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Consumers have been quite vocal about problems they’ve had with Trane HVAC systems. Despite the company’s catchphrase, “It’s Hard to Stop a Trane,” many customers say it’s even more difficult to keep one working. Defective parts or poor workmanship can contribute to a high failure rate of most any appliance.
Trane HVAC Reviews
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has lodged more than 200 complaints regarding Trane brand units.
One consumer writes that just seven months after installation, the Train A/C unit needed a new coil. Trane allegedly told the consumer that they had no proper replacement coils in stock and did not know when they would be restocked. Trane also purportedly told the consumer they would have to pay more than $600 to fix the unit, but the consumer doesn’t feel they should pay anything due to how new the unit is.
Another consumer wrote that they experienced failed evaporator coils six times in 10 years of owning two different Trane A/C units. Despite trying copper, aluminum and Trane-coated coils, the longest the coils tend to last is about 2.5 years. The consumer said Trane most recently recommended the consumer pay the full expense of taking the coils to a third party company and having a coating added to the new coils. The consumer wrote, “This is crazy! Why can’t you just make them last longer and not have to send them somewhere else to get coated?”
More reviews at the Consumer Affairs website point to cheap parts and unsatisfactory customer assistance.
One consumer wrote, “Expensive junk – deceptive customer service,” regarding a Trane split system she and her husband had installed as part of a renovation project at their home. She said the unit always “functioned erratically” and the contractor said that’s either how the unit works for that the couple wasn’t using the system correctly. In December 2018, the condenser quit after condensation completely iced over the unit.
She thought they had a three-year warranty, but found out that the product had never been registered for the warranty, and the one-year basic warranty had expired. Upon contacting Trane, the most that allegedly was offered to the couple was 15% off a new unit, which she and her husband agreed was not satisfactory.
Trane Heater and Air Conditioner Issues
One Las Vegas HVAC company actually addresses on its website why it will not promote Trane products.
Fast Affordable Air has found fault with Trane compressors that fail too quickly, a relatively new issue the Vegas HVAC servicer blames on outsourcing that has most likely resulted in poorly manufactured compressors.
The Trane heater still uses a clamshell design that consists of a variety of different metal densities, which can lead to cracking when the metallic areas heat and cool at different rates. The clamshell configuration also leads to a noisier unit, especially compared to different models that use a tubular designed heat exchanger, says Fast Affordable Air.
Trane’s alleged decisions to reduce their own warranties and to require servicers to pay for replacement parts up front have resulted in many local service companies to either greatly limit their own labor warranty on Trane units or to simply stop selling or servicing Trane heater and air conditioner units altogether.
Kevin L., an HVAC servicer, responded to the website article, saying in part, “I’ve been in the business for 44 years and have worked for Trane among others. I too can no longer recommend Trane.”
Have Any Trane Lawsuits Been Filed?
Earlier this year, Trane agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement after a number of Trane and American Standard air conditioning units failed. The affected machines were coated with an unauthorized rust inhibitor, which plaintiffs alleged caused the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) to become gummy and stick.
To remedy the issue, Trane allegedly had service personnel add an acidic solution to the TXV instead of replacing the valve, a stop-gap measure that plaintiffs alleged could have shortened the life of the compressor.
Trane admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to the settlement, which included reimbursement of previous repair expenses and an extended warranty for qualifying compressors. As part of the settlement, current and former owners also received the cost of labor for an authorized additive to be injected into the units that still may experience the sticky TXV.
What Can I Do If I Have Purchased a Trane?
If you live in California and have purchased a Trane HVAC system in the past several months, you could benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney. Trane currently is a company under investigation for possible consumer rights violations committed in the state of California.
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97 thoughts onTrane HVAC Reviews: Product Defects Reported
Please add me to the list also. I have had a Trane unit since 2015 same problems as others have stated leak in the evaporator coil.
Me too,,,,now, i am told the baffler has to be replace and a plastic panel, which was duct taped when installed.I have had nothing but problems since 2015
We are in the same situation. System unusable since January 2022 – adding freon, leak tests, etc. All paid for by us. Now they tell me it is the coil and another $1300 to replace. We purchased two new systems for $14,000 in June 2018. It’s about to get hot in Virginia, and we have no air. After the initial call opening the case, Trane has been very difficult to talk with and very accusing to me.
In October 2018 I purchased a 5 ton Trane Heating and AC unit from a local Trane dealer. I had a text stating the model numbers of both units. During Installation I checked the numbers on the side of the boxes and discovered that they had installed a 4 ton heating unit to match the 5 ton AC. Three compressors have failed. The first one was under warranty and the second one last year cost me 1000 dollars. This week the third compressor has failed. The repair guy states that it looks like they paired a 4 ton ac with a 5 ton heat which could be a mis match. Even he cannot figure out why the system keeps blowing compressors. I am thinking now, I don’t want another trane. I do not know what to do and I am very Hot. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.
I had two brand new Trane units. Replaced coils in both of my Trane units ( 2 times) .
In 6 years we’ve been though 4 coils. Last replacement was made with coated coils, that i had to wait forever to get installed ( in July – in Florida heat. I will never purchase another Trane, no recommend to anyone. The service has been awful and I have spent several thousand dollars labor, diagnostics, leak tests , and refrigerant. Coils lasting only 1.5 – 3 years.
Had dual compressor Trane heat pump installed in 2012. Evaporator was replaced under warranty. In 2020 condenser coil replaced at $813.00 expense to me. In 2022 a leak in evaporator line ended up costing me $914.00
Arctic Air of Northern Florida WAS my installer/service company, but not any longer.
Have had a trane for a year and a half. It has caused nothing but problems. It keeps freezing up . We change the air filter’s monthly but it’s still freezing up. No one will assist. I am in sw Florida please help.
Purchased a 3.5 ton Trane in Florida on Oct. 2019. From day one I kept smelling a heavy, chemical, sweet but obnoxious odor in the house. I called United to ask about the smell and they assured me it wasn’t anything. The smell became so offensive I called them back again to send a technician to check the Trane unit out. The tech. “looked” inside but did not check it for leaks ( with a leak detector). I have had to deal with the smell and after a yr. the unit stopped working. The repairman said I had a broken wire. How do you get a broken wire inside a closed unit ? Two more preventive maintenance checks and now the unit isn’t working because the coils were leaking and need to be replaced. I have a 10 yr. warranty on parts but have to pay an awful bill for LABOR. I don’t feel I should have to pay anything because the coil was probably defective when they installed it. I’ve had to breathe that R410A for 2 1/2 yrs. I am lucky to be alive. When I complained to United about the leaking coils she said that there couldn’t have been any smell !!! I said then you should have been here breathing this pollution NOT me. I expected better from TRANE. Soooo disappointed and feel cheated .Sign me up for that lawsuit
I built a custom and moved in at the end of 2019.
The coil leaked all the freon out February 2022 and had to be replaced. The dealer felt sorry for me as I am a senior lady and gave me a good price of $975.00.
I ask Trane to absorb this. After much stress and jumping thru their hoops several times they offer me a small sum to sign off.
I will not do this. I had sent them an article that they had made defective coils between 2017 and 2019.
I am giving my email address if anyone knows of a class action suit I would appreciate hearing from you.
This is not fair… juanotab@aol.com.
I bought a TRANE in Sept 20, the coil failed within 18 months, freon leaked into my home, I was responsible for $1200 in repairs, TRANE stated that it was a “disputed and doubtful claim” and offered me a “goodwill” gesture to cover a quarter of the cost and requested I sign a release not to talk about this product failure. The release also indicated that I would not be able to make any claims in the future for this product. When I questioned this, TRANE Consumer Relations advised that even though it said no future claims would be honored, the original warranty would still be honored. I asked them to write this in the release and they declined.
New Trane XR installed 2+ years ago. Refrigerant leaked out of the evaporator coil and shut down the system. New coil just installed today at the cost of $1500. Need reliable A/C here in SW Florida. Very disappointed in Trane and hope this fix lasts. Add me to the list.