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Water Filter for the Maytag MFT2976AEW03 (EDR2RXD2)
✓ 100% compatible — no bypass plug needed
🔧 5-min push-in swap
🇺🇸 Ships from Indiana
Every cartridge that fits this model — pulled live from the catalogue:
✓
MFT2976AEW03 specifics — where the filter actually lives
On the MFT2976AEW03, the cartridge inside the fresh-food cavity, upper zone in most French-door builds, the same estate every French-door refrigerator in this family uses. It is a twist-lock bay: look for the index lugs, offer the cartridge, and rotate until they disappear into the housing.
Practical notes from the install forums: flush before the first glass — new carbon beds shed fines for the first gallon or so, which is cosmetic, not contamination. MFT reads as a chassis statement rather than a trim code: in this catalog MFT is the French-door marker; internal layouts vary, the bay layout does not. The -03 tail tracks the revision ladder — each rung shares the identical EDR2RXD2 bay.
MFT vs MSD — what the prefix tells you
Same parts shelf, two cabinet missions — MFT machines are French-door; MSD machines are side-by-side. Both draw from the same cartridge line, which is why fit charts list them together. By model-code convention the MFT2976AEW03 falls around 2012 to 2016; treat the dates as a working estimate, not record.
Swap it in 5 minutes
- Twist the old cartridge a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it straight down — keep a towel in reach for the dribble.
- Fill the new cartridge with cold tap water so the chamber is not fighting an air pocket.
- Offer the new cartridge to the bay, push up, and twist a quarter turn clockwise until the stop catches.
- Run two gallons through the dispenser to flush carbon fines, then hold the filter-reset control until the status light clears.
What this filter takes out of your water
| What it targets | Standard that covers it |
|---|---|
| Chlorine taste & odor | NSF/ANSI 42 — aesthetic effects |
| Particulates, Class I | NSF/ANSI 42 — fine sediment |
| Lead | NSF/ANSI 53 — health effects |
| Cysts (cryptosporidium, giardia) | NSF/ANSI 53 — microbial |
| PFOA & PFOS | NSF/ANSI 53 (P473) — varies by cartridge |
Coverage above lists what the standard addresses, not a performance claim for any specific cartridge — removal claims vary by certificate, so check the NSF listing for the exact part number you are buying.
MFT2976AEW03 filter questions
Clearing the filter status light on a Maytag MFT2976AEW03?
With the new cartridge seated, press and hold the filter reset until the light clears — panel placement differs, so the MFT2976AEW03 manual’s filter section has the exact control for your trim.
Can I run the Maytag MFT2976AEW03 with no cartridge installed?
No cap needed — the EDR2RXD2 bay passes water unfiltered while empty; it does not leak, it just skips filtration.
Are off-brand filters safe for a Maytag refrigerator?
Certified aftermarket cartridges are built to the same NSF test standards as the OEM part, and federal warranty law (Magnuson-Moss) protects your coverage when you use them.
Why is the OEM EDR2RXD2 cartridge so much more expensive?
Part of the OEM price is the badge and the distribution chain. Certified alternatives meet the same test standards at a lower unit price, especially in multi-packs.
How often should I replace the filter in my MFT2976AEW03?
Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the EDR2RXD2 class cartridges all share that service interval.
Do I need to turn off the water supply to change it?
No — the bay is designed for a live swap. Expect a small dribble, keep a towel in reach, and flush a couple of gallons through the new cartridge before the first glass.
Every filter that fits your fridge
This bay takes the OEM EDR2RXD2. ClearFit verified-fit alternatives for this exact slot are being staged — every compatible option for your fridge is one lookup away.
Check every filter that fits →This filter expires six months from today
Your HVAC filter is probably on a different cycle. Track them all in one place.
months until this filter should be replaced (200-gal rated life)
Free tool · tracks fridge + HVAC + whole-house · auto-refill optional
More models using this filter
Related guides
POPULAR GUIDE
How to change a Whirlpool refrigerator water filter
Every Filter 1–6 bay location — including the door-mounted bays on WRX models, with door-open angles and cap-release quirks. — read the guide →
POPULAR GUIDE
How to reset your Whirlpool filter light
Filter 1–6 indicator maps showing which key actually clears the light on your panel. — read the guide →
WATER PROBLEM GUIDE
Does your fridge filter remove fluoride?
What EDR1RXD1-class carbon blocks actually take out — and the systems that do remove fluoride. — read the guide →