LG Class Action Says Compressor Defect Causes Refrigerator Failure

Last week, LG Electronics USA Inc. was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging some of its refrigerators have a defect that causes widespread compressor failure.

LG refrigerators contain a compressor defect that allegedly renders the refrigerator unable to keep food contents cold. According to the LG refrigerator class action lawsuit, the compressor failure may be caused by a failure in the ice maker and/or fan.

“LG promised consumers that its Refrigerators would give them ‘peace of mind’ and be long-lasting,” plaintiffs Robert Montanye, Jason Saber, Jim and Jeni Oney, and Kelley Haggard allege in the LG refrigerator class action lawsuit.

However, they claim that a defect in the refrigerator compressors causes the refrigerators to fail prematurely, causing consumers to be faced with spoiled food and damage to their kitchens due to water leaking from the refrigerator.

“These food losses can cost hundreds of dollars or more for consumers,” the LG refrigerator class action lawsuit alleges. “Incidental damages, e.g. damage to warping of wood floorboard trim and hardwood floors due to leaking water, cost even more.”

When consumers call LG for repairs, the repairs allegedly fail repeatedly and the customers are required to pay for labor costs each time a repair is attempted, the LG class action lawsuit alleges. The large number of compressor failures related to the LG refrigerator defect has allegedly resulted in a backlog of replacement compressors, forcing consumers to wait a long time—sometimes more than a month—for repairs.

According to the LG refrigerator compressor defect class action lawsuit, the compressor defect typically manifests within the first two to four years in the life of the refrigerator. Although the defect manifests early in the useful life of the refrigerator, LG’s limited warranty reportedly does not cover the labor costs beyond the first year for compressor replacements. Therefore, consumers often have to pay for all of the costs.

Labor costs for compressor repairs and replacement often cost more than $500, the plaintiffs allege in the LG class action lawsuit. They claim that thousands of consumer complaints about the LG refrigerator defect have been posted online, many of which can be viewed on LG’s website.

The plaintiffs allege that LG knew of the compressor defect in the refrigerators but failed to disclose it to consumers in order to increase their refrigerator sales.

“LG had a duty to disclose the Compressor Defect based upon its exclusive knowledge of the Compressor Defect – a material fact that, had it been disclosed to consumers (including Plaintiffs), would have resulted in consumers not purchasing their Class Refrigerators,” the LG class action lawsuit states.

The LG class action lawsuit seeks to certify a nationwide Class, New Jersey Class, New York Class, Texas Class and Utah Class of consumers who purchased an LG refrigerator with the alleged compressor defect. The plaintiffs assert claims for violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, breach of express warranty, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, unjust enrichment, and other consumer protection statutes.

Last month, a California woman filed a class action lawsuit alleging LG refrigerators have defective temperature control systems that cause food to spoil and ice to melt.

The plaintiffs are represented by Benjamin F. Johns, Alison G. Gushue and Andrew W. Ferich of Chimicles & Tikellis LLP.

The LG Refrigerator Compressor Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Robert Montanye, et al. v. LG Electronics USA Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-05882, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

UPDATE: The LG Refrigerator Compressor Defect Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on March 29, 2018.  Top Class Actions will let our viewers know if any new lawsuits with this complaint are filed.