Kenmore is not a manufacturer; it is a Sears house brand. To decode a Kenmore serial number, you must first identify who actually built the appliance. This is done by looking at the first three digits of the **model number** (the prefix before the dot). For example, 110 is Whirlpool, 795 is LG, and 253 is Frigidaire. Once you have the builder, you apply that manufacturer's specific serial decoding rules to find the age.
The 3-Digit Model Prefix
The key to the "Kenmore code" is the 3-digit prefix found at the start of every Kenmore model number. This prefix identifies which Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) built the unit for Sears.
Location: The model number is usually on the same rating plate as the serial number, often formatted as XXX.YYYYYYYY.
The Master Builder Map
| Prefix | Manufacturer | Serial Format to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 110, 106, 562 | Whirlpool | Whirlpool 9-digit |
| 253 | Frigidaire | Frigidaire 3rd-digit-year | LG | LG last-digit-year |
| 363, 364, 665 | GE | GE month-year letter |
| 417 | Electrolux | Electrolux YYWW |
| 587 | Bosch | Bosch FD code |
Step-by-Step Decoding
- Find the model number on the rating plate.
- Identify the first three digits. In
110.12345678, the prefix is 110. - Match the prefix to the builder (110 = Whirlpool).
- Apply the builder's rules to the serial number. For a 110-prefix unit, the 2nd character of the serial is the year.
Kenmore and Sears History
Kenmore has been a staple of American homes since 1927. While Sears filed for bankruptcy in 2018, the Kenmore brand survived and is currently owned by Transformco. Because Kenmore sourced from so many different builders (including now-defunct ones like Maytag-era Amana and various Asian OEMs), they represent the most complex category for home inspectors and warranty adjusters to date accurately.