Yeah same, everyone recommended me Hitachi at one point and the damn thing had compressor failure and died at 5 years; compressor warranty also void because apparently something got "stuck" within the sealed refrigerant line (which most likely would have been caused by the faulty compressor in the first place).

Filed case at consumer tribunal and won the case against Hitachi, they replaced a brand new fridge at no cost to us.

In between the tribunal hearing and stuff, we bought Samsung Bottom Freezer fridge (RL4323RBABS); had a service call due to a minor issue and glad that they resolved it within a day. I called on Sunday, and the very next day someone was despatched.

Samsung is the only brand that allows you to claim more than one compressor within the 10 year warranty period; but not within two years or something like that.

Hitachi Warranty call has the slowest response and turnaround time.

Both Inverter, the one which failed is also Inverter and the one they replaced for me is also inverter but with a different compressor model.

The model which failed was R-W750FPMX; the compressor attached to this model is prone to mechanical failure and I am not the first to experience this; even the guy who delivered the replacement fridge told us how the whole "drama" would have unfolded. From the date of failure, to how the repair man would have come twice before "giving up" and informing that Hitachi will offer a new fridge at discount etc.

We didn't take the offer from Hitachi, as they were adamant in offering the exact same fridge at 50% discount. Filed a case against Hitachi via consumer tribunal and won the case; Hitachi decided to replace the fridge FOC.

The new Hitachi replacement is RWB800P5MXGR

In the meantime,while waiting for the verdict, we purchased a Samsung Inverter fridge and quite happy with it.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Apr 16 2020, 01:29 PM

Most likely defrost timer rosak, but I think most service centre is closed during this MCO period. You can go for Japanese brands apart from Hitachi. Midea is not bad but not sure about Hisense.

For your samsung, you could try manual defrosting by turning it off for every 8hrs to 10hrs for 1-2hrs; see if it helps to cool and try hearing for the fan noise in the freezer. It could be most likely be due to these two issues if freezer is working find but refrigerator section is warm

Most likely defrost timer failed causing frost to block the air pathway to the fridge area. R-W720P7M should be ok; it is using a different compressor model compared to R-W750FPMX

I am using Samsung after our Hitachi failed, quite happy with it. Got the bottom freezer version.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Apr 27 2020, 11:19 AM

So far the RW800P5MXGR is ok; slightly more noisy (high pitch) compared to the Samsung but works well. The old RW750FPMX also worked well and suddenly bit the dust just after 5 years of age without any signs except a louder than usual high pitched sound 1 day before it died.

Hitachi Customer service sucks and this is one reason for me to avoid buying Hitachi at all cost after this.

Raise complaint through consumer tribunal. That's what I did and they gave us a new fridge at Hitachi's cost. Do avoid Hitachi fridge at all cost, due to very poor after sales warranty support. Had similar issues with warranty claim on their Vacuum cleaner (can only run for 15 minutes and thermal protection will kick in, send for warranty claim and Hitachi said its within spec). Some people are lucky with their washing machine warranty claim

Roughly 1 month to 1.5month, from lodging of complaint up to tribunal date.

But now due to cmco might be delayed; if you intend to get a new fridge; I suggest you keep the old in place until the hearing is over.

That's what we did with ours, mine developed a major compressor fault which caused the internal pipe to rupture under pressure. Hitachi wanted to us to pay RM 2.5k to replace the exact same model.

https://ttpm.kpdnhep.gov.my/portal/home

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Nov 10 2020, 01:32 PM

We are using Samsung Fridge and have no issues with it; best after sales support as well for a minor issue we faced initially.

Had a very bad experience with Hitachi fridge and their after sales team; never considering this brand again.

Sharp is very good; we gave away our 20+ year old Sharp Fridge in working condition as it started to excessively draw power; a true workhorse. (Non Inverter type)

Inverter type Refrigerators tend to breakdown faster as electronics are involved.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Apr 13 2021, 04:05 PM

Get it from Sharp Roxy Sales Shah Alam?

Since you didn't specify brand, size or make or type of fridge:

(595mm depth)
https://www.lg.com/my/refrigerators/lg-gc-b369nlrm

(656mm depth)
https://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/home-...-bc360xsmy.html

https://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/home-...-bl381psmy.html

Certain models can be reversed but you need to get the authorised agents to do it.

I know my Samsung RL4003SBABS can be reversed; the door handles are on both side of the fridge but need to get Samsung to do it with cost.

https://www.samsung.com/my/refrigerators/bo...sbabs-me/#specs

Yeah have to look for models which allow this, but on hindsight, the fridge does look odd as the door handles are both on the left & right hand side.

French door is a much better option.

The ones with easiest spares availability is Panasonic; Mitsubishi is generally durable but please don't compare with refrigerators which are from the 90s or early 2000 era; those are built like tank but are most like power hoggers by today's standards.

True, we used to have a Sharp Fridge with a door pocket design that is quite poor, cannot hold more than 1 1.5l Coke Bottle; due to the door shelf is narrow towards the edge and protrude out only at the centre. Slim bottles like Pepsi can fit into the door shelf but wll stick out as the gap between the middle door shelf and lower door shelf is not sufficient.

Small details, but these are worth checking as you will be with the Fridge for at least 10 years unless there is premature death due to major fault. Otherwise, imagine keep cursing the poor fridge and the designer who designed it, everyday until it dies or given away.

We are using bottom Freezer but door type bottom freezer with individual drawers. The Freezer storage is much more neater and organised compared to top freezer open shelf design.

One is Samsung RL4323RBABS and the other is French Door Hitachi WB850P5M.

For Samsung, you can change the top side drawer to glass shelf (if needed)

Pros: Easier to access vegetable drawer and refrigerator items are at eye level without the need to bend daily.

Cons: None so far; as my mom appreciates the bottom freezer design now; easy to access the vege drawer.

You can go for Samsung (315L):

https://www.samsung.com/my/refrigerators/bo...rb30n4050b1-me/

Panasonic( 322L to 358L):
https://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/home-...-bv320xsmy.html
https://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/home-...-bc360xsmy.html


LG (306L):
https://www.lg.com/my/refrigerators/lg-gc-b369nlrm

True especially for high wattage equipment like Kettle, Induction Stove, Hot plate, Oven etc; Even for fridge it is advisable to use direct connection or a high quality extension with solid copper wiring in it (not the cheap 3-port plug in or extension; as it can be a fire hazard).

Wire meltdown due to heat stress will not happen immediately, and once detected it can be too late (ie already caused fire or some damage)

Is it inverter fridge? Do pull it forward and check the copper tubing running from the compressor into the drip tray / pan. If its broken, you are still covered by 10 year warranty for the compressor but all labor cost on the repair + gas refill is to be borne by you.

Also, do switch off the fridge to avoid further issues.

We had similar issue with our Hitachi Fridge and took them to consumer court, as our fridge broke down exactly 1 week after its 5th year anniversary and according to Hitachi, the damage was beyond repair. They insist we take another fridge of the exact same model from Hitachi at 50% cost, which we refused and requested for another model with 50% discount, which they refused. Even counter proposed to them; to just give us a smaller fridge for free but that also they refused.

After two months of being without a fridge, just before the Tribunal hearing; they relented and gave us a new fridge.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 23 2021, 09:06 AM

True, especially during this MCO and everyone I believe have stock of meat and vege for 2 weeks. If fail, really panic mode.

I suffered similar issue with Hitachi, the tube leaked, sucked in water and rendered the whole fridge into a junk; in less than 5 years.

Filed case with consumer tribunal and won the case, Hitachi gave us a new replacement fridge with a surat aku janji that I will not raise case against them should a similar issue happen on the replacement fridge.

Older fridge didn't have this design of the copper tubing being submerged in water, somewhere along the way the designers found a smart way to make the fridge die a natural death by 6 - 10 years.