If your LG fridge just died, check what LG’s warranty still covers before you spend anything on repairs. The class-action settlement on these compressors has closed, but the compressor part itself may still be under warranty.
What the Settlement Covered, and What the Warranty Covers Now
LG faced a class action over linear compressor failures (Bentley v. LG Electronics), which received final approval in December 2020. The settlement covered refrigerators manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 and bought from an authorized retailer, and its claim window has closed. Separately, LG’s own warranty covers the linear compressor part for 10 years from the purchase date. Labor is covered only for the first 5 years.
So a compressor that fails in years 6 to 10 still gets the part from LG, but the labor bill of several hundred dollars is yours. The warranty covers only the original buyer, and LG asks for proof of purchase showing the model and date.
What it doesn’t cover: a compressor past 10 years from purchase, labor after year 5, and owners who didn’t buy the fridge new. Other parts have shorter terms: the rest of the sealed system (condenser, dryer, tubing, evaporator) gets 5 years parts and labor, and most other parts 1 year. Without a receipt, LG starts the clock 90 days after the build date in the serial.
To check your unit, visit LG’s website directly and enter your serial number, or call 1-800-243-0000. Don’t rely on secondhand information about whether your model qualifies.
Why the Linear Compressor Fails So Often
The linear compressor design was supposed to be more efficient and quieter than a conventional rotary compressor. It moves in a straight line instead of rotating, which reduces friction. In theory, that means longer life and lower energy use.
In practice, a significant number of units developed failures within five to ten years, well before the expected lifespan of a refrigerator. The failure mode is usually the same: the compressor loses its ability to compress refrigerant. The fridge stops cooling, sometimes gradually over a few days, sometimes overnight.
The root cause isn’t fully public, but field experience points to the oil return path in the linear compressor being less forgiving than in a rotary design. If the refrigerant charge isn’t exactly right (from the factory or after a prior repair), oil can migrate into parts of the system where it doesn’t belong, degrading the compressor over time. LG denied the claims in the class action but settled it in 2020.
How a Tech Diagnoses It
When I see a dead LG with a linear compressor, the diagnostic steps are pretty consistent.
First, listen to the compressor. A failing linear compressor often clicks on and runs for a short time, then shuts off. Sometimes it makes a low humming sound but never builds pressure. Sometimes it’s completely silent when it should be running.
A tech will check voltage at the compressor terminals to confirm the control board is sending the start signal. Then they’ll check running amperage. A healthy linear compressor draws within a specific range for the model. One drawing too high is working against itself and will fail soon. One drawing almost nothing is already gone.
The next step is the sealed system. That means checking refrigerant pressure. A loss of refrigerant can mimic a compressor failure, but a sealed system leak is a different repair. If the system is fully charged and the compressor still won’t build pressure, the compressor is confirmed bad.
That full diagnostic usually takes 30 to 45 minutes for an experienced tech. Skipping it is how people end up replacing a compressor when the real problem was a refrigerant leak, or vice versa.
What the Repair Actually Involves
Any work on the sealed refrigerant system requires EPA 608 certification to legally handle refrigerants. The compressor swap itself needs brazing equipment and a vacuum pump to properly evacuate and recharge the system. A bad recharge is one of the things that kills a replacement compressor early, so getting the charge right isn’t optional.
Before calling, there are a few things you can check yourself: confirm the fridge has power, make sure the condenser coils (back lower panel or underneath) aren’t heavily clogged with dust (a blocked coil causes the compressor to overheat and trip out on thermal protection), and check that the door seals are closing properly. If those all check out and it’s still not cooling, it needs a tech.
If your unit is still under LG’s warranty, LG may send an authorized service provider. If it doesn’t, or if you want an independent diagnosis, call us.
The Repair vs. Replace Question
This is the real decision most people are facing.
A linear compressor replacement on an out-of-warranty LG runs $650 to $950. Get a quote before deciding, and ask specifically whether the tech is replacing just the compressor or also checking the sealed system for leaks.
If the compressor is still inside LG’s 10-year warranty, the part is covered, and the labor too in the first 5 years. Worth checking before paying anyone.
A refrigerator that’s eight or more years old and already had one compressor failure is a harder case. It might make more sense to put that money toward a replacement unit rather than into a second repair on aging equipment. A good tech will give you an honest read on that rather than just selling you the repair.
When to Call a Pro
Start by checking your warranty eligibility. Use your serial number at LG’s website or call 1-800-243-0000. If the compressor is still under LG’s warranty, follow LG’s process before paying anyone out of pocket.
If it doesn’t qualify, or if you want an independent read on what’s actually wrong, call a tech. A proper diagnosis tells you whether it’s the compressor, a sealed system leak, or something else entirely, and gives you a real number to compare against replacement cost before you commit to anything.
I run ADRIUM Service Solutions in the Bay Area. If you’re in the area and dealing with a dead LG, we’ll diagnose it and give you a straight answer on whether it’s worth repairing. Book at adriumservice.com and we’ll get you on the schedule fast, often same or next day when we can.