No Part for Maytag Neptune Drying Center

This is an old string but the problem still exists. Does anyone know
if a suit was ever filed?
I am going to try to use the re-strung element to see if it works.
I still don't know how many elements are in this darn thing. Is it 1
for bottom and top, it is 3, (top, bottom and steam). Our top stopped
working but the bottom was fine, then the steam went, and then the
bottom after about 5 months.
Someone mentioned something about an engineer in this string, well, I
am an engineer and although I cannot speak for the design and
manufacturing of this dryer I can tell you one thing for sure, the
documentation sucks. I have all the original paperwork and even that
is bad. No wonder the technicians can't fix it.
If anyone has an update please post.

My sister has the same dryer and I finally found a company that will
make new elements. - THANK GOD! Here is their information: J.E.S.
Enterprises, Inc. 805-643-3532. They make elements for electric
stoves. wall ovens and dryers. Here is their e-mail:
toac@sbcglobal.net.
Good luck to all!

For anyone still looking for this, since spring 2009 there has been a
re-string kit for the heating element. The part number is 31001746. It
is something that would need a qualified technician to do. This should
be able to keep this machine drying for quite a few more years. This
is a unique dryer that fills a niche in the market. Not enough were
sold to make it a NEED for the manufacturer to worry about keeping
parts around.

Has anybody taken the heating element out? I had to pull thie whole
dryer apart in order to take out the heating element. After removing
it, it makes me wonder why can't it be fixed. I am sure there is
someone out there with an engineering degree who can easily fix this.
Let me know gusvega99@gmail.com Thanks.

How long has this part been on backorder? Has anyone received the
part yet? My Maytag Neptune Dryer's heat element went out Sept. 1,
and had it serviced on Sept. 7. They said the part was on backorder
until Sept. 16 and now they are saying Sept. 26. How long will we
have to wait for the part? From reading all of the comments here I am
very concerned. We paid more money thinking we were getting a better
machine. Please reply with any info on this.

I am in the same boat as you all are...Really, Really mad about that.
I guess if there was anything good to say is my dryer at least lasted
6 years, which seams long compared. I had bought the washer to match
but that thing went out 3 years ago. What is up?? When I got married
30 years ago my grandmother gave me her washer that was 20 years old
and I used it for another 15. Now they can't last 10.. JUNK JUNK.
Never buy a Maytag again or Whirlpool. I am going to get me a Bosch to
match my washer..

My 4 year old Drying Center went out for the second time Dec 2008. For
six weeks the repair man would come out and try to fix it with no
results. Finally they said they could not get the right part. They
offered me nothing, not even a discount on a new dryer. I will NEVER
buy anything from Maytag again. This is the first dryer I have ever
bought and it sucks that I got a lemon.

Same issue....no heat in bottom dryer. Called Maytag and they
informed that not only do they not make this machine any longer, but
that the supplier of the heat element went out of business, so no
part. He then went on say what they could offer me. I purchased my
machine back in March 2005 and he said that since I am within some 5yr
warranty, he could issue me a $500 check as long as I supplied them
the model#, serial # and my address info. He said that once they
received the info, the check would be sent out within 4 weeks. So
since we hadn't run out to by another dryer yet, which we will need to
do in the couple of days, we will at least get a decent amount of
money to put against the bill. We also had horrible problems with the
Neptune washer that went with this. Sears has re-built the machine 2
different times instead of giving us credit to buy a new machine.
Needless to say, we will not be buying Maytags this time around.

Well, this is discouraging! We bought the Neptune washer and drying
center in 2006 and within a year started having problems with the
drying center's heating element. Factory Authorzied repairman came 3
times within 6 months and finally admitted Maytag does not have a part
to replace (same story everyone else has heard). I also purchased an
extended warranty for this piece of crap. I replaced the dryer with
another brand and have "0" problems. The drying center has been
parked in my garage since 2007 with the hope that someday a part would
be available. I am getting ready to move, so thought I'd take a
chance, based on what I've read here, same old story - out of luck.
Now I will have to PAY to have someone haul off this piece of junk. I
was never contacted by Maytag regarding this problem, no offer to
replace or discount to buy a new product (even though hell will freeze
before I will EVER buy another Maytag). Guess it is time to start
looking for junk collectors to come and get it.

Well as the story goes I am in the same boat. I guess I was lucky
enough that my lasted almost 5 years before the heating element went
out. How depressing to go and look for a dryer last evening when
there is nothing comparable to it on the market. I used my top
cabinet as much as I did the bottom dyer. When I called Maytag
yesterday the manager told me that when Whirlpool and Maytag merged,
Whirlpool opted not to continue making the Neptune dryer and the
manufacturer that made the part has went out of business. A company
that large and so reputable can't find another manufacturer to make
this?? I find that hard to believe. To me this unit is not
replaceable by any means. I thought when buying this (Maytag) I was
buying a dryer to last me for years. As the saying goes they don't
make things like they used to. How can a company get away with
discontinuing parts for a produt that has only been on the market for
5-6 years?? Please help if anyone has found the part.

I have the dryer also. We also have no heat for lower spin dryer. I
have looker everywhere for this part. No luck. I even have extended
warrenty. Really sucks.

Add me to the list of hacked off consumers. Maytag/Whirlpool are
certainly not concerned about this rip-off. My Neptune is 4 years old
and this is the second time the heating element needed to be replaced.
However this time the part is no longer available. Extended warranty
means nothing--I was offered 20% off a new Whirlpool dryer. That's no
better than a regular sale. I'll never give this company a chance to
rip me off again.

I used mine for less than 2 years (May 2006-Feb 2008). I was told
like everyone else that the part was on backorder. I waited,
waited....I was offered a 10% discount which is BS because the dryer
cost 1200 dollars. I would love to get in on a class-action suit.

chemphystchr@yahoo.com

My dryer was purchased in Aug 2006. The heating element is out of
mine also. We had repairmen come twice and still nothing! I called
maytag/whirpool just last week and sorry to tell you all but they are
no longer making this dryer and will have no replacement parts! I was
told to "just buy a new dryer!". My daughter works for a high end
repair company and she has had no luck with her research team in
finding parts. I say lets start that class action and get some
satisfaction!!! I will be happy to research. Time to take control
and stand up for ourselves!

I will repost when I find out how to get a class action going. If
interested please reply.

Thanks
Klystell

We are in the same situation with the lower dryer needing a heating
element. Does anyone know if the upper and lower dryers use the same
heating element? I could at least put the working element in the lower
dryer and have a working dryer. I am so frustrated with Maytag!

Good Luck, Our Maytag Neptune Center just went out, we have had it for
a little over three years. I was told by our service man that they no
longer have that part, so they gave me to customer service. I just got
off the phone with the customer service and they told me that the
company that built the heating element is no longer making it and they
have exhausted all the parts. But they were happy to give me 15%
towards another puchase. They told me that they are looking for
someone else to make the part, but have nobody yet. So everyone who is
waiting on that part for January, not going to happen. Sounds like
they have been stringing you along

Misery loves company. I started down the same road with my dryer
December 2007. After going around and around between Sears service
department and Whirlpool (who bought out Maytag), I was told September
2008. I was offered a 25% discount on another fine Maytag / Whirlpool
product but I would have rather had my teeth drilled without
novacaine. (I bought a lovely GE dryer that has been fantastic so
far!)

Anyway - I thought since our service contract was expiring at the end
of December 2008, I would have my husband attempt to find out what is
going on with the part. Guess what - It is still not available.

After paying $1300 for this piece of crap, I am ready to go to court.
I have had more sunshine blown up my skirt with random dates for this
part - they are nothing but liars.

I am going to go ahead and file a grievance with the BBB: the website
is www.westernmichigan.bbb.org.

Also a nasty letter the the president of the company may light a fire

His name is Jeff Fettig
553 Benson Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

If any one knows how to get the class action suit rolling, let me
know. I don't have time to coordinate but I will certainly join in
the fight.

Liz
lizlemmel@hotmail.com

We purchased the Drying Center in preparation for a new home we will
building and had the laundry room built to handle the size of the
unit. The unit was bought in Fall 2005. In early 2008, a heating
element in the upper cabinet went out and we got the same runaround as
everyone else. No longer selling the Drying Center and part not
available until Dec. 2008. Well this week we called on our part order
and were told the part would not be available AT ALL! Their only
offer was 25% a new dryer. Well, our dryer works fine, so that offer
is a waste.

So we feel everyone's pain, but what can we do? We are going to do
some work to push them to refund the equivalent portion of the upper
cabinet, leaving us only with the hassle of this refrigerator looking
unit that is only a regular dryer.

Any news if our part is coming? Jan is just around the corner and we
have been without our drying center for 6 months now! I want my NEW
dryer to work!

-Janelle

fourmooresfamily@gmail.com

This is the second time Maytag\Whirlpool has created hell in my life.
I bought a Whirlpool Calypso Washing machine because it was supposed
to wash better with less water wasted and it too was a high end
laundry appliance. Well after it ATE HALF MY CLOTHES I had to go out
and buy another washing machine. I Thought my wife was throwing out
my clothes she didnt like but I started to realize I had almost no
matching socks and when I opened it up the thing was full of clothes
under the stupid agitator. NOW my MAYTAG NEPTUNE DRYING CENTER IS NOT
WORKING. I was goggling trying to find out why the top cabinet is the
only part that heats and the main dryer on bottom is cold. Then I
found this depressing news. The one question I have is are yours
electric or gas. Mine is gas and doesn't have a heating element. It
has an ignitor.

Like all the rest of you, I too purchased a Neptune and the heating
element went and I can't seem to get a replacement part.

I have heard of another similar product - Asko D7181 (if you google
that you can find it). However, I'm scared to spend another $1000 on
a dryer and not know if it will die in a year's time. Has anyone
heard of this Asko model?

Deb

I, too have the same problem - a less-than-4-year-old dryer with a
burned out heating element. I have an extended warranty through
Lowe's, and their referred repair company gave me the same information
- no replacement until "potentially" January 2009. I hope this date
is "real", because as others said, originally it was September 2008.

I have gone through a little more detail - removing the part myself
(after watching the technician do it the first time.) I've also
started making contact with heating-element manufacturers in hoping I
can find a company who might be able to custom-fabricate a
replacement. Like others who posted here, my wife loves the upper
drying cabinet and there's no longer anything on the market that's
similar.

If you might be interested in getting a part custom-fabricated, send
me an email to rondad@mybert.com

Ron

I just noticed the crak on our 1.5 year old driyer .. a family of 3 we
dont have a lot of laundry .. ive contacted maytag via the website i
have yet to get an naswer but from what i read it will be about 200
dollars if not more to get it replaced.. and whats to say that it wont
brake again.. if this thing brakes again we have to pay for it
...again!.. Im frustrated because i read on another site that the
repair man said he didnt know how long the new drum would hold.. we
clearly arent the first ones going through this and i think maytag
needs to make new better drums and replace all the ones that have
broken for free.. Im ready and am looking up now in to starting a
class action law suit unless any one knows of one started already. i
want my money back (as well as reimbusement for all the riped clothes
and snaged bathtowels) but we know that wont happen from the goodness
of maytags soul.. im afraid to put things in there because i dont know
what im not going to be able to wear once its finished drying. Any one
please repost if a class action has been started if not post if youre
willing to start one with me.

I am joining the list of what seems to be hundreds of people waiting
for this heating element. I have contacted Maytag by email and phone
with no acceptable offer for a solution. I was told this part would
be on back order until 1/09 or later and they are sorry but there is
nothing else they can do. I asked about replacing the dryer or at
least a reasonable credit so that I could replace my $1000.00 dryer
with one that works. I aked the customer service rep if she thought
she could live for 8 months without a dryer for a family of four and
would she be happy with the pathetic 15% discount they finally offered
after much pleading for some type of solution. After doing some
additional research I found out that the Neptune Washer for this set
has already had a class-action law suit filed and won, perhaps if
enough people complain the same could be done for the dryer. I'm
sorry but a 15% discount toward the purchase of ANOTHER MAYTAG product
is unacceptable.

My husband and I purchased a Maytag Neptune Drying Center in July
2006. The upper drying cabinet quit working in November 2007. We
were finally told in February 2008 that the part is on back order
until September 2008. The customer service personnel that I have dealt
with have been very rude. We purchased our dryer at Sears and finally
they have offered to allow us a credit towards the purchase of a new
dryer, however the credit is hundreds less than what we paid for our
dryer. We prefer to keep our dryer since there isn't a comparable
dryer available, yet Sears has only offered to allow us to wait until
September 2008 and if we do they will give us an additional 1 year
warranty since we will have had to wait 10 months by that date in
order to have our dryer fixed. This doesn't seem very considerate.

I just received a new update that stated the part will not be
available until January of 2009. Class action lawsuit anyone?

I am currently experiencing the identical problem, with identical lack
of customer service results. (though the top cabinet is not working,
either.) The only resolution the company is offering is 15% off the
purchase of a new drier. Perhaps I would consider it if the company
bought back the substandard drier currently cluttering my laundry
room. This problem needs to be made public immediately, particularly
due to the customer-base that is willing to pay more for premium
products.

Hello,

Patrica I feel your pain. I purchased the drying center in Oct of
2004. I also purchased a service plan. The dryer went out in Jan of
2008. After many weeks of waiting I find out that the part is guess
what, on back order until Sept 2008. Same part as yours, the lower
heating element. Best Buy finally agreed to replace my dryer. The
problem is, I don't want a replacment, I want my drying center.
Nothing on the market now compares to my current dryer and the top
cabinet still works. I also don't want to purchase a new dryer that
does not match my old one. Especially after the $2000+ I paid for
both. I have sent several letters to the company, with no
satisfactory response. My appliance guy tells me that the
manufacturer must keep parts for 7 years after they stop making the
appliance. I have neglected to tell Whirlpool/Maytag that I work for
a major newspaper. Maybe we should try to get our stories published?

Being without a dryer is frustrating. When mine broke and I had to
wait for a part, I bought a roll of heavy twine and a boag of
clothespins and made a clothesline!

While I feel for your situation, I don't think the warranty is a
"replacement" or "refund" of the entire unit or it's cost, it just
covers repairs.

I think the dates in your letter must be a typo, since you purchased
it in '08 and the problem started in '07, but what matters is that
they are given a chance to fix it. If they can't fix the same problem
within two or three tries, depending on the state, then the "lemon
law" would kick in.

Just because a part fails, it doesn't mean it's a poor quality
product. Once it's repaired, it may give you many many years of good
dependable service.

I'm very sorry to hear about what you're going through, Patricia.
When my husband and I were in the market for a new washer and dryer
for our new home, we looked at the Maytag Neptune units, too. We were
told by the salesperson at Sears that the Neptune line had proven to
be quite unreliable, and that she strongly recommended we go with
another type of Maytag or with another manufacturer altogether. We're
glad we took her advice because yours is not the first story of this
kind that we've heard related to the Neptune line; as a matter of
fact, we have a family friend who also has a Neptune dryer, and has a
story similar to yours.

I hope Maytag will do something in the way of reimbursement or
replacement of the unit for you. Please keep us updated. If you do
find yourself in the market for a new dryer, we have been very happy
with our LG front-loader. Good luck!

I may be going out on a limb here, but if this story is true (and I
believe it is), then what Maytag is doing may be interesting enough to
be newsworthy, and arrogant enough to warrant the attention of some
mid-level government agency/organization.