If you searched for an “LG refrigerator compressor recall,” here’s the honest answer: it was never a formal government recall. It was a class-action settlement, finally approved on December 18, 2020. It covered LG refrigerators with linear compressors manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. That covered roughly 31 models and about 1.5 to 1.6 million units, per public reporting. The settlement’s own claim-filing window has closed. What can still matter today is the extended warranty that settlement created, and whether your unit’s compressor is actually the problem.

Recall or settlement? The distinction actually matters

A recall is a formal action, usually run through a federal agency, where a manufacturer is required to repair, replace, or refund a product because of a safety defect. That’s not what happened here. What happened with LG’s linear compressors was a class-action lawsuit over compressors that failed prematurely, which LG settled with plaintiffs rather than litigating to a verdict. The court gave that settlement final approval on December 18, 2020.

The practical difference matters less than you’d think for a homeowner today, since the settlement still produced real consumer protections, most notably an extended warranty. But it’s worth knowing you won’t find this listed on a government recall database, because it isn’t one. It’s a defect settlement, and the correct term to search for going forward is “LG compressor settlement” or “LG compressor warranty extension,” not “recall.”

What the settlement actually covered

The settlement applied to certain LG French-door, side-by-side, and bottom-freezer refrigerators manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. LG’s linear compressors, a design that uses an electromagnetic piston instead of a traditional rotary motor, were prone to sudden failure in a portion of these units. When it happened, the fridge would typically stop cooling within hours, sometimes with little warning beyond a clicking sound, the compressor running nonstop without actually cooling, or the compressor going silent altogether.

Under the settlement, LG extended the warranty on covered units to five years from the original purchase date, including labor for covered compressor repairs, not just the part. For consumers who filed a claim before the deadline, the settlement also provided reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket repair costs already paid, plus up to $3,500 for documented property loss like spoiled food, with proof required. Smaller fixed payments were available for people who experienced multiple no-cooling events or unusually long repair delays.

Can you still file a claim? Be honest about this

No. The filing deadline for the 2020 settlement has passed, and there’s no active claims process tied to that specific settlement anymore. If you’re reading this hoping to file for reimbursement under the original case, that window is closed, and we’re not going to tell you otherwise.

What’s worth checking is whether your refrigerator still falls within the five-year extended warranty the settlement created, since that depends entirely on your original purchase date, not on filing anything. There has also been reporting on newer litigation involving later LG compressor units. We’re not going to characterize the status of that, since it’s outside the scope of what we can verify as an appliance repair referral service. If you believe you have a live legal claim related to a more recent LG compressor failure, confirm the current status directly with LG or with a qualified attorney rather than relying on secondhand information, including this article.

How to tell if your LG fridge likely has an affected compressor

Start with two things: the manufacture date and the symptom pattern. The manufacture date is usually stamped on a label inside the fridge, often on the inner wall or ceiling of the fresh food compartment, separate from the model and serial number sticker. If your unit was built between January 2014 and December 2017, it falls inside the settlement’s covered window, and it’s worth checking whether you’re still inside the five-year extended warranty from your purchase date.

Symptom-wise, linear compressor failure has a fairly recognizable pattern. Listen for a clicking sound every few minutes as the compressor’s relay tries and fails to start it. Feel the back of the unit, if the compressor is running hot but nothing inside is getting cold, that’s consistent with a failing compressor rather than a simpler issue like a dirty condenser coil or a bad door seal. And watch for a fridge that seems to run constantly without ever reaching temperature. None of these symptoms confirm a compressor failure on their own, they’re common to a few different problems, which is exactly why a proper diagnostic matters before you assume the worst. For a closer look at these symptoms and basic troubleshooting steps, see our guide on LG refrigerator compressor problems.

The honest repair-vs-replace math

A linear compressor replacement includes refrigerant evacuation, the new compressor, recharge, and labor. It’s a significant job: national cost guides such as HomeGuide put a full compressor replacement at $700 to $1,250 including parts and labor. If your unit is still inside that five-year extended warranty window, the labor may be covered, which changes this math considerably, so it’s worth confirming your purchase date and warranty status with LG before assuming you’ll pay full price.

If the warranty has expired, apply the same rule we’d apply to any refrigerator repair decision: if the repair cost is less than half the price of a comparable new refrigerator and the unit isn’t otherwise aging out, repair is usually the better move. Say you’re looking at compressor work near the top of that range, around $1,250. If the fridge is already 9 or 10 years old and showing other wear, it’s worth pricing out a replacement before committing to the repair.

How we help

The technicians we match diagnose whether the compressor is actually the failure point before recommending any repair. Not every no-cooling LG fridge has a linear compressor problem. If it is the compressor, you’ll get a written diagnosis and a clear quote, documentation you can use if you’re checking warranty coverage with LG. If the repair makes financial sense, the technicians we match do the sealed-system work properly, including refrigerant recovery and recharge. See our refrigerator repair service across San Diego County. And if replacement is genuinely the smarter call given the unit’s age and the cost, we’ll tell you that too. For general LG appliance troubleshooting beyond the compressor, see our LG appliance repair guide. Call us at (858) 988-7787 to schedule a diagnostic.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an LG refrigerator compressor recall?

Not technically. It was a class-action settlement, given final court approval on December 18, 2020, covering certain LG refrigerators manufactured between 2014 and 2017. It functioned like a recall in that it extended warranty coverage, but it wasn’t a formal government recall.

How do I know if my LG fridge is affected?

Check the manufacture date on the interior label. If it falls between January 2014 and December 2017, your unit was part of the covered range. Watch for symptoms like clicking sounds, a compressor that runs hot without cooling, or the fridge running constantly without reaching temperature.

Can I still file a claim under the LG settlement?

No. The filing deadline for the 2020 settlement has closed. What may still apply is the five-year extended warranty the settlement created, which depends on your original purchase date rather than filing a new claim.

Is it worth repairing an LG linear compressor?

Often yes, especially if you’re still inside the five-year extended warranty, which can cover labor. Outside the warranty, compare the $700 to $1,250 repair cost, per national cost guides such as HomeGuide. Weigh that against the age of the unit and the price of a comparable new refrigerator before deciding.

Do you fix LG refrigerators in San Diego?

We match you with technicians who diagnose and repair LG compressor and cooling issues across San Diego County. You’ll get a written diagnosis you can use to check warranty status with LG if your unit falls in the covered manufacture range. Call (858) 988-7787 to schedule a visit.

Sources: Settlement terms, covered manufacture dates, and compensation tiers are drawn from Consumer Reports’ coverage of the settlement (‘LG Settles Class-Action Lawsuit Over Refrigerator Compressors’), the Top Class Actions settlement summary, and settlement counsel’s announcement (Berger Montague, September 2020), all reviewed against each other. We’re an appliance repair referral service, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Confirm your specific warranty or claim status directly with LG or a qualified attorney.