Maytag MRT118 Refrigerator — Issues & Fixes

The MRT118 is Maytag's budget 18 cu. ft. top-freezer, sharing its platform with the Whirlpool WRT518 line, so defrost components and the start relay interchange between them. Below are the covered models, the recurring problems, and a repair-or-replace line.

Models covered#

Three variants built from 2016 to 2023 share one platform (and cross-reference with the WRT518):

Common problems for this model#

Before you call#

Match the symptom before booking a visit. A frost wall in the freezer with a warm fridge points to the defrost thermostat, heater, or timer — most often the thermostat. Clicking from the back with a cabinet that will not cool is the start relay. A top door that sags and gaps at the gasket is a worn hinge pin, and an iced-over evaporator coil shows up as blocked airflow and uneven temperatures. Because this platform shares its defrost parts and start relay with the Whirlpool WRT518, replacements are easy to source and quick to fit.

Recall status#

There are no active recalls on the Maytag MRT118 series as of 2026-05-28. Check your model against the Consumer Product Safety Commission list at cpsc.gov periodically.

Repair or replace?#

For the MRT118: under 10 years old with a fix below 50% of a comparable new unit, repair. After 10 years, weigh recent costs — once repairs over the last 2-3 years exceed 40% of replacement, replace. On a budget top-freezer, the common defrost and relay repairs are inexpensive and almost always worth doing.

Keeping it healthy#

Hold the fresh-food side near 37 degrees F and the freezer at 0 degrees F, and avoid overloading, since blocked airflow makes the compressor work harder. Clean the condenser coils every 6-12 months and replace the water filter every 6 months if your unit has a filter — those two chores head off most of the common failures above.

FAQ#

How often should I defrost the MRT118?#

You should not have to — the MRT118 is auto-defrost, so a frost buildup means the automatic defrost system has failed rather than needing a manual defrost. Check the defrost thermostat, heater, and timer; the thermostat is the most common culprit, opening early and cutting the defrost cycle short before all the frost melts.

Does the MRT118 share parts with other models?#

Yes — it runs on the same platform as the Whirlpool WRT518 top-freezer line, so the defrost components and the start relay interchange between them. That makes parts easy to source and keeps repair costs down.

The fridge is warm and I hear clicking — what is it?#

Repeated clicking from the back with a warm cabinet is the classic start-relay symptom: the relay cannot get the compressor running. The relay — which interchanges with the WRT518 — is a common, inexpensive replacement that restores cooling.

Book a Maytag MRT118 repair#

We service Maytag refrigerators across Sacramento and the Bay Area, and our techs carry the common MRT118 parts, so most repairs finish in a single visit. Book your repair for same-day or next-day service, upfront pricing, and a 90-day parts-and-labor warranty.