Who Makes Kenmore Appliances? How to Tell From the Model Number

Kenmore appliances are built by other manufacturers, and the model number usually tells you which one. Kenmore was the Sears house brand, and Wikipedia lists makers including Whirlpool and Samsung behind its products. The iFixit maker code list adds LG, GE and the Frigidaire family. The three digits before the dot in a Kenmore model number are a maker code. For example, 110 points to Whirlpool, 795 to LG and 253 to the Frigidaire family. Knowing the maker helps you find parts and a tech who knows the design.

Answer Box

• Kenmore is a brand, not a factory. Several makers built Kenmore models.
• The three digits before the dot in the model number are a maker code.
• Common codes include 106 and 110 for Whirlpool, 795 for LG and 253 for the Frigidaire family.
• Always order parts by the full Kenmore model number, not just the maker.

Who Owns Kenmore Now

Sears Holdings filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. Transformco was formed in 2019 to buy its assets, and the Kenmore brand went with them (Wikipedia on Sears Holdings). As of October 17, 2026, Wikipedia lists Kenmore as owned and licensed by Transformco. For most owners of an older Kenmore, the more useful question is who built the machine in your kitchen or laundry room. That is what the model number answers.

How to Read a Kenmore Model Number

Find the model tag first. On a washer it is often under the lid or on the back. On a dryer it is usually inside the door frame. On a fridge it is often on an inside wall. Our post on where to find your model and serial number has a spot by spot list.

A Kenmore model number usually looks like three digits, a dot, then more digits. Something like 110.12345678. The part before the dot is the maker code. The part after the dot is the specific model.

Common Maker Codes

These codes come from the iFixit maker code list, which parts sellers and repair guides use too. They are a starting point, not a guarantee.

• 106, 110 and 665 point to Whirlpool.
• 795 points to LG.
• 253 points to Gibson, a Frigidaire family brand, and 790 to Electrolux. Both families are part of Electrolux today.
• 362 and 363 point to GE.
• 401 points to Samsung.

If your code is not on this list, put the full model number into a parts lookup. It will usually name the maker or at least show parts that match.

Why the Maker Matters for a Repair

A Kenmore with a 110 code is close kin to a Whirlpool machine of the same era. A Kenmore with a 795 code shares a lot with an LG model. That means a few things.

• Parts cross over. Many parts are the same part number as the maker version, or a direct supersession of it.
• Repair know how carries over. A tech who knows LG machines will know the inside of a 795 Kenmore.
• Known issues carry over. If an LG model had a common failure, the Kenmore twin may share it.

When you call a repair company, say both. Tell them it is a Kenmore and give the full model number. Many techs will know the maker on sight.

Where People Get Stuck

A few mix ups come up again and again when Kenmore owners look for parts.

• Leaving off the prefix. The digits after the dot alone may match a different machine. Always include the three digit code.
• Using the serial number by mistake. The serial is unique to your unit. Parts lookups want the model number.
• Reading the wrong sticker. Some machines have a parts sticker, an energy label and a model tag. The model tag usually has both the model and the serial on it.
• Assuming the newest Kenmore matches the old one. The same product type may have come from a different maker in a different year. Check each machine on its own.

Is an Old Kenmore Worth Fixing?

Many Kenmore washers and dryers built on older Whirlpool designs are simple machines with cheap, easy to find parts. Those are often worth fixing. Newer models with electronic controls can be pricier to repair. The usual rule applies. Compare the repair quote to the price of a new machine and think about how old yours is. Our post on repair cost and when to replace covers how to weigh it.

We keep model guides for a few common Kenmores, like the Kenmore 60222 dryer and the Kenmore Elite 74025 fridge.

Getting It Fixed

Most independent appliance repair companies work on Kenmore. Since the machines come from the big makers, the parts are usually the same ones they already stock. You can find a local appliance repair company and mention the maker code when you call. It helps them bring the right parts on the first visit.

Studies and Pages

• Wikipedia, Kenmore (brand), owner and makers.
• Wikipedia, Sears Holdings, October 2018 bankruptcy and Transformco.
• iFixit, How to identify who made your Kenmore appliance, maker codes.

Photos from Wikimedia Commons by Famartin under CC BY-SA 4.0. Chart made by us from the iFixit codes.

All sources opened October 17, 2026.