We purchased a Kenmore Elite model number 66513112K701 approximately 2 years ago The dishwasher has cleaned well and runs quietly, however, over the past year the plastic around 4 of the control panel buttons has cracked, causing the buttons to fall off.
This model front panel is a plastic membrane that contains the switches.
The plastic has cracked and the circular buttons have fallen off exposing the switch circuitry. This is not a high cycle part and it shouldn't wear out in only a couple years of normal use. I estimate we do a load of dishes a day. (Even if we washed dishes twice a day for 2 years it would be approxamately 1400 pushes.) This type of device should last for 10,000 to 14000 cycles per reasonable engineering practices. I agree with a previous complaint's estimate of about 10-15 years for the plasticizers to gas out and the plastic to become brittle in a properly designed product.
Or initial contacts with Sears resulted in advising me to purchase the entire front panel at $100, as button panel is not a separate part that can be ordered, or having their repair department install it at additional cost.
I believe that this is a manufacturer’s defect and do not feel that the consumer should have to pay the $100 to replace it.
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