Kelvinator 536L Top Mount KTM5402 Series
Verified43 reviews
Didn't last any decent time – My previous fridges lasted decades. This didn't even last a 4 years. Crisper broke. Not happy. I already know that it is a waste of time to call the company
Poorly Designed Fridge – This fridge ices up seasonally going into summer which means it has to be powered off and defrosted with towels in the freezer and fridge compartments. Behind the freezer is a massive block of ice. No fridge for 24 to 48 hours! The crisper draw started to fall apart after 6 months and incrementally over the next year it completely failed, cracked… Read more
and parts broke off it. The three year extended warranty we purchased only covered electrical and mechanical, not any internal components. Cost of a replacement crisper is 10% of the entire fridge cost and I have a feeling it will not last very long either!
Maybe Kelvinator should make heaters instead, given the fridge is so warm – Not fit for purpose. We purchased this fridge in a hurry as our old Kelvinator died after 19 years and we wanted what we thought was an equivalent model. After 2.5 years, the freezer is icing over and everything is rock hard, while the fridge is warm with food going off after a short period of time. After doing more research, I have seen this is a… Read more
common flaw with this fridge model, meaning that it does not perform as described and should be replaced. I have tried turning the fridge off and allowing it to defrost, but after 1 day I have the same issue again. Absolutely disgusted at this brand. Maybe Kelvinator should make heaters instead, given the fridge is so warm inside. Don't even get me started on the air con unit of theirs I purchased. At least we got 3 years out of that!
Reviews with attachments
Great EXCEPT FOR CRISPER – Excellent fridge EXCEPT for crisper which they changed design from previous model. Crisper is now one whole draw which gets stuck and breaks very easily if u put more than half full hence why in my pic there is no crisper! Everything else great Show details
Careful, just another Chinese product – I put allot of effort into trying to find a fridge not made in china. I was surprised to see when looking in store that the sticker inside the fridge said made in Thailand. I bought this fridge based on this information. Unfortunately when I got the fridge home I noticed that the compressor was labelled jia Xipera compressor company China. … Read more
If I had known this I would have purchased a Japanese made Panasonic.
The concerning part of this is the compressor is the heart of a refrigerator, I actually paid extra for this fridge compared to clearly labelled Chinese made fridges. E.g LG.. SAMSUNG..Hisense..Haier...Fisher & Paykel..
And the warranty is actually less than some of the other Chinese brands..
Better labelling would be better for the consumer
Positive reviews
Great fridge on a budget – This is a great fridge that was on of the cheaper on the market for it's size, but we have no regrets. It is spacious and well set out inside. I purchased some drawers on wheels from kmart and now this fridge is as organised as any of the more expensive options - and better yet, the deep, wide shelves are very versatile and my drawers are… Read more
removeable. The glass shelves make it easy to clean and easy to see what's in the fridge. The crisper is a little awkward to open, but manageable. Many reviews complained of a loud motor noise but we haven't found this to be an issue.
Very roomy, easy to clean, and quiet! – Very roomy, easy to clean, runs quiet and the door alarm comes in very handy as I am always leaving the door open. The only down side which is not a deal breaker but more of an inconvenience is the door shelving is a poor design for holding items such as 1.5 liter water bottles, often times they spill or tip over when opening the fridge door,… Read more
however this is the case in almost all kelvinator fridges. The simple solution is taller shelving, problem solved, designers should be forced to use their fridges as punishment LOL
Great value for money! – The fridge we bought before this was from Gumtree for $150, so it was always going to be a step up. But it's such a clean and sleek design, very quiet, energy efficient, and there's so much space in both the fridge and freezer. Temperature control is great (in both winter and summer), and I haven't had any issue with veggies freezing like I have… Read more
had in the past with other fridges.
If I had to pick a couple of small issues with it, it's that there's no top drawer/compartment to keep dairy or cheese (we just went to Kmart and bought a plastic box to keep these in which we store at the top), and the freezer doesn't have a designated ice tray to keep loose ice in.
Other than that, can't fault it!
Negative reviews
Very Unhappy – If I had of read the reviews I would never had bought it. It's a bit late once the Warranty has run out and then they don't work anymore. This was bought in March 2018 and now no longer will freeze or cool fridge. This product is obviously dodgy and we should be compensated for the loss of food and the fridge which should have lasted me more than 5 years. Show details
Ktm5402wa-r is rubbish and so is Electrolux customer service – Air duct blocks up with ice and fridge won’t cool because of it, Electrolux are a headache to speak to and just want to charge you a call out fee knowing that this fridge is a lemon, under consumer laws they should send a tech out free of charge as this is not unusual for this model to play up, will not buy anything under the Electrolux umbrella… Read more
again.. imo they should bring you a new replacement fridge and take this back as scrap metal. Very disappointed customer and will be discussing this with FAIR TRADING in regards to consumer guarantee
3 repairs in 3 years – Dont buy a Kelvinator. I got this fridge because it was $200 cheaper than the Westinghouse equivalent and i had heard decent things about Kelvinator as a brand. Unfortunately it started playing up within the first 10 months. The freezer would work but the fridge wasnt cold. When service came out to fix they said it was a common problem that… Read more
happens with newer model due to the airflow between the freezer and fridge freezing over. It was a quick fix and the tech said just keep the temperature settings to mid and it shouldn't happen again. Unfortunately about 12 months later i had the opposite problem where the fridge would work but not the freezer. Service then told me i had to monitor the temperature gage and continually change depending on the season which is really annoying as the temperature guage is at the back of the freezer. Now for the 3 time i need to call seevice out to fix. It was a costly mistake buying this fridge as ive had to buy a second smaller bar fridge to get me by while waiting for services and have had to throw out 3 fridges worth of food.
Recent reviews
Kelvinator the lemon fridge – Warning do not buy this fridge . Wasted my money lost all my stock I had in both freezer and fridge . It’s 6 months old telling me it’s my fault and under warranty.saying I left the door open . My worst ever purchase . My last fridge lasted 17 years .I can’t believe they have blamed me and service guy told me they are rubbish and all these fridges are having the same problem . Show details
Terrible Refrigerator – Do not buy this product. This fridge should be taken off the market. The temperature is not cold enough. This fridge is well below expectation, have it on the coldest setting and nothing is cold enough. The freezer does not freeze - not even flat bread. Have adjusted temperature settings over time and seasons however it makes no difference.The… Read more
temperature setting slide/dial and instructions do not make sense and the manual offers no clarity on temperature settings either. This refrigerator has put me off ever buying Kelvinator products again.
Good morning Emily Julie from Electrolux here. We… Read more
Find out how Kelvinator 536L Top Mount KTM5402 Series compares to other Top Mount Fridges / Refrigerators
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Freezer frosting bad fridge 13" degrees – 16 months old fridge wont get cold fridge is only 13 degrees has product care and under warranty but still waiting for repair/replacement. I need a new fridge last week Show details
Hi Andy, Denise from Electrolux here. We would… Read more
Avoid, faulty design – When infist got the fridge i loved it. It had a great layout internally and good use of space. After 7 months ive had nothing but trouble. The thermostat dies, curcuitboards have to be replaced, the defrost circuit fails, or the fan ices over and fails, blowing the motor. This fridge has faulted at least 4 times on me.ive never been able to claim… Read more
losses for lack or reciepts, service times are poor. The fridge recieves cold air from the freezer through a series of channels. As soon as the freezer ices over for whatever reason the defrost/thermostat fails, the channels freeze over, killing off any air to the fridge until ultimately the motor fails. You can manually defrost but it seems the circuitboard is delicate and wont recover so the fridge will not maintain a temperature. Getting refunds from electrolux is almost impossible. Dont buy. And dont buy any fridge with a cooling system that works in that manner.
Very Disappointed – I brought this fridge at Bing Lee on November 2017 ago brand new. Worked fine for 2 and 1/2 years and now the fridge stopped working. Called to repair person for couple of times and suggested to turn off for 48-72 hrs and did the same as per his advice but it doesn't work at all. Doesn't form ice in the freezer at all. As per his suggestion I… Read more
removed the door tray, (which is factory fitted at time of purchase) as it can interfere with air circulation. Did what was told but the freezer does not work anymore. .
Hi Dilip, Zaida from Electrolux here. We are sorry to… Read more
Very disappointed. 2/ 1/2 years old and freezer does not work – Purchased this fridge/freezer 2 1/2 years ago brand new. Worked fine for 2 and a half years, then the freezer stopped working. Repair person checked and as soon as he saw the fridge, stated he knew what the problem was. The fan at the back of the freezer ices up and stops working, which he advised was a common fault with this model. He advised… Read more
us to turn the fridge off for 48 hours, to allow the ice to defrost and free the fan. Also suggested we remove the door tray, (which is factory fitted at time of purchase) as it can interfere with air ciculation. Did what was told but the freezer does not work anymore. General expectation is that this type of product will last longer than 2 and a half years (Warranty is 2 years) We previously had a Westinghouse fridge/freezer which lasted for over 25 years,
Hi Mark Linda from Electrolux here. We would… Read more
Very noisy!! – We bought this fridge at Joyce Mayne, very disappointed with the noise level, we can hear it through the wall whilst watching TV in the evening! Also, the setting has to be on the highest level to keep food cool in the fridge or completely frozen in the freezer. Show details
Very Disappointed - Faulty – Received on 28 January 2020. Barely lasted five weeks and the freezer had stopped working due to a gas leak. Lost $200 worth of food and had to take two days off work as a Nurse, one waiting for a technician to see what was wrong and the second for a new replacement to be delivered. Now I can't restock properly due to the Coronavirus outbreak… Read more
and the supermarket shelves having limited restrictions or nothing at all! Fingers crossed that the same thing won't happen again as I do like the layout and size. Staff were as helpful as they could be under the circumstances.
Disappointing purchase – Fridge is well below expectation, have it on the coldest setting and still my drinks aren’t cold. Had it replaced within a week and the replacement isn’t any better. Drawers and shelves feel flimsy, won’t last long in my opinion. Controls are confusing and don’t seem to have much variance. Fridge is a good size but very disappointing nevertheless. Show details
Denise from Electrolux here. We are sorry to hear you… Read more
Salesman – A sailsman not interested in selling. Posiblly not interested in the job or too well. Called a salesman to eplaine and sell the product. After telling us the delivery and product not store LEFT.
Visted Store "Good Guys- Essendo DFO " for the above experience.
Fantastic Fridge – This fridge is reliable with the temperature in all compartments. I like the fact that it is an upside down fridge. The doors are heavy but easy to open. However if you open the freezer then close it, you have to wait a few seconds before you can open the fridge which in my opinion is a great idea. Show details
Find out how Kelvinator 536L Top Mount KTM5402 Series compares to other Top Mount Fridges / Refrigerators
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Worked well for 2 days, then noises, then stopped cooling and defrosted – Like others buying this fridge it was ok when first started. I checked that it cooled ok and froze ok before transferring things into the fridge and freezer. It was getting VERY hot on the exterior left side just above centre, which was odd, but that's where the motor is, not at the bottom, so I gave it some extra space around the sides which is… Read more
a pain, but I did it.
The fridge door shelves are fabulous. Deep and wide and on slides so you can set them up to use them as you need, and they are strong and hold a lot. But the temp settings are on the rear panel, where you have to drag everything out of both the freezer and also the fridge to get to them. Bad design, Also bad design is NO LIP on the back of the glass shelves to stop things being pushed back too far to the rear, which affects cold air circulation, and the shelves themselves go back too far.
As soon as I loaded the food and frozen stuffs into the fridge it started making an awful clanging sound when starting up. And starting up constantly. NOTE: The food was COLD when it went in and the freezer food was already frozen rock solid from a chest freezer so it did not have to work hard to cool things. But it would CLANG RATTLE start up every 20 minutes or so then go quieter once started. Including through the night. Cue being jolted awake by the CLANG RATTLE start up 7 or 8 times......every night.
Day 5: I moved the temp control to where it says it should be (in the book) for both the fridge and the freezer for summer use, because we had some hot weather coming in.
Day 6: Nothing in the fridge is cool, and to my horror I opened the freezer to find the temp was above zero and FRIDGE temp not freezer temp. Most things had either melted or defrosted and the air coming out of the vents was barely cool, and certainly not COLD.
I threw the thermostat over to COLDEST on both. The fridge part started, the freezer didn't. Not happy jan.
I called Kelvinator and got a terrible operator, who kept telling me I had to check something this fridge doesn't even have on it and was rude as! Eventually yelled back at her and got the call escalated and it seems there MIGHT be a fault, but was also told this fridge has some weird system where you are supposed to make your fridge WARM so the compressor doesn't get hot and........STOP WORKING. What???????????
Apparently, we must at all costs (including the cost of replacing all food and drink within fridge and freezer) save the compressor from having to work. Or it stops and won't work at all. And this fridge measures the outside temp as well as the inside temp. And on a hot day it wont work - to save the compressor.
Seriously Not fit for purpose. If the compressor is not sufficiently strong to work and cool this fridge down to FRIDGE TEMPS and FREEZER TEMPS under a full load for this size fridge and also (and maybe especially) in Australian in SUMMER...then it does not do what a fridge is bought for. Keeping your food cold and at a SAFE temperature (avoiding death from food poisoning) and stuff in the FREEZER actually frozen, in hot weather.
If you do not have AIR CON to keep your fridge cool so it works Do not buy this fridge!!!!!!!
Hi Saddle Saw, Marina from Electrolux here. We are… Read more
Can’t get freezer to freeze the food – The temp controller is unsatisfactory. I followed the instructions and it hasn’t frozen the food. I had to throw the ice cream out as it was soft and runny. Apart from that it seems ok but I didn’t Just buy a fridge. I’m actually quite annoyed that I have to shove everything in deep freezer now Show details
Hi Annoyed Linda from Electrolux here. We are sorry to… Read more (+1 reply)
Amazing – Shelves are spacey, easy to clean, looks goods. Was going to get the same sized Westinghouse, but was over $100 more and the only real difference was an egg tray and lids on the small shelves in the door. Am very happy with this fridge. Freezer works well, I also like the fruit and veg drawer design Show details
So happy with it! – It does maintain a consistent temperature! Infact, our veggies remain fresher for much longer than in our old fridge! I've got a cauliflower in there right now that's been there for about 10 days (I should probably cook it soon) - still looks fresh! The freezer freezes like it should. The shelves are wide and deep. The hight and placement of… Read more
nearly all shelves, including those on the door, is adjustable.
My only complaints are that
- there is no separate compartment for the ice (though it comes with an ice cube tray, I have to balance the tray atop my meats/other frozen food.
- no separate little chill tray in the main fridge.
- veggie drawer hard to open and close
These are not dealbreakers as the fridge works very well. We also got it for a very good price.
Simple easy to use basic fridge – This fridge is a very simple basic fridge nothing fancy but a fridge is to cool your food in the fridge and freeze in the freezer in very happy with it would recommend this fridge. It’s a big and practical I’ve notice my energy bill has came down a bit. Show details
Not recommended – This fridge aesthetically is horrid. The front panels look dented around each edge. The sides panels don't match and the whole thing looked old when delivered. The inside s OK, with nice glass shelving that is anti spill, but the crisper simply won't open without being wrenched, which I am sure will break it eventually. You also can't take it out… Read more
easily to clean. Cooling performance seems reasonable. The freezer is just adequate in size. But the fridge is a big object in the kitchen and the rippling of the metal panels, which is difficult to see in a showroom, but very evident in the sunlight, makes it an eyesore. There are better choices if aesthetics are your primary consideration.
Hi Rosy1952, Rumana from Electrolux here. We are sorry… Read more
Great and affordable Fridge – This fridge is not flashy and doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it is a great one. It is spacious, quiet and does the job properly. I am happy with my purchase, so far so good Show details
Very nice product with budget options available – Bought this fridge from JB-Hi Fi, works very well and fits perfectly into our kitchen. The handle of door designed at the side of the door also makes opening of it easier. It is occasionally making noise of liquid flowing, but mostly a quiet fridge and keeps the ice-creams solid. With it, enjoying a cool beer in summer is fabulous. Plus, the aircon we use is of the same brand. Show details
Love the product – It maintains a good temperature in all compartments and the food is always fresh. The freezer section is a good size which is a plus. The shelving has just the right amount of space. It runs very quiet and easy to clean with minimum fuss. The fridge is just the right size and suits perfectly. Show details
Some large design flaws – Size is brilliant and the shelves are adjustable to realistic and useful levels. Have not had an issue. However I was very surprised to find an ice cube tray just floating in the freezer, not attached over a container like every other fridge I've seen. Also the crisper is beyond frustrating!! Unless taken out very very slowly with two hands it… Read more
comes off a track on one side. I've actually looked to see if I can remove the tracks as they are so incredibly annoying but I'm stuck with my crisper constantly on one track.
Fix those issues and it woulduld be a real competitor
Hi Kylie, Leslie from Electrolux here. We are sorry to… Read more
Great Fridge – I ordered this fridge online for my mother a couple months ago and she could not be happier. The size was great and the style. The service she received from the delivery guys was very professional and polite as well. Also the price of the fridge was good as well. Thank you :-) Show details
Great fridge for the price – The fridge was bought to replace the old one when it had died, but we had known that it wasn't long for the world and had some time to look at a replacement. We had wanted something bigger than the old fridge, easy to clean, flexible in layout and energy efficient. The Kelvinator met the requirements (and fitted into the fridge space) We love the… Read more
new fridge, and love the extra space, better lighting and flexible layout, but have a few issues with design. As mentioned by others, the vegetable crisper is a little tricky to use, but we are getting use to it. The crisper would be better if it was divided and deeper, but that would lead to other compromises in the design.
We also noticed the compressor noise as well. It wasn't louder than the old fridge, just different, and we are starting to get use to it.
Have no regrets on buying this fridge and would recommend it to others.
Crap fridge – Don’t buy it’s a lemon Doesn’t cool or freeze properly Show details
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Hi Chris Edwards, Narelle from Electrolux here. We are… Read more