LG Sued Over Shortened Appliance Warranties

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges LG Electronics shortens warranty periods for appliances by starting coverage on the date of purchase rather than delivery, violating California consumer protection laws.

Consumers Affected: California consumers who purchased an LG product since July 2023 and had it delivered after the purchase date.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

LG Electronics is under fire from consumers who say the company is quietly cutting warranty periods short by starting them before customers even receive their products. A newly filed class action lawsuit claims LG begins its warranties on the date of purchase rather than delivery, potentially shaving days or even weeks off coverage for online shoppers.

The lawsuit, brought by California residents Peter Abrego and Virginia Shamel, accuses LG of violating state consumer protection laws by using warranty start dates that don't align with legal requirements. 

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, warranties are supposed to begin when a customer actually receives a product, not when they pay for it.

Buyers Say LG Warranty Coverage Is Reduced

The plaintiffs say they learned the hard way that LG’s warranty language may not live up to legal standards. Abrego purchased an LG double oven gas range from HomeDepot.com in August 2023, while Shamel ordered a dishwasher from Costco.com in June 2024.

In both cases, the products were delivered weeks after the purchase dates, but LG’s warranties started ticking down the moment they checked out online. Both say they got less warranty coverage than they were promised. And it’s not just them—any customer who ordered an LG product for delivery could be similarly affected, the lawsuit claims.

Lawsuit Details LG's Alleged Warranty Policy Violations

At issue is LG’s standard practice of tying warranty coverage to the date of purchase instead of when customers actually get their items. The lawsuit argues this policy unfairly shortens the effective warranty period and makes it harder for consumers to pursue valid claims, especially those who may mistakenly believe they’re out of coverage.

The plaintiffs say the company benefits from this setup in more ways than one: It avoids tracking delivery dates, reduces administrative burden, and likely faces fewer warranty claims overall. They allege that this cost-saving tactic violates both the SBA and California’s Unfair Competition Law, and are seeking damages and restitution on behalf of all impacted customers.

LG Faces Other Consumer Complaints and Legal Actions

This isn’t LG’s only legal headache. The electronics giant is also facing other class actions over alleged product defects and warranty issues. One lawsuit claims LG knowingly sold stoves with dangerously sensitive knobs that could be turned on accidentally, resulting in multiple fires and hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage.

Another case accuses the company of selling fridges with defective compressors that led to spoiled food and costly repairs.

In their lawsuit against LG, Abrego and Shamel want to represent anyone in California who bought an LG product since July 2023 and had it delivered after the date of purchase. They are suing for violations of California’s Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and California’s Unfair Competition Law, and are seeking injunctive relief, damages, and restitution.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Abrego, et al. v. LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-01378-DJC-DMC
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Ryan McBride (Kazerouni Law Group, APC)

Have you purchased an LG appliance online? Did your warranty start before delivery? Share your experience below.