LG Refrigerator Class Action Lawsuit 2026: Claim Status, Payouts, and Deadlines
Quick Answer
- The major 2020 LG refrigerator class action settlement is closed and no longer accepting claims.
- Payouts ranged from $50 to over $3,500 depending on documentation.
- No new class action settlement is active for LG refrigerators in the U.S. as of September 2026.
The LG refrigerator class action lawsuit you may have heard about is likely one of two major settlements that have already ended. The 2020 U.S. settlement covered over 1.5 million refrigerators with defective linear compressors. That claim deadline passed in January 2021. A separate Canadian settlement concluded in 2024. Neither is accepting new claims.
This matters because LG refrigerator cooling failures are still happening. Consumer complaints filed with the BBB in 2026 show owners of newer models reporting the same no-cooling problems. But the legal landscape has shifted. Newer cases are moving through arbitration, not class action settlements. That means different rules, different timelines, and no easy claim form to file.
Here is what’s closed, what’s active, and what you can actually do if your LG refrigerator stopped cooling.
The Facts
| Item | Verified Status |
|---|---|
| Case Name (U.S.) | Bentley, et al. v. LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey |
| Case Number | 2:19-cv-13554-MCA-MAH |
| Status | Settled and closed, claim deadline passed January 11, 2021 |
| Fund Size | No cap on total payments, LG paid all valid claims |
| Est. Per Person | $50 to over $3,500 depending on documentation |
| Claim Deadline | January 11, 2021 (passed) |
| Administrator | Angeion Group, LLC |
| Proof Needed | Attestation for up to $450, documentation for higher tiers |
Is the LG Refrigerator Class Action Lawsuit Legit or a Scam?
The LG refrigerator class action is real and was settled in 2020. The settlement received final approval in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. It resolved claims that certain LG refrigerators had defective linear compressors that caused them to stop cooling.
LG denied the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs. The settlement provided cash payments and extended warranty coverage to approximately 1.55 million consumers.
The scam risk comes from anyone claiming you can still file a claim in the 2020 settlement. That deadline passed on January 11, 2021. If someone tells you they can get you a payout from this case now, they are lying. The settlement is closed.
How Much Was the LG Refrigerator Class Action Settlement Worth?
The 2020 settlement paid between $50 and over $3,500 per consumer, depending on what you could prove. There was no cap on total payments. LG agreed to pay all valid claims.
The payment tiers were based on documentation:
| Tier | Documentation Required | Payment Range |
|---|---|---|
| No documentation | Signed attestation under oath | Up to $450 |
| Repair receipts | Invoices for parts and labor | Up to $1,500 |
| Repair plus food loss | Repair invoices plus proof of spoilage | Up to $3,500 |
Consumers without receipts could still claim up to $450 by signing a statement under oath. Those with documented repair costs could recover more. The highest tier required proof of both repair expenses and food spoilage losses.
Key Takeaway: The 2020 LG refrigerator settlement is closed. No new claims can be filed. Payouts ranged from $450 without documentation to over $3,500 with full proof.
Can You Still File a Claim for the LG Refrigerator Settlement?
No. The deadline to file a claim was January 11, 2021. That date has passed. The settlement administrator is no longer accepting new claims.
If you owned a covered LG refrigerator and missed the deadline, you lost the right to claim under that settlement. This is similar to missing the deadline for a tax refund. Once the date passes, the money is no longer available to you, even if you qualified.
The settlement covered LG refrigerators manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. If your refrigerator was made outside that window, it was not part of the 2020 settlement. For newer models, different legal actions apply.
What LG Refrigerator Models Were Covered by the Settlement?
The settlement covered specific LG refrigerator models manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. Not every LG refrigerator from that period qualified.
Covered model numbers included:
- LBNC15241
- LDCS24223
- LFCS25663
- LFCS28768
- LFCS31626
- LFX25978
- LFXS28566
- LFXS28968
- LFXS30796
- LFXS32766
- LMX28988
- LMXC23746
- LMXC23796
- LMXS28626
- LMXS30776
- LMXS30796
- LPXS30866
- LRFXS2503
- LRMNC1813
- LSFXC2476
- LSFXC2496
- UPFXC2466
The asterisk in the official notice refers to the color suffix attached to each model number. If your model number is on this list and you experienced a no-cooling event within five years of purchase, you would have been eligible to file a claim. But that window is closed.
What Is the Canadian LG Refrigerator Settlement?
The Canadian settlement, Prins v. LG Electronics Canada, Inc., was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on May 27, 2024. It covered LG refrigerators purchased between January 30, 2014 and the certification date.
The Canadian claim deadline was October 25, 2024. That deadline has also passed.
The Canadian settlement offered different payment tiers than the U.S. case:
- $50 for out-of-pocket labor costs
- Up to $100 for property loss (food spoilage)
- Up to $259 for labor costs
- Up to $700 for delayed repairs
- Up to $1,000 for multiple unsuccessful repairs
- Up to $2,500 for property loss or damage
The default payment without proof was up to $150. To qualify for the higher tiers, consumers had to prove their no-cooling event occurred within two years of purchase. That two-year window was criticized during the approval hearing as arbitrary.
How Do You File a Claim for LG Refrigerator Problems in 2026?
You cannot file a class action claim for LG refrigerator problems in 2026. No active U.S. class action settlement exists for LG refrigerators as of September 2026.
If your LG refrigerator failed and you want to pursue compensation, you have limited options:
- Check your warranty. LG offers a 10-year warranty on the linear compressor for many models.
- Contact LG customer service. Request a repair or replacement under warranty.
- Document everything. Save receipts, repair invoices, and photos of spoiled food.
- Consult an attorney. Some lawyers are pursuing individual arbitration claims for newer models.
- Consider small claims court. For smaller losses, this may be an option.
- File a BBB complaint. This does not get you money but creates a record.
Newer LG refrigerator models (purchased after 2018) are the subject of mass arbitration actions, not class actions. LG’s warranty terms include a clause that prevents class actions. Lawyers are instead filing hundreds or thousands of individual arbitration claims simultaneously.
Reality Check: No one is texting you about an LG refrigerator settlement payout in 2026. The 2020 settlement is closed. The 2024 Canadian settlement is closed. If you get a message offering money from an LG class action, it is a scam. Filing a claim was always free.
What Causes LG Refrigerator Compressor Failures?
LG linear compressor failures stem from a design flaw that causes the compressor to fail prematurely. The compressor is the part that circulates refrigerant to keep the refrigerator cold. When it fails, the refrigerator stops cooling entirely.
One lawsuit alleges the problem starts in the evaporator tubes, which corrode and develop holes. That allows air to enter the system and increases pressure on the linear compressor. The compressor then fails.
Consumers report that repairs by LG technicians often do not solve the problem permanently. Replacement parts may have the same manufacturing defects, leading to repeated failures within two years.
LG marketed these compressors as having a 20-year lifespan. Many failed within five to eight years. The 2020 settlement extended the compressor warranty to 10 years from the original purchase date.
What Happens Next for LG Refrigerator Lawsuits?
The legal landscape for LG refrigerator claims is changing. Class action settlements are closed. Newer cases are moving through arbitration.
2026 (ongoing): Mass arbitration actions continue for LG refrigerators purchased after 2018 that experienced cooling failures.
TBD: Whether LG will face a new class action for newer models, given warranty clauses that prohibit class actions.
TBD: Whether any new settlement will open for newer LG refrigerator models.
TBD: Whether regulators will address the pattern of compressor failures across brands.
The strategy has shifted because LG’s warranty includes a class action waiver. Lawyers cannot file a traditional class action for newer models. Instead, they file many individual arbitration claims at once. The goal is to force LG into a global settlement.
If you own a newer LG refrigerator with a failed compressor, your options depend on your warranty status and whether you want to pursue individual arbitration. Consulting an attorney is the only way to know your specific rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LG refrigerator class action lawsuit still open?
No. The 2020 U.S. settlement claim deadline was January 11, 2021, and the Canadian settlement deadline was October 25, 2024.
How much can I get from the LG refrigerator settlement?
Nothing now. The settlement is closed. Past payouts ranged from $50 to over $3,500 depending on documentation.
What LG refrigerator models were covered?
Models manufactured between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. A full list is in the settlement notice.
Can I still file a claim for LG refrigerator problems?
No class action claims are being accepted. Some consumers are pursuing individual arbitration for newer models.
Is the LG refrigerator settlement a scam?
No. The settlement was real and approved by a federal court. But scammers may use its name to trick people today.
What should I do if my LG refrigerator stopped cooling?
Check your warranty, document the failure, and contact LG customer service. Consult an attorney about arbitration options.
Did LG admit fault in the refrigerator settlement?
No. LG denied the allegations and settled to avoid litigation costs. The court made no finding of defect.
When did the LG refrigerator settlement checks arrive?
Checks were mailed after the claim deadline and final approval. The settlement is now fully closed.
