Faced with a $525 circulator pump repair on a 2016 KitchenAid dishwasher that came with the house, one homeowner asked whether it made more sense to fix the existing machine or spend $1,000 to $1,300 on a replacement.
Most Reddit commenters came down on the side of repairing it.
Here's what to know
Posting in a r/Appliances subreddit, the homeowner said the appliance was a KitchenAid KDTM404ESS from 2016 and that the problem had already been diagnosed. The quoted repair cost was "about $525 all in," and they were comparing that option with buying a new dishwasher such as a Bosch 800 or KitchenAid KDFS424SPS.
A self-identified repair technician said that pricing sounded in line with the job.
"Your quote is fair. The OEM pump and motor assembly for this model is about $285, so roughly $240 of the $525 is labor, which is normal for this job," they wrote.
Other commenters described the circulator pump as a relatively approachable repair for homeowners who are comfortable doing appliance work. One person wrote that the assembly is "easy to buy online and is 3-4 screws to swap out," while another said pump replacements on similar units still left the machines "run[ning] like a champ."
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More background
Some replies noted that replacing the dishwasher would involve more than the advertised price of the new unit.
The same self-identified repair technician pointed out that "the $1,000 to $1,300 is just the dishwasher. Install is usually another $150 to $300 unless the store bundles it in."
With installation included, the decision was not simply a choice between $525 and $1,000 to $1,300. The repair argument looked stronger if the current KitchenAid still had unrusted racks and a door that closes and latches securely.
Some commenters took the opposite position. One said they would replace a dishwasher that old because "you don't know when the next part will fail," while another pointed to two practical considerations, one being that a newer model would probably be more energy efficient, and also that an older dishwasher could be "a negative" if the homeowner expects to sell within the next few years.
The thread also included different views on build quality. One commenter, talking about their own KitchenAid, wrote, "Quality like that [is] no longer made," while another argued that the usual "they don't make them like they used to" line may be overstated when applied to a 2016 appliance.
What can be done?
Before moving straight to a replacement, commenters pointed to several lower-cost steps worth considering.
One suggestion was to have the technician price out the full sump assembly, since it might cost "about the same" and leave the owner with "basically … a rebuilt dishwasher."
For homeowners open to DIY work, multiple commenters said the pump can be purchased online for about $175 to $250 and installed at home using YouTube videos. One person added that putting the removed dishwasher on sawhorses or a table could make the repair easier.
A few commenters also recommended checking for simpler solutions before ordering parts. One said they once revived a dishwasher by cleaning "ALL parts where water flows," including the pump and spray arms. Another suggested calling KitchenAid's warranty repair company to see whether any extended coverage might still be available.
Where can I learn more?
If you're dealing with an older dishwasher, these stories go deeper on the kinds of maintenance and troubleshooting steps commenters mentioned in the thread. They cover common fixes, routine maintenance, and cleaning steps that can help dishwashers last longer and run better.
• Across many kitchens, owners learned why dishwashers fail prematurely and how upkeep can prevent it.
• One homeowner fixed her slow-draining dishwasher herself and avoided an expensive service call.
• An appliance expert showed that almost all brands have this removable filter that needs cleaning.
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