Kenmore 63952 / 63954 / 63956 Electric Dryer

Pros: Great features...I love the model.
Cons: Reliability is terrible.

I have always purchased Kenmore products...until now. Last year (13 months ago) I purchased all Kenmore appliances for my new home. This evening my Kenmore Elite dryer would not operate. The motor would turn only while depressing the start button. ...

Pros: Ability to clean king size comforters and Evenheat minimizes dampness
Cons: Somewhat noisy. Wrinkle Guard gimmicky. Not reliable!

This Kenmore 63952 has served me and my wife well in the two months that we have owned it. It does its job and does not get in the way. I almost always use the Evenheat feature when drying my clothes, which uses two sensors to determine the drying time ...

Pros: Capacity, looks nice
Cons: Short life, costly repairs, noisy

I too purchased this dryer in 2002 and have recently experienced the same symptoms as everyone else... dryer only stays on when start button is depressed. I luckily found a NIB (new in box) even heat electronic control assembly (part # 8546229) from a ...

Pros: dries well (when working), fairly quiet
Cons: unreliable, noisier than expected. Based on sears repair person this is likely to occur again.

I bought this dryer in the end of Aug 2002 and here it is March of 2006, there are two of us and we dry about 2 loads/week. The unit worked flawlessly until it just decided it would not run. You press the start button and everything spins but let go ...

Pros: Same features that others offer.
Cons: Poor electrical design. Probably made in China.

We have the same bad circuit board. Resistor R2 and adjacent capacitor are fried. This one lasted about 2 years.

Have a matching washer. Needed to replace the timer circuit in that too after about 2 years.

Just had a Kenmore (Elite) stove that had a similar problem after 7 months. Fortunately, that was under warranty.

Will try a different brand next time.

Pros: Very happy with dryer performance
Cons: Dryer has defective computer board

My dryer comes on while I push the button, but then turns off once I let go. I did a little research and found that the issue is with the Even Heat Electronic Control Assembly (part number 3978949). That part has been updated by Sears/Whirlpool to part 8546229, probably because of this problem. I called Sears and after about 6 transfers was able to determine from the parts people that there is a "Service Flash" on this dryer for this exact problem. The guy quoted the service flash as reading, "dryer will shut off after start button is released". Apparently, Sears will fix even out of warranty dryers for free if they were manufactured within a certain time period and fall under this service flash. So if you're having this problem, don't let them charge you for it and let them know that you know about this "Service Flash".

Pros: dries well (when working), fairly quiet
Cons: unreliable, alarm not loud enough, lint hard to remove, noisier than expected

I bought this dryer in the end of July of 2003 (Aug. delivery) and here it is March of 2004, only 8 months of light use. I have no kids and one other person. We do about 1-3 loads of normal clothes per week. The unit worked flawlessly until it just decided it would not run. You press the start button and everything spins but let go of the start button and it shuts off again. As a new home owner, I may also reconsider the "new" Kenmore line as well as the service times. (edited)

Update (10/03/2005): the board went out again! same problem 1 year and 1 mth later. I've ordered the new part through pcappliancerepair.com (part #8546229). I paid the 10% for a lifetime warranty. What is not mentioned by the "Service Flash" person is that you still have to pay $65 for a Sears rep to "validate" the Service Flash. Only the part is "free". It also takes about a week for someone to come to the house and THEN order the part. Kenmore will not get my business again.

Pros: I believe this model is now only sold on clearance
Cons: Will require numerous repairs

My Kenmore electric dryer (Model 63952) has been nothing but problems. Within one year of purchase Sears had to repair it 3 times under warranty. We've now had it for just over 2 years and it needs a new motor assembly (a $250-$300 repair) because it shuts off when you release the start button. We didn't buy the extended warranty so I guess we will be buying a new dryer instead.

Pros: easy to use
Cons: broke twice in the 3 years I owned it.

Same problem as everyone else, although my problem is the motor relay, not the control board. Looking for a place to buy the part to replace it myself (thus saving a whopping $62 in labor, but I had to pay the $65 for the 5 minute Sears visit). The technician was nice, but other than that, stay away from this bum product.

Pros: Nice Capacity dryer
Cons: Dryer shuts off when start button is released. Defective part 3978949 requires part 8546229

Here is my comments recently sent to Sears on my experience with the Kenmore Dryer Elite Model 63952:

I purchased the Kenmore Washer 90 Series and the Kenmore Dryer Elite. I have had problems with the dryer from the beginning, but was able to keep using it, as the problems were sporadic.

Recently, I noticed the dryer overheating, and the dryer would not stay on after pressing the start button. After following the directions in Service Technician Trouble Shooting Instructions, I have been able to determine that the Even Heat Electronic Control Assembly is defective, and can only be replaced with an upgraded panel. To me that is a recall "Service Flash". I would greatly appreciate having this part shipped to me this week. The new part no 8546229 is the part that replaces the old part no. 3978949. Please review the following comments by other customers, some comments you may find disturbing for your product reputation, so I feel that it is important that you are aware of what is being said about your Kenmore product.

Pros: big size
Cons: it burns the electronic board when you use the high heating cycle

I've been using the dryer for past 5 years without any problems. Recently it broke - the same problem like everybody else - I pushed the button and it started to run but as soon as I released the button it stopped - the electronic board was burned. It burns the electronic board when you use the "high" heating cycle. Durability is a very weak point when you use the "high heating cycle".

Pros: There is help out there.
Cons: Sears/Whirlpool do not stand by their product and do not address obvious issues. NEVER AGAIN

I want to thank everyone. I recently had the same problem with the start button. I am the least mechanical person around, but we are adopting twins very soon and do not have the extra cash. After finding this board I took the top off- saw that the Heat Control Board had a part that looked burnt out. Order a new part for $91 ( that is with shipping) replaced it (easiest thing ever) and is working like a champ.
THANK YOU

Pros: Great all around when working
Cons: Not Reliable. Expensive to Fix.

Having used Kenmore products all my life I was surprised to find out that my elite dryer stopped working after only one and a half years of light work. We only have two adults in the house and only do between 3 or 4 loads a week. When the start button is pushed it will run but when it is released it stops. Found out that the microcomputer needs to be replaced at well over $200 for parts and labor. I always thought Kenmore's were reliable and have always purchased their product. When I go out to buy a new dryer it will be the first time in over 40 years that I will look at brands other than Kenmore.

Pros: Held a ton of clothes
Cons: inoperable after only 4 years.

We purchased this dryer 4 years ago and it was running great. Then, the infamous "start button" problem plagued our Kenmore Elite dryer. We feel that, with this problem being so common, Sears should take the high road and recall this dryer and/or the part(s) that are causing the machine to be inoperable. It's awful that we cannot depend on high quality, long lasting appliances anymore. Sears should be working towards selling dependable, durable machines--not protection agreements. We all know why a protection agreement has become so popular these days, because the item we are protecting has been made so poorly.

Pros: Worked is expected through the warranty period
Cons: Unexpected breakdown of an electronic part, this is a design fault.

I have been using Kenmore products for over 38 years. They have always been superior in quality. After some mice "did-in" our previous Kenmore dryer of 10 years, we purchased another; a 63952. After the warranty ran out, the dryer computer burned out; part 3976633. Quick to the Inet to google the part. Lo and behold! This is a chronic defect and Sears has not addressed it. It will cost you $130.00 to get the defective part replaced with another defective part. This should be a recall item. Has any one started a class action?