About 4 years ago, I bought their highest-rated front-load washer and dryer. The dryer broke right after the one-year warranty period. I quickly bought an extended warranty. The warranty provider said parts were no longer available for that model. The manufacturer ended up refunding the dryer. I'm still using the "free" dryer, although the display no longer works. The washer sometimes refuses to recognize that the door is closed. It also sometimes runs long enough to dispense the detergent, drain, then prematurely end the cycle thereby wasting the detergent!
I usually find CR's vehicle ratings and reliability reports to be somewhat accurate, but their other product reviews are lacking. One problem is manufacturer fragmentation. One model of appliance might be the best ever while the model above or below or the preceding or replacement model might be totally different. As quickly as products change, by the time they've reviewed something it's often near the end of its life and has been replaced by a different model. There are also a LOT of holes in their product review lineups. Take televisions, for example... There may have tested 50 of them when there are 500 on the market and half of the 50 they tested have already been discontinued.
CR provides another data point and perspective, but little more. I used to be a long-time subscriber to CR, but found that I tend to do as well or better selecting a product on my own.
