GE built refrigerators that outlasted marriages and mortgages, but that company sold in 2016 and the new owner hasn't fixed the known problems. French-door models fail systematically: the fridge compartment won't hold safe temperatures (43-49°F when milk spoils at 40°F) while the freezer works fine, a sealed-system fault that costs as much as replacement. Basic top-freezer models without ice makers hold up better, but you're still buying a nameplate that once meant indestructible and now means service calls. If you find a pre-2000 unit secondhand, grab it; if you're buying new, the score reflects the gap between the badge and what actually arrives.
Thermador sells you a Bosch 800 with upgraded handles and a luxury badge at double the price, banking on the pro aesthetic and dual-compressor engineering. The problem is concrete and expensive: evaporator fans and compressors fail on units just past their two-year warranty, leaving the fridge compartment at 50°F while repair quotes run $475 to $4000, and Consumer Reports ranks Thermador below mid-range brands for reliability. Buy this only if you need the built-in look for a high-end kitchen remodel and can budget for specialist service calls, or if you find a steep open-box discount that cushions the risk. Everyone chasing appliance longevity should walk.