Just had my 10+ year old Kenmore washer serviced last Friday. Was asking this very question to the serviceman. His answer was, Kenmore washers and dryers are now made by LG. And that they are very reliable (unlike when LG first started making appliances). However, the LG refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves are not good at all. He said the front loaders are just fine, doesn't have that many more service calls than top loaders. (But IMHO, that is because most of the front loaders are fairly new and most of the top loaders are older.) He also said to stay away from the Samsung washers and dryers.