Samsung RS263TDWP 26 Cu. Ft. White Side-By-Side Refrigerator - Energy Star

• 4 Glass Shelves
• LED Lighting
• Twin Cooling System
• Six Temperature Sensors
• Power Freeze/Cool Options

Works well so far since we bought it 1.5 years ago. Two door bins have cracked, costing around $60 dollars. Our past refrigerators did not cost us much, each for more than 10 years of service. Those door bins were sturdy, from Wirlpool and GE.

More frustrating is that we cannot buy the spare parts. One of the door bins is described as "not available from the manufacturer" across the internet, including Sears Parts. Our Sears sales man told us manufacturers were supposed to keep parts available for at least 10 years by law. Go figure.

I do like the fact that the refrigerate side is not nearly as dry as the old fridges, due to the so called twin-cooing, or dual evaporator system.

Buy Samsung RS263TDWP 26 Cu. Ft. White Side-By-Side Refrigerator - Energy Star Now

This review is being written as a warning to consumers considering buying a Samsung refrigerator.

Prior to this (over a 36 year period) we've owned 2 Kenmore fridges which were reliable and durable, and gave us long service. We bought our SAUMSUNG at a Sears scratch and dent outlet. Various manufacturer's refrigerators were available for us to choose from we chose the Samsung based on price, features and design without researching the product since we had to replace our failing fridge quickly. Of course, buying in a hurry is always a gamble, and the house has the odds. We got a good price, but was it a good value? Read on and judge for yourself.

Recently our Samsung RS263TDWP circulating fan started making a noise which sounded like it was coming in contact with something. After investigating online for known issues I was disappointed to find a class action lawsuit dated October 2010 () where the plantiff complaints describe the fan noise as a precurser to complete failure of the circulating fan, heater element and cooling coils.

Specific to SAMSUNG refrigerators: the cooling coils have a heater element designed to de-ice the cooling coils from time to time. When the heater element fails the cooling coil builds up ice. If enough ice builds up it will impede the circulating fan. Once the circulating fan can no longer circulate cool air within the refrigerator the temperature rises and your food spoils.

Some people had problems within weeks, others experienced problems one, two, or three years from date of purchase. I don't recall reading about anyone having the issue greater than 5 years after buying the fridge, so I would expect a life of LESS THAN 5 years for this product. According to the class action lawsuit, the average side-by-side is expected to live ~12 years, bottom freezer models ~17 years.

Despite the recent fan noise our Samsung fridge has been functioning adequately. The ice maker works like new, and cooling is still good, but we are keeping a close watch on it. If, in fact, the circulating fan is hitting an ice build up it won't be long before the inevitable happens and the fan stops moving altogether. As this review is being written the circulating fan just turned on again and the noise coming from the refrigerator is getting louder and deeper.

Based on the class action lawsuit and potential for serious monetary losses I would advise against buying ANY SAMSUNG fridge. You'll spend more on SAMSUNG in the long run and experience frustration along the way.

IF YOU RELY ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR TO COOL LIVE-SAVING MEDICINES DO NOT BUY SAMSUNG.

Pay your money up front for a better product and save yourself the hassle and risk.