How to find the age of your Kenmore refrigerator

Where to find the model and serial number on your refrigerator

Start by locating the model and serial number label on your Kenmore refrigerator. On most models, both numbers appear together on the same label.

Common locations include:

• Inside the fresh food compartment on the upper side wall

• Along the ceiling of the refrigerator

• On the frame behind the crisper drawers

• Inside the freezer compartment on some models

The model number usually starts with three digits, followed by a period and additional numbers. Those first three digits determine which serial number format you’ll use to find the production date.

If the Kenmore model number starts with 106

Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 106 use a serial number format where the production date is encoded near the beginning of the serial number.

Start by looking at the first four or five characters.

Common serial number format

LLYWWxxxxx or LYWWxxxxx

• First one or two letters = production location

• Next character (letter or number) = year

• Next two digits = week of production

The year is shown as a single character. That character represents a year ending in that value, and the pattern repeats every 30 years.

Year code reference table

Examples:

RA01xxxx = was made in the first week of either 1991 or 2021.

FM644xxxx = was made in the 44th week of either 1986 or 2016.

Choosing the correct year

Because the year code repeats every 30 years, use the refrigerator’s design, controls, and features to determine which decade fits. The production date should align with when that model series was available.

For Kenmore refrigerators beginning with 253

Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 253 typically use a serial number format where the production date appears near the beginning of the serial number.

Serial number format

YWWxxxxx

• First digit = last digit of the year

• Next two digits = week of production

Example:

A serial number starting with 823 indicates a refrigerator built in week 23 of a year ending in 8.

Because only the last digit of the year is shown, use design details and features to determine the correct decade.

If your Kenmore refrigerator starts with 363

Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 363 use a serial number format where the production date is encoded at the start of the serial number using letters.

Common serial number format

The serial number typically begins with two letters:

• First letter = month

• Second letter = year

This format provides the **month and year** the refrigerator was built.

Year and month code reference for Kenmore 363 refrigerators (1990 and newer)

Choosing the correct year

Because letter codes repeat over time, use the refrigerator’s control layout, features, and overall styling to determine which year fits.

For model numbers starting with 596

Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 596 often use a serial number format where the production date is encoded early in the serial number.

Common serial number format

YWWxxxxx

• First digit = last digit of the year

• Next two digits = week of production

As with other single-digit year formats, use the refrigerator’s design and features to confirm the correct decade.

If the Kenmore refrigerator model begins with 795

Kenmore refrigerators with model numbers starting with 795 typically use a serial number format where the production date appears at the beginning of the serial number.

Typical serial number format for 795 Kenmore

YMMxxxxx

• First digit = last digit of the year

• Next two digits = month

Example:

A serial number starting with 910 indicates a refrigerator built in October of a year ending in 9.

Use the refrigerator’s controls and styling to determine the correct decade.

Confirm the age before repairing or replacing

Once you’ve decoded the production date, make sure it makes sense.

Helpful cross-checks include:

• Whether the age fits the refrigerator’s design and control layout

• Whether efficiency, features, and technology match the timeframe

• Whether the estimated age makes sense for the model series

If something doesn’t add up, revisit the serial number format before making a repair or replacement decision.