Thermador’s dishwasher tells you a lot before anyone opens a panel. Its E codes separate a clogged drain you can clear yourself from a leak that needs a technician, and Thermador publishes what each one means. San Jose Appliance Care connects homeowners with local companies for Thermador appliance repair in San Jose, Cupertino, Mountain View and nearby cities: dishwashers, Star burner ranges and rangetops, wall ovens, induction cooktops and Freedom column refrigerators. Tell us the appliance, the model number and the code or symptom, and we’ll put you through to a company that works on Thermador. If you need a Thermador factory-certified technician in particular, ask the company that question on the call.
Thermador dishwasher codes: which ones you can fix
Start with the code. Thermador groups its dishwasher errors by cause, and several are owner-fixable.
| Code | What Thermador says it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| E12 | Limescale build-up in the heat pump | Run a descaler; use softener salt if the model has a water softener |
| E14 | Flow meter failure or a fill system issue | Contact Thermador support |
| E15 | Water detected in the base; leak protection active | Turn off the water supply, then get service |
| E16 / E17 | Water can’t enter or the fill system has an issue | Check the inlet hose for kinks or damage |
| E18 | Water level too low or not pumping correctly | Check the inlet hose and make sure the supply valve is fully open |
| E23 | Drain pump blocked, clogged or faulty | Contact Thermador support |
| E24 / E25 | Drain pump blocked, cover loose, filter or hose clogged | Clean the pump area, seat the cover, clear the hose |
| E27 | Supply voltage too low | Have an electrician check the home’s voltage |
For the drain codes, Thermador’s steps are to remove the drain pump cover, take out standing water and loose debris, and click the cover back in so it’s fully closed. Then check that the drain hose isn’t bent, and clear the air gap or disconnect the hose into a bucket to flush it. Most other codes on Thermador’s list, such as control board relay faults, heat pump heater faults and door sensor circuit faults, come with one instruction: switch the breaker off for 30 seconds, and call if that doesn’t clear it.
E15 deserves its own note. The dishwasher has stopped itself because water reached the base pan, so something is leaking inside the cabinet. Don’t keep resetting it. Shut off the water to the dishwasher and book the repair. The full cross-brand list lives in our appliance error code library, and general symptoms are on the dishwasher repair page.
What the Thermador warranty covers, by appliance
Thermador lists a two-year limited warranty, parts and labor, on the entire appliance across its categories. Two categories get extra coverage.
Built-in refrigerators
Sealed system parts (compressor, evaporator, condenser, dryer/strainer and connecting tubing) are covered for parts and labor from year three to year six, then parts only from year seven to year twelve. Rust-through on the stainless steel door and inner liner is covered for life, parts only.
Dishwashers
Electronics (the microprocessor or printed circuit board) and racks are covered for parts only from year two to year five. Rust-through on the inner tub and the stainless door is covered for life, parts only.
Thermador tells owners to check the owner manual or warranty supplement for the exact terms on their model, because they vary. Warranty work goes through Thermador. Its service page lets you schedule a repair, and its Servicer Finder uses your model number to point you to a Thermador factory service technician or an authorized servicer. Keep your proof of purchase handy; the technician uses it to confirm coverage.
Thermador recalls on older ovens and dishwashers
Two recalls are worth checking on appliances that came with an older home.
Built-in ovens, expanded January 2010. About 37,000 Thermador built-in ovens (models C272B, C302B, SEC272, SEC302, SECD272 and SECD302, serials FD8403 through FD8701, made June 2004 through July 2007) could have gaps in the insulation. In self-clean mode, that could overheat and ignite nearby cabinets. CPSC told owners to stop using self-clean and contact Thermador for a free inspection and repair.
Dishwashers, October 2015. BSH Home Appliances recalled about 149,000 dishwashers under the Bosch, Gaggenau, Kenmore Elite and Thermador names, made January 2008 through December 2013, because the power cord could overheat. The remedy was a free inspection and repair.
Professional, Masterpiece and Freedom: why the line matters
Thermador sells its kitchen in two collections. The Professional Collection is the pro-style look: stainless steel, Star burners and high-BTU performance, with ExtraLow simmer on the ranges. The Masterpiece Collection is flush-installed with touch controls, Home Connect Wi-Fi, a Pedestal Star burner on gas cooktops, and products such as the Freedom induction cooktop and steam and convection ovens. Freedom is also the name of Thermador’s column refrigeration line.
The line changes the repair. A Star burner on a Professional range involves gas valves, igniters and a spark module. A Freedom induction cooktop is an electronics job. A Freedom column is built-in refrigeration with a sealed system, so it falls under the long refrigeration warranty above. For symptoms on these, see oven, range and stove repair, cooktop repair and refrigerator and freezer repair.
Out of warranty? Questions for the repair company
Once the two-year term has passed and the problem isn’t a covered sealed system or rust-through part, you can hire any qualified company. We’ll connect you with a local company that works on Thermador. A few questions keep the visit clean:
- Is the company registered with California’s Bureau of Household Goods and Services? Check the number on the bureau’s License Lookup.
- Does it use genuine Thermador parts, and will it say so on the invoice?
- Will you get a written estimate before any work starts?
- Is there a diagnostic fee, and is it credited toward the repair?
For what pushes an appliance repair quote up or down, read our appliance repair cost guide.