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How old is my Bosch appliance?

Type the serial number from the Bosch label to see when it was built.

Scan insteadWhere is the label?

Example

FD9111
  • FDFD means production date
  • 91Year: 91 = 2011
  • 11Month: 11 = November

Built November 2011

14 years, 11 months old

Past typical life. Past the usual 9 to 13 year lifespan. Watch for frost building up, leaks, a failing ice maker, and food that is not staying cold.

Plan the replacement

  • Plan the replacement, and check whether your utility offers a rebate or free pickup of the old unit.
  • Before paying for a big repair, compare it with the price of a new unit. A repair over half the replacement cost is rarely worth it on an older appliance.
  • Most appliances carry a 1-year full warranty, with longer coverage on some parts like compressors or motors. The build date is a good guide when the receipt is missing.
How this was read
  1. The first two digits of the FD number, 91, are the year code.
  2. Add 20 to get the year: 91 plus 20 is 111, so 2011.
  3. The next two digits, 11, are the month: November.

Format: BSH FD production date. Sources: Electrical-Forensics: Bosch date codes, Tab-TV: Bosch FD number decoded.

Reading a Bosch serial number

Bosch dates its appliances with the FD number, not the serial. Add 20 to the first two digits for the year; the next two are the month. FD 9111 is November 2011.

Since 2020 the FD number starts with 0, so FD 0412 is December 2024.

About Bosch

  • BSH has built Bosch appliances in New Bern, North Carolina, since 1997. The plant makes dishwashers, cooktops, ranges and wall ovens.
  • BSH Home Appliances Corporation runs the US business from Irvine, California.
  • BSH began as a Bosch and Siemens joint venture. Bosch became the sole owner in January 2015.

Sources: New Bern and BSH Home Appliances Corporation celebrate 25th anniversary of BSH campus, Bosch completes acquisition of Siemens's share - Vietstock

BSH FD production date

Used 1980s to today. Example: FD9205

Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau print an FD number on the rating plate, next to the model (E-Nr). Its first two digits plus 20 give the year, and the next two are the month: FD 9205 is May 2012. Since 2020 the first digit is 0, so FD 0103 is March 2021.

Worked example: FD 9111 was built November 2011, so it is 14 years, 11 months old as of October 2026.

Sources: Electrical-Forensics: Bosch date codes, Tab-TV: Bosch FD number decoded

BSH FD production date, digits only

Used 1980s to today. Example: 9205

The four FD digits on their own, read the same way: year code plus 20, then the month.

Worked example: 9205 was built May 2012, so it is 14 years, 5 months old as of October 2026.

Sources: Electrical-Forensics: Bosch date codes, Tab-TV: Bosch FD number decoded