LG vs Samsung Fridge: Check the Build Year First
For these two brands the build year matters more than the badge. Both redesigned their ice maker assemblies by 2021, LG fixed its linear compressor after 2020, and Samsung ice maker settlement covers the older RF28 units. Buy on the right side of those dates and either brand is a good refrigerator; buy on the wrong…
Read the unit in front of you, not the brand#
Find the row that describes the actual refrigerator you are looking at — the one in the showroom, the one in the listing, or the one already in your kitchen. The verdict column tells you what to do about it.
| The unit in front of you | What it carries | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A pre-2020 LG, French door | the early linear compressor, whose piston connecting rod wore early — knocking, then fading cooling — and the class action that pushed compressor coverage to 10 years on affected models | check the compressor warranty by serial before anything else. Covered, it is worth keeping; uncovered and already knocking, put the money toward replacement. |
| A pre-2021 Samsung French door, RF28 or RF263 | documented ice maker failures with service bulletins behind them, and the settlement that covers the older RF28 units | do not pay for an out-of-pocket ice maker repair before you check the settlement and the bulletins — this is the one fault on either brand with paperwork attached to it. |
| Any Samsung French door built before the 2021 redesign | the pattern behind the redesign: roughly 25% of them needed ice maker attention inside five years | price the repair as likely, not possible. If you are buying used, that is a negotiating fact. |
| A post-2020 LG | the fixed linear compressor with 10-year coverage — one piston instead of a full reciprocating assembly, so less vibration and less wear | buy it. This is the version that delivers on the design, and the 14-17 year average lifespan is written against it. |
| A post-2021 Samsung | the redesigned ice maker assembly, plus Family Hub, FlexZone and Twin Cooling Plus | buy it. The defect that defined the brand reputation was engineered out under class-action pressure, and the 13-16 year average is the current one. |
| An LG of any year that has stopped making ice | the LG failure mode, which is freezing over rather than breaking — water dripping between fill cycles | check the fill valve, the fill-tube heater and a compartment thermostat letting the box run too cold, before anyone quotes you an assembly. |
| Either brand, buzzing from the freezer that stops when you open the door | evaporator fan bearings, which is a routine wear part on both and no reflection of the brand era at all | repair it. This one is not a build-year question and does not belong in the comparison. |
Seven rows keyed on build year and model line because that is what this page evidence is actually organised by — the three eras above are LG pre-2020, the 2020-2021 crossover, and today, with Samsung 2021 ice maker redesign as the matching hinge. The 25% figure applies to Samsung French door models within five years and to nothing else here; the 14-17 and 13-16 year lifespans are current-era averages and do not describe the pre-2020 units in the first two rows.
The three eras that decide reliability#
| Era | LG | Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2020 | Linear compressor class-action history; ice maker failures on older French door models | Ice maker failures dominate; RF28 and RF263 have documented issues and service bulletins |
| 2020-2021 | Post-2020 linear compressor, 10-year warranty, improved reliability | Ice maker assembly redesigned in 2021 under class-action pressure |
| Today | 14-17 year average lifespan; InstaView, Craft Ice, Smart Diagnosis | 13-16 year average; Family Hub, FlexZone, Twin Cooling Plus |
Ice makers still separate the two brands more than anything else. Roughly 25% of Samsung French door models needed ice maker attention within five years, which is why the redesign happened at all. LG's ice makers fail differently — they freeze over rather than break.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Refrigerant gauges ($200+), vacuum pump ($250), leak detector ($150), and EPA-certified recovery equipment. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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Buying an older LG#
The linear compressor is the question to ask. On pre-2020 units the piston connecting rod wore early; owners heard knocking and then watched the cooling fade, which is what put LG in front of a class action and pushed compressor coverage to 10 years on the affected models. The design itself is sound — one piston instead of a full reciprocating assembly means less vibration and less wear — and post-2020 units are the ones that deliver on it.
The rest of an LG service history is routine. Ice makers freeze over when water drips between fill cycles: check the fill valve, the fill-tube heater and a compartment thermostat letting the box run too cold. Control boards fail after surges and leaks, though on InstaView the display electronics live on their own board. Evaporator fan bearings buzz until you open the freezer door. Door gaskets harden from food oils and temperature cycling, and a dollar bill finds the leak.
Buying an older Samsung#
Ask which ice maker revision is fitted. On RF28 and RF263 cabinets Samsung issued multiple service bulletins and revised kits, and fitting the latest revision beats replacing like for like. A 2017-2020 unit is the one most likely to need that work.
Dispenser leaks are next, and one is specific to the design: on some models the water line runs through the freezer, so a partial freeze pressurises the line and forces water out. Otherwise look at the inlet valve, the tank and the cradle seals. Touch panels fail from moisture, thermal cycling or surges and connect to the main board by ribbon cable. Condenser coils under the cabinet clog with dust. And French doors drift out of alignment as bin weight works on them over the years — adjusting the lower hinge on each door brings the centre seal back together.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Refrigerant (R-134a/R-600a) requires EPA certification to handle. Improper discharge is a federal violation and health hazard. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
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The verdict#
For reliability, LG edges ahead on post-2020 models thanks to the compressor and its warranty. For features, Family Hub is unmatched. Repair costs land close, with Samsung's proprietary diagnostic requirements adding some labour time on certain models, and parts supply is good for both. If ice maker reliability is your first concern, shop 2021 and newer from either brand.
We service both brands every day. Book a repair and we will bring the brand-specific tools.
Appliance Repair Technician & Diagnostics Specialist · 10 years experience
Electronics and diagnostics specialist with 10 years of experience in modern smart appliance repair, specializing in LG and Samsung.
