What's The Average Lifespan Of An LG Refrigerator?

You've likely heard the phrase, "They don't make them like they used to" a thousand times, and when it comes to kitchen appliances like fridges, it might be true. Old-school fridges were built differently than those that grace today's kitchen. The best modern fridges have sleeker lines and more complex technology than ever before, but all those bells and whistles can unfortunately come at the cost of durability. 

So, what does that mean if you are a fan of the LG refrigerator? The answer is tied to the model you buy and what type of compressor it has. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates the average lifetime of standard-size refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers is 14.3 years. Of course, an estimate is not a guarantee.

For LG fridges, problems often start with the compressor. LG uses a linear compressor instead of the more common reciprocating compressor. While linear compressors are quieter, they tend to fail within 2 to 5 years of purchase. In 2019, buyers of LG fridges sued the company, complaining that they had to repeatedly get their new appliance repaired within three years of ownership. 

Consumers took to Reddit to share their grievances, with one owner writing, "I'm dealing with my second cooling failure in 15 months for my LG." Meanwhile, another LG owner shared, "We had our LG for 3 years before it failed." A Redditor who claimed to be an appliance repairman cautioned, "I would not recommend LG ... they give a lot of people problem[s] when it comes to cooling and customers ... finding [their] food thawed out."

It's expensive to repair a compressor for an LG fridge. Bozman Fix, an appliance repair company, notes that it could cost close to $1,000 to replace a failed compressor. But the compressor is only one of this fridge's issues. Additionally, LG refrigerator ice makers tend to need maintenance in years 3 to 5 of the refrigerator's life, and the control board can fail by year 8. 

That said, the reliability of an LG fridge is going to vary by model, and with any big purchase, you want to check the warranty and see what is covered and for how long. If you need a new appliance, check out Daily Meal's list of the best refrigerator brands, according to customers, before you tap to pay.