Product review (2 stars): Works, but quality is lacking.
Today I received my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/USA-MADE-Maytag-UKF7003-Replacement-Also-replaces-Whirlpool-EDR7D1-Whirpool-UFK7003AXX-Refrigerator-Water-Filters-Guaranteed-Fit-and-Function/dp/B01BP0E36K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">USA MADE Maytag UKF7003 Replacement. Also replaces Whirlpool EDR7D1, Whirpool UFK7003AXX Refrigerator Water Filters. Guaranteed Fit and Function!</a>&nbsp;and was excited to get the filter replaced since the red filter light came on the fridge. The product was wrapped in in a shrink fit saran wrap that was clearly not an airtight seal. There was no cover over the connection or anything, just the plastic wrap. I removed the plastic and went to replace on the refrigerator as always.

It was an easy installation following the directions printed on the label (1/4 turn to undo and another 1/4 turn to install). The product fit felt just like the original Maytag brand filter that was previously installed. Then I went to run the 2-5 minutes of water to clear out any filter particles and prepare the filter for use.

Upon using the filter, there were strange sounds coming from inside the refrigerator as if air was seeping into the product somehow. I thought it was simply the newness and some air that was in the filter from the factory. After about 30 seconds, I could tell it was not getting better and the product was not operating correctly. After the short runtime I went and removed the filter to see if there was something noticeably incorrect. When I did the 1/4 turn to remove it shot down with a huge amount of pressure spraying water all over the top shelf. I figured it was some mis-installation so I looked the filter over and gave it another try. Same result.

I had it and was overly frustrated. This was not the first filter installed in the refrigerator and it certainly should not work without issue right out of the packaging.

On my way to the trash, I notice a plastic o-ring sitting on the floor. After a second, it hit me that it was the top seal of the filter. It was so loose that when I took the saran wrap off the unit the ring came right with it.

I put the ring back on and re-installed the filter one last time. Viola, that was the seal where the air was seeping into the filter and causing the unit to not work correctly.

The good:
- The product does work as a replacement for the UKF7003.

The bad:
- The o-ring might be loose which speaks to the quality of the manufacturing. (A bit dangerous after it might pressurize while air is leaking in)
- The packaging doesn't seem like a very good seal with just plastic wrap and has me questioning the filter's overall quality.

Next time I'll be searching a little harder for a Maytag branded product instead of a 3rd party.