Kenmore Water Heater Warranty Guide
Manufactured by Various OEM manufacturers (previously Sears) · Warranty info last verified: March 2026
Kenmore water heaters are manufactured by Various OEM manufacturers (previously Sears). This guide covers 2 product lines: the Standard Residential (prior to 2018) and Premium Residential (prior to 2018). Across those lines, tank or heat exchanger coverage climbs from 9 years on the Standard Residential (prior to 2018) to 12 years on the Premium Residential (prior to 2018), parts reach 12 years, and labor runs up to 1 year. The warranty stays with the original owner and does not transfer to later owners, and claims run through 800-536-6673.
Quick Warranty Facts
Tank / H.E. Coverage
9–12 years
Parts Coverage
12 years max
Labor Coverage
1 year
Transferable
No
Extended Warranty
N/A
Registration Required
Recommended
Warranty by Product Line
Coverage periods vary by model series. Check your model against the table below.
| Product Line | Tank / H.E. | Parts | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Residential (prior to 2018) Most Kenmore water heaters sold at Sears carried 9-year tank warranties. Manufactured by A.O. Smith or Rheem depending on era. | 9 yr | 9 yr | 1 yr |
Premium Residential (prior to 2018) Higher-end Kenmore models featured 12-year tank warranties. | 12 yr | 12 yr | 1 yr |
How to Register Your Kenmore Water Heater
There is no strict registration deadline listed for Kenmore, yet filing it is smart insurance for the 2 lines shown here. Registration puts your purchase date and installer on record so a later claim through 800-536-6673 moves faster.
You will need:
- Serial number (from the rating label)
- Model number
- Installation date
- Installer's name and contact info
- Your name and address
Keep a copy with your Kenmore paperwork in case you later call 800-536-6673.
What's Covered
- Defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use
- Standard Residential (prior to 2018): 9-year tank coverage, 9-year parts, and 1-year labor
- Premium Residential (prior to 2018): 12-year tank coverage, 12-year parts, and 1-year labor
What's NOT Covered
Kenmore lists 4 situations that fall outside coverage on its 2 lines:
- Units manufactured after Sears bankruptcy (2018) may have limited warranty support
- Improper installation
- Sediment and scale damage
- Labor after year one
How to File a Kenmore Warranty Claim
- 1
Locate the serial number on the rating label
- 2
Contact Kenmore support at 800-536-6673 - note that support options have become limited since Sears' 2018 bankruptcy
- 3
Identify the original OEM manufacturer (A.O. Smith or Rheem) from the serial number format
- 4
Contact the original OEM directly for parts and service support
Kenmore warranty line: 800-536-6673
Warranty Transferability: No
Warranty is for the original purchaser only.
Bought a home that came with a Kenmore unit? Because Kenmore coverage stays with the first owner, the remaining warranty probably did not follow the sale to you, even if the calendar time has not expired. To confirm, decode the serial with our free tool for the manufacture date, then call the Kenmore line at 800-536-6673 (labor help is limited to 1 year from install).
Additional Notes
Kenmore water heaters were sold exclusively at Sears stores and were manufactured by A.O. Smith or Rheem depending on the model and era. Following Sears' 2018 bankruptcy reorganization, Kenmore warranty support has become limited. If your unit is older than 10 years or Sears/Kenmore support is unavailable, contact A.O. Smith (800-527-1953) or Rheem (800-374-8806) to identify if they manufactured your unit based on the serial number format.
Kenmore Warranty FAQ
How many years does the Kenmore tank warranty last?
Kenmore tank or heat exchanger coverage ranges from 9 to 12 years, from the Standard Residential (prior to 2018) up to the Premium Residential (prior to 2018). Parts are covered for up to 12 years and labor for up to 1 year.
Can I transfer a Kenmore water heater warranty to a new owner?
No. Kenmore warranties are not transferable. Warranty is for the original purchaser only.
How do I check whether my Kenmore water heater is still under warranty?
Decode your serial number with our free tool at WaterHeaterChecker.com to find the manufacture date, then compare it against the coverage for your line (Standard Residential (prior to 2018) and Premium Residential (prior to 2018)). You can also call Kenmore at 800-536-6673 with your serial number.
What voids a Kenmore water heater warranty?
Common warranty voiding issues for Kenmore include: Units manufactured after Sears bankruptcy (2018) may have limited warranty support; Improper installation; Sediment and scale damage.
Does Kenmore sell an extended warranty for the Standard Residential (prior to 2018) and Premium Residential (prior to 2018)?
The Standard Residential (prior to 2018) and Premium Residential (prior to 2018) carry only the standard Kenmore factory warranty shown above; no separate extended plan is listed. Ask about dealer coverage when you call 800-536-6673.
What should I do if my Kenmore water heater fails under warranty?
Locate the serial number on the rating label. Then contact Kenmore support at 800-536-6673 - note that support options have become limited since Sears' 2018 bankruptcy. The Kenmore warranty line is 800-536-6673.
More for Your Kenmore Water Heater
Not sure which of Kenmore's 2 lines you have?
Coverage differs across Kenmore's lines, so decode your serial number to find the manufacture date and match it to the right 2-line warranty range above.
Decode Your Kenmore Serial NumberThe 2 coverage figures shown above were last verified in March 2026 and are provided as a helpful reference only. Warranty terms are set by Kenmore and may change at any time. Always refer to the warranty certificate that came with your water heater for the definitive terms of your coverage. WaterHeaterChecker.com is not affiliated with Kenmore or Various OEM manufacturers (previously Sears).