Kenmore Elite 11173312120 refrigerator Parts

To raise your Kenmore Elite refrigerator model 11173312120 off the floor, we adjust the front leveling legs (or rollers, if equipped) to lift the front corners until the cabinet is level and the doors align correctly. This is the intended way to gain a small amount of height and stability.

The manual for model 11173312120 describes leveling by turning the leveling legs with the provided wrench. Use this approach first because it keeps the refrigerator stable and properly supported.

• Pull open the freezer compartment and remove the upper drawer and lower drawer basket to access the leveling legs (as outlined in the owner's manual).
• Turn the leveling leg counterclockwise to raise the front corner.
• Turn the leveling leg clockwise to lower the front corner.
• Raise both front corners evenly, then fine-tune until the cabinet is level.
• Reinstall the baskets/drawers and open and close the freezer several times to confirm smooth operation.

Once the cabinet is level, you can correct uneven door height using the hinge adjustment described for this model.

• If the refrigerator door is too low, turn the middle-hinge screw nut counterclockwise to raise it.
• If the refrigerator door is too high, turn the screw nut clockwise to lower it.
• Recheck gasket contact and door swing after each small adjustment.

A platform is only for special situations (for example, clearing a floor lip or protecting flooring). Most of the time, leveling legs provide all the lift you need.

• Use a rigid, fully supported base (not soft foam or uneven shims).
• Keep the refrigerator level front-to-back and side-to-side.
• Maintain airflow clearance around the cabinet and at the toe-kick area.

Proper leveling prevents door misalignment, reduces vibration, helps the doors seal correctly, and supports consistent cooling performance in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Last updated: February 2026

Your refrigerator’s model is Kenmore ELITE 111.7331* (the “*” represents the color number). On the appliance, the model/serial tag is typically on an inside wall of the fresh food section or freezer, or behind the lower crisper drawer or kick plate. See the owner's manual for the exact model identification format.

Check these common locations on Kenmore bottom-mount refrigerators:

• Inside the fresh food compartment on a side wall (often near the top)
• Inside the freezer compartment on a side wall
• On the wall behind the lower crisper drawer (remove the drawer to look)
• Behind the toe grille or kick plate at the bottom front
• Along the door frame area (open the door and inspect the frame)

For this Kenmore Elite bottom-freezer platform, the Use & Care Guide lists the model family as 111.7331*.

Using the exact model number (including the ending digits) helps us match the correct refrigerator parts, diagrams, and troubleshooting steps for your Kenmore Elite refrigerator, especially for items like the water filter, ice maker components, and control board.

• Write down the full model number and serial number exactly as shown
• Include all digits after 111.7331 (those often identify the specific version/finish)
• If the label is hard to read, take a clear photo and zoom in

Last updated: February 2026

A Kenmore Elite 11173312120 bottom-mount refrigerator typically lasts 10 to 15 years. You usually reach the higher end when the condenser coils stay clean, door gaskets seal tightly, and the refrigerator has steady airflow and correct temperatures (37°F fresh food, 0°F freezer). See the maintenance schedule in the 11173312120 owner's manual.

Most refrigerators in this class land in the 10 to 15 year range; the biggest swing factors are heat load, airflow, and how hard the sealed system has to work.

• Condenser coil condition (dust and pet hair raise compressor run time)
• Door gasket seal (warm air leaks create frost and temperature swings)
• Room temperature and ventilation (tight cabinets trap heat)
• Ice maker and water system upkeep (filters, leaks, inlet valve issues)
• Defrost performance (excess frost strains fans and cooling)

These are the highest-impact habits for a Kenmore bottom-mount refrigerator.

• Vacuum or brush the condenser area regularly
• Keep doors closed as much as possible; avoid propping doors open
• Confirm the unit is level so doors self-close
• Replace the water filter on schedule and flush after replacement
• Keep vents inside the compartments unblocked by food packages

Once a refrigerator is past about 10 years, small issues (dirty coils, weak gasket seal, restricted airflow) can push the compressor and fans to run longer. That increases energy use and accelerates wear on the sealed refrigerant system, which is the most expensive category of repair.

If you see a control-panel code or cooling-related alert, use our model-family troubleshooting reference: Kenmore 111 model bottom freezer refrigerator error codes. For water filter guidance, use: how to replace the water filter in a Kenmore refrigerator.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems we see with the Kenmore Elite 11173312120 bottom-mount refrigerator include not cooling or running warm (often demo mode, door openings, or restricted condenser vents), food freezing in the fresh-food section, door sealing/closing issues, ice and water problems, and normal operating noises. Use the owner's manual troubleshooting guide to match the symptom to the correct fix.

• Not cooling at all: power issue, demo mode enabled, or unit is in a defrost cycle (wait about 30 minutes).
• Too warm: frequent/long door openings, hot installation area (do not operate above 110°F), or recently installed or moved (allow up to 24 hours).
• Food freezing in refrigerator: items near an air vent, or temperature set too cold.
• Doors pop open or won’t close: bins/shelves out of position, food packages blocking, or unit not level.
• Noises: pulsating or high-pitched sounds can be normal while running.

• Confirm demo mode is off (lights and display work but cooling is disabled).
• After install or relocation, wait up to 24 hours for temperatures to stabilize.
• Vacuum the condenser cover and vents; do not remove the condenser area panel.
• Reduce door-open time; warm, humid air quickly raises temps.
• Re-seat bins and shelves so doors close fully; clean sticky gaskets.

On model 11173312120, many “failure” complaints trace back to settings, airflow, or installation conditions. Starting with the built-in troubleshooting steps prevents unnecessary part replacement.

For display codes, use Kenmore 111 model bottom freezer refrigerator error codes.

Last updated: February 2026

Yes. Kenmore Elite is Kenmore’s premium tier, and model 11173312120 is explicitly labeled “Kenmore Elite” in the Use & Care Guide; it also includes connected-ready smart features (Kenmore Smart app support) and Smart Grid energy-management capability. Feature details and operating basics are in the owner's manual.

For the Kenmore Elite 11173312120 bottom-mount refrigerator, “high end” shows up most clearly in its electronic controls and smart connectivity features.

Common premium indicators for this model include:

• Kenmore Elite branding and feature set
• Connected-ready design for remote monitoring and control (Kenmore Smart app)
• Smart Grid (demand response) energy-management function
• Expanded electronic controls, indicators, and troubleshooting guidance

If your refrigerator displays an error code, use a guide that matches the 111 model family and bottom-freezer design. We recommend starting with Kenmore 111 model bottom freezer refrigerator error codes.

Premium features add convenience and efficiency options, but they also add electronics (control board, sensors, user interface). When performance changes, we use the built-in indicators and the manual’s troubleshooting steps first.

• Confirm smart feature requirements and setup steps in the owner's manual
• If the SMART icon LED is off, re-check Wi-Fi setup and router signal strength
• If cooling seems uneven, verify door sealing and temperature settings before replacing parts
• For water and ice issues, follow the water line and water filter instructions in the manual

Last updated: February 2026