Hi Reg, long time no see...
Do you see many fridge failures in the field? (I am assuming you do their wty work )
I do.
I'll answer that question--for those visiting/reading this thread.
The accurate answer is no. At least not more so than many other brands. The vast majority of consumers are satisfied with their purchase. Three door & four door refrigerator models are intensely popular.
Having said that---let's cover the problems that LG *did* have.
During the early part of this decade--the LG refrigerators were experiencing temperature problems. Food was freezing in the food compartment and/or the freezer temperature was too cold.
This was attributed to foam insulation in the refrigerator cavity partially or completely "burying" the temperature THERMISTOR(S).
During the manufacturing process--hot/liquid material is injected into the refrigerator cavity which expands when it cures. This expansion of foam material was the cause of those erratic temperature issues and has since been corrected.
Later--consumers were reporting that the lightbulbs were not turning off when the refrigerator doors had been closed. This was caused by a failing lightswitch relay on the main board (sticking or stuck). The lightswitch itself does not shut-off the lightbulbs--but is a sensor that indicates whether the doors are opened or closed.
The light switch also allows the main board to count the number of times that the doors are opened/closed. This monitoring of the doors has an impact on the frequency of the defrost cycle (saving energy). It also shuts-off the lightbulbs if the doors are left open too long.
The replacement main control board had the addition of a much larger relay for the lightswitch function.
In addition--a temperature limiting thermostat was added to the *Reflector* which is directly above the bulbs. This limiter acts as a self-resetting safety cut-out if the bulbs remain "on" too long.
A new LENS/DUAL BULB SOCKET ASSY and LIGHTBULB HOUSING is provided for replacement. All three-door refrigerators built up to the approx mid-2008 model year had the *potential* for this to occur.
Any model which has this fault will be a covered repair by LG even if the refrigerator is no longer under the original warranty. Simply contact LG and describe the lightbulb failure if this occurs and request an authorized servicer to initiate this repair. There is NO CHARGE for this repair.
The LG Customer Service Representative will need the following information in addition to name/address/phone:
1) Model Number
2) Serial Number
3) Date of Purchase
4) Selling Dealer (Retailer name)
Then the federal government paid a visit.
The Dept of Energy had conducted a test of energy consumption of the three & four door LG refrigerator models **with an icemaker in the door**.
These were found to be using energy in excess of the advertised EnergyStar rating.
True to gov't form---these energy ratings are (or were) done by the manufacturer and NOT the gov't---with the understanding that the true energy rating would be declared.
Well--Uncle Sam had issues with LG's energy ratings.
To make a long story short--LG voluntarily offered to correct this by revising the main board (new main board) to operate the refrigerator more efficiently. This replacement along with the addition of small foam strips to the refrigerator doors--is free of charge.
If you have a 3 door/4 door LG refrigerator--and are concerned about the possibility that your model is one of the affected units covered by this DOE/LG agreement--go to:
www.lgrefrigeratoroffer.comAll the relevant information is available to verify if your LG needs this correction. It costs nothing.
Ironically--shortly after this--Samsung was visited by "Big Brother" next.
The very same energy discrepancy was identified on the Samsung 3 door models and the DOE doubtless demanded a similar outcome as had been done with LG refrigerators.
Unlike LG--Samsung threatened to take the whole matter to the federal courts--as the wording of the energy test protocol specifically allows that the icemaker be TURNED OFF for arriving at an estimated annual kilowatt/hour average.
This would be akin to asking Ford/GM/Chrysler and all other auto manufacturers to "re-state" their Average Mile-Per-Gallon Numbers because none had their vehicles tested with the AIR CONDITIONERS "On".
In a nutshell--the DOE was arbitrarily changing the protocol for establishing the energy useage--and enforcing it RETROACTIVELY.
In this case--Samsung prevailed.
Icemakers--indeed LG has had it's share of fumbling with icemaker issues.
More than I'd like to see.
Over time--this too has dramatically improved.
It is noteworthy to indicate that icemaker issues are not unique to LG. Nearly all manufacturers have struggled to improvement their newer icemakers which are designed for energy-efficiency or compactness (or both).
These were some of the larger issues involving the LG refrigerators.
Like many other brands--LG had a host of smaller items that were more of an annoyance nature than anything else.
Plastic bin breakage/freezer door rails sticking/doors out of alignment after delivery/etc.
Much improvement has been made and will continue to be made.
LG has demonstrated that they will go beyond the average competitor to keep their customers as satisfied as possible. My experience with the this manufacturer has been a very positive one.
Unfortunately--there's a great deal of appliance servicers that are as yet unfamiliar with LG products.
New technology means having to *change*.
Any no-one likes *change*--at least not initially.
