Kenmore 500 Series Top-Load Washer: Repair Guide

Which models this covers#

These washers carry Kenmore's 110.* prefix, meaning Whirlpool built them, and they ran from 2010 to 2020 on one shared parts catalog:

• 110.26132
• 110.20022
• 110.20032
• 110.20232
• 110.28132

If your number begins with the same prefix but is not listed, the same direct-drive parts and diagnostics apply.

Specifications#

Common problems for this model#

1. Lid-switch assembly failure — 22%. The washer fills but will not agitate or spin.
2. Direct-drive motor coupler breaks — 18%. A loud clunk, then no agitation.
3. Water-pump failure — 14%. It will not drain, or it leaks from the bottom.
4. Timer contact burnout — 10%. The cycle stalls or skips stages.
5. Transmission failure — 8%. A grinding noise during agitation.

No error codes on this platform#

The 500 Series uses a mechanical timer rather than a digital display, so it does not throw fault codes. Diagnosis is by symptom — the ranked list above maps most complaints to a part.

Recall status#

There are no active recalls on the Kenmore 500 Series as of 2026-05-28. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your model number at the Consumer Product Safety Commission — cpsc.gov — periodically, or sign up for their alerts.

Repair or replace?#

These are among the most repair-friendly washers ever built, and the two most common jobs — the lid switch and the motor coupler — use inexpensive, easy-to-source parts. The transmission is the only repair where replacement math really comes into play. The rule: under 10 years old and a fix under 50% of a new washer means repair; past 10 years, replace once the last two to three years of repairs top 40% of replacement cost.

Maintenance#

1. Clean the lint filter, if your model has one, monthly.
2. Run a hot cycle with bleach monthly to keep the tub from building up residue.
3. Check the fill hoses for bulges or cracks once a year and replace them every 5 years.
4. Do not overload — direct-drive couplers break from overloading.

Distribute laundry evenly before the spin, and check pockets every time; coins and keys reaching the pump are a leading cause of washer failure.

Common questions#

What breaks most often? The lid switch and the motor coupler together account for roughly 40% of service calls on this platform.

How long do they last? With basic care, 10–14 years. The lid-switch failure that heads the list is a routine, repairable issue rather than a sign the machine is worn out.

Why these washers are easy to fix#

The two headline failures are quick, mechanical repairs. The lid switch is a plunger-and-microswitch assembly the control reads to confirm the lid is down; when it fails, the motor never gets permission to agitate or spin even though the tub fills normally. The motor coupler is a small plastic-and-rubber part linking the motor to the transmission, engineered to break before the motor does — so a loud clunk followed by a full tub of water usually means the coupler, not the motor, and it is an inexpensive swap. The direct-drive design as a whole uses few, cheap, widely stocked parts, and every common failure is reachable without special tools, which is exactly why this platform has such a reputation for longevity.

Book a repair#

We stock the common Kenmore direct-drive parts on the truck, so most repairs finish in one visit with an upfront quote. Book at /book before any work begins.