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A. O. Smith Water Heaters

Charles of Table Rock NE (03/14/09)
I had an AO Smith Pro Max 50gal electric water heater professionally installed in 2002. In 2006 the tank was leaking and had the water heater professionally replaced under warranty. Now in 2009 the replacement is also leaking. My installers AO Smith rep refuses to make good on it, saying that the 6-year warranty has expired. True, from a purely legal standpoint. They fooled me once.

However, I purchased the AO Smith Pro Max with the expectation of it lasting at least as long as the warranty, and at the end of the warranty period, I find instead I have had to pay for an extra installation and will have to do so again, plus another water heater.

Well, since I have to pay for an entirely new water heater, plus another installation, there is absolutely no justification to spend that money on AO Smith as the whole cycle of install/failure/re-install/re-fail will likely repeat again.

There is no financial advantage to my giving AO Smith any repeat business, and every incentive to switch vendors.

Carolyn of Big Spring, TX March 8, 2009

Carolyn of Big Spring TX (03/08/09)
We are on out third water heater. All are under the original warranty. Although this last one has probably exceeded the end of the warranty. We have only had this one for about 6 months. We have had the same problem with the last two. They each lasted only a matter of a few months. The original one developed a water leak. The last two were the newer types that require a flame arrestor to be added onto itas per federal government rules. Both of these heaters quit lighting because of lack of air because of the arrestor clogging. We asked for a different brand this last time but were told that the only type we could trade it for was the same type. This time we will have to suck up the expense and buy a new one.

Be advised we WILL NOT buy another a. o. smith heater! We are at a lack as to what type to buy however at this time. It is ashame that in these tough economic times these companies can not put out a decent product. Then they always say that it is the fault of the consumer. Bull. We have read some reviews by others who have had the same problem and been told that it was the environment in which the heater sets. Again, bull.

We are going to be out the money for another heater and instead of getting one replaced under the warranty we will have to go somewhere to purchase another brand.

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