Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether LG Appliances improperly restricts homeowners and independent appliance repair professionals from diagnosing, programming, configuring, or repairing LG Appliances through proprietary diagnostic software, firmware, electronic controls, and dealer-only service functions.
What Consumers Report
Consumers and independent repair technicians report:
- Smart Diagnosis features providing limited information to independent repair providers.
- Replacement electronic control boards requiring proprietary configuration.
- Firmware updates available only through authorized service providers.
- Independent repair shops unable to complete electronic repairs.
- Paying higher repair costs because authorized service was required.
- Extended repair delays while waiting for LG-authorized technicians.
- Difficulty obtaining certain replacement electronic components.
- Limited disclosure regarding repair restrictions before purchase.
Why Consumers Should Be Concerned
LG Appliances increasingly rely upon smart electronics, inverter technology, Wi-Fi connectivity, touch-screen interfaces, and digital control systems. Consumers allege these technologies require proprietary software or manufacturer-controlled service tools that prevent qualified independent technicians from completing repairs.
These repair restrictions may reduce competition, increase repair costs, and shorten appliance life by making otherwise repairable products economically impractical to fix.
Potential Claims May Include
- Consumer Protection
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- Failure to disclose repair restrictions
- Breach of Express Warranty
- Breach of Implied Warranty
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- Unjust enrichment
Signs You May Be Affected
You may be affected if:
- You own an LG Appliance.
- Your independent repair technician could not complete a repair because of software restrictions.
- A replacement electronic component required proprietary programming.
- You paid additional charges for authorized software configuration.
- Your appliance remained unusable while awaiting authorized service.
- You were unable to obtain complete repair information.
- You experienced unusually high repair costs because of proprietary repair requirements.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.