Siemens “Self-Cleaning” Dryer Requires Expensive Annual Maintenance

I purchased a Siemens dryer that was marketed as having a self-cleaning feature. I paid a significantly higher price compared to other brands because I trusted the quality and reliability of Siemens.

After just one year, the machine started showing a “water tank full” warning. I called for service, and I was told the unit required maintenance cleaning and that having a dog at home contributed to the issue. However, dryers are often marketed specifically to households with pets. I was informed that this maintenance must be performed regularly—essentially meaning I would need to pay for this cleaning every year. I had no choice but to proceed and pay for the service.

In November 2025, I was contacted and asked if I wanted to extend my warranty. I agreed and paid for the extended warranty. Now, in February 2026, the same issue occurred again. When I called for service, they came and once again told me that the machine needed cleaning, this time charging $155 for the service. On top of that, they charged $29 just to come out and tell me that cleaning was required.

If this situation occurred abroad, these machines would likely be recalled. Here, however, the entire burden is placed on the consumer. You cannot sell a dryer as “self-cleaning” and then demand excessive annual maintenance fees. You also cannot charge customers for an extended warranty and then demand additional service fees just to diagnose a recurring issue.

I specifically chose this machine and paid more than I would have for other brands to avoid problems. Instead, it has caused repeated issues for years, and the company continues to charge high fees for what appears to be a product defect.

Either this machine should be officially recognized as defective and recalled, or customers should be given at least one free annual cleaning service.

I will be reporting Siemens Turkey’s practices both to Consumer Rights authorities and to the Siemens headquarters in Germany.