Most and Least Reliable Refrigerator Brands

Whether it’s on the local news or Facebook and Reddit groups, consumers are good at spreading the word on issues with their fridge. Our survey data backs up some of the most widely circulated complaints.

Samsung refrigerators have been cited in hundreds of complaints to the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of malfunctioning icemakers and too-warm temperatures, which can lead to spoiled food. Many of the complaints involve Samsung French-door refrigerators, which received a subpar rating for predicted reliability and a poor rating for owner satisfaction in CR’s survey results.

Our survey also revealed that LG French-doors, side-by-sides, and built-ins were more prone to having compressors that break or are faulty than competing models made by other brands. The same goes for Kenmore French-doors, which have compressors manufactured by LG. In 2020, LG settled a class-action lawsuit over its refrigerator compressors, but the settlement didn’t cover Kenmore models manufactured by LG. There are at least two new class-action lawsuits targeting LG and Kenmore refrigerator compressors. (Note: Despite LG’s reliability issues, it’s still one of the best refrigerator brands overall when you factor in the day-to-day performance of its refrigerators.)

Along with these Kenmore and LG refrigerators, our survey results showed that KitchenAid French-doors and side-by-sides, as well as Samsung side-by-sides, are more likely than other brands and models to stop keeping food cold.