What this family is
The Criterion CDW dishwasher family is a built-under dishwasher plumbed to the hot supply, with a drain hose that must loop high before it falls to the waste. What these models are actually brought in for is not draining, then poor cleaning. Check your own code against the five in the table below.
The fault classes on this platform, with their pages
- Water left standing in the tub — A blocked path far more often than a dead pump. The waste path is a drain pump discharging through a hose that must rise into a high loop or air gap before it falls to the waste. See: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Will Not Drain. — Slug: criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-drainage-failure — Title: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Will Not Drain
- Dishes coming out dirty or filmed — Grit redeposited from the filter, one rack left dirty, or detergent left behind. See: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Does Not Clean or Dry. — Slug: criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-cleaning-performance — Title: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Does Not Clean or Dry
- The machine will not start a cycle — Usually a deliberate refusal: door latch, child lock, delay or supply. See: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Will Not Start or No Power. — Slug: criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-wont-start — Title: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Will Not Start or No Power
- Water inside the cabinet or on the floor — Melt water off its path, which here is a drain pump discharging through a hose that must rise into a high loop or air gap before it falls to the waste. See: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Water Leak. — Slug: criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-water-leak — Title: Criterion CDW Dishwasher: Water Leak
In frequency order on these models
- Not draining — Placed here because the drain path carries everything the filter does not catch.
- Poor cleaning — Placed here because the filter and spray arms are owner-maintained, and neglect outranks component failure on any dishwasher.
- Not starting — Placed here because the door and latch system is in series with everything else, so it looks like a dead machine.
Models in the CDW family
Reference| Model number | Family key |
|---|---|
| CDW2FCM* | criterion:dishwasher:cdw |
| CDW4FCM* | criterion:dishwasher:cdw |
| CDW5TCM* | criterion:dishwasher:cdw |
| CDW7TCM* | criterion:dishwasher:cdw |
| CDW7TCT1S | criterion:dishwasher:cdw |
The problem classes, ordered — No measured denominator exists for this family, so no share figures are given: the standing column orders the classes by how the platform is built, not by a count of reports.
General guidance| Problem class | Standing on this platform | Where it is covered |
|---|---|---|
| Water left standing in the tub | most often brought in | criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-drainage-failure |
| Dishes coming out dirty or filmed | second | criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-cleaning-performance |
| The machine will not start a cycle | third | criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-wont-start |
| Water inside the cabinet or on the floor | less often | criterion-criterion-dishwasher-cdw-dishwasher-water-leak |
Where the owner line falls here
Checks that need nothing dismantled are owner work here: airflow, seals, loading, filters and settings. The machine has to be unplumbed and drawn out from under the counter before most work can start, which is where a straightforward job becomes a longer one.
Neighbouring families
SC
Sarah Chen
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
EPA 608 UniversalNASTeC Certified
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
