Currently evaluating the LRTLS2403S. Consumer Reports gives it a 5/5 for reliability and I understand top freezers to be generally more reliable than French doors/side-by-sides overall. Don't believe this one has the linear compressor. Should I be in the clear here?

Recently I spent quite a lot of time researching my next fridge, and LG's linear compressor issues caught my attention. To make it worse, they purposely avoid the word "linear" in their new product specs, for example, "Inverter Linear Compressor" now becomes "Smart Inverter Compressor". There are many confusing and misleading reddit posts. Many people swear the "Smart Inverter Compressor" is not the linear type, thus it should be more reliable. Wrong!!!

After extensive research, I hope to put everything together and settle this confusion at once.

Regardless of LG's marketing terms, there is an accurate way to check whether your fridge model uses linear compressor or not. Here is how:

1. Get your fridge's model number. For example, LRFWS2096S, a French door fridge where they call their compressor type "Smart Inverter". If you already have the fridge at home, you can simply open the rear panel to find out your compressor model number and go to step 6 directly.

2. Go to https://lgparts.com/ and search parts with your fridge's model number. In this example, I search for LRFWS2096S

3. If you cannot find your model number, most likely it has a different color, for example, you won't find LRFWS2906V (a stainless steel look), but you will find LRFWS2096S (real stainless steel). All parts should be identical.

4. In the parts list, search for compressor. The LG part number of the compressor for LRFWS2096S is TCA37971203, and a substitute part is TCA36811409.

5. Look closely on the image, search for the model number. For example, TCA37971203 has the following image. Alternatively, you can also just do google image search. The model number starts with FLD*****.

6. According to LG's compressor catalogue, you can easily tell this is a linear compressor, because the model number starts with the letter "F". https://www.lg.com/global/business/download/resources/CT00000308/LG_Catalogue_Linear+Reciprocating%20Compressor[20211026_124201].pdf

7. Please note that the LG part number may correspond to more than one model, but one thing for sure, they must be either all linear, or all traditional, they are not interchangeable. You can also search the manual to find out the exact compressor model number.

As you can hear - that’s probably not a great sound. Anyone have any advice or insight as to what might need replaced? Is it a condenser/compressor issue based on the sound? Overnight basically the fridge/freezer stopped cooling and don’t feel any airflow. Have tried the 3 test modes on the back panel and on test mode 1 or 2 - airflow does come but then will turn off shortly after. Any advice is appreciated!

I'm having a very hard time choosing a new refrigerator. I had a really bad Samsung which I replaced with a whirlpool. I've now been paid off by the warranty company because apparently the LED wires must be messed up in the door because the lights have been replaced three times and the top lights are still not working after a new control module.

I wanted to get a GE, but I liked the French door with a drawer / 4-door and it is made in China. I don't feel good about supporting Chinese manufacturing.

I'm considering a Whirlpool similar to my three door, but I'm a little skeptical about the ice in the refrigerator. It's been fine but sometimes gets a little melty and then clumped. This led me to an LG with a smart inverter that has only water in the door and it has the ice in the freezer. Claims to have a smart inverter.

Is the smart inverter going to be any more reliable than the linear compressor which was the one that was involved in the class action lawsuit? Is smart inverter just a new name for the same design? I'm hoping that not getting the ice in the door will be helpful as well, although they do have an interesting design where the ice is literally only in the door and not in the roof of the refrigerator compartment. It seems to blow the cold air directly into that door panel where the ice is located. Model # LF29H8330S, it says smart inverter on the fridge itself, but the warranty info on the website does list linear converter.... It says " inverter compressor 10 years parts only" and also " linear compressor parts only 6 years" it also says " compressor 5 years parts and labor. "

This model, without the ice maker also says smart inverter and does not list linear on the warranty info LRFWS2906V.. it only says "compressor 5 years parts and labor" and " smart inverter compressor 5 years parts only. "

Based on the warranty these two seem to have different systems.

I'm thinking maybe I should just go with the whirlpool, although I don't think it has more than a 1-year warranty on anything. I do plan to buy the 5-year extended warranty.

I really liked the GE, I wish it wasn't made in China. At least LG is a South Korea company and at least they are a U.S. ally.