I bought a Superba S/S model KSRA22ILWH3 over a year ago (April 05) from KA's (i.e. Whirlpool) warehouse in Laval Quebec. I have no issues with clearance, plenty of space all around. This July it stopped cooling properly, so had to call in for servicing. 86$ later, the technician added some freon. Two days ago, same issue. New technitian comes in (Wirlpool qualified, 26 year veteran) and tells me that this is a very bad design with the cooling pipes/venting being at the bottom & next to impossible to reach for cleaning. He said the compressor is overheating and has flashed the system with oil which makes it very difficult to cool. I would need to have the coils flashed to get the oil out & change the compressor $600). Then it would need cleaning (at least twice a year) using special equipment (~$100 each time). His advice. Get rid of it and buy a new unit. His words: "sh..ty design".
I bought this unit refurbished (the technitian told me they changed the compressor) which means it came with only 1 year warranty and am now stuck. I called KA and they asked me to fax a description of the technitian's evaluation. Then they'll think about it.
I can't help but think they have dealt in bad faith and that they are aware of their bad design and the fact that there is virtually no access to the coils underneath and threfore the need for special cleaning equipment. This model is a disaster waiting to happen.