363 and 362, for example). If the serial doesn’t fit the maker’s pattern, the prefix may point to a different supplier for that model.
- If your model number doesn’t start with a three-digit prefix, this method doesn’t apply. Contact Kenmore customer care with the model and serial.
- Kenmore itself doesn’t publish a serial decoder. Sears PartsDirect’s guides decode Kenmore serials by model prefix, using the actual maker’s code.
- The serial date is the build date, not the sale or install date.
Next steps
- Enter the model prefix and serial in the checker above.
- Run a recall check with the full Kenmore model number.
- Use the used appliance buying checklist before you buy.
- Kenmore units were built by other makers, so how old is my washer, how old is my dryer and how old is my refrigerator show each maker’s code side by side.
Checked against the sources below on 26 September 2026; the maker summary, Coldspot, documented examples and current-range sections on 6 October 2026; the real-serial table on 20 October 2026.
