Warranty

Standard: One year, parts and labor; five years, compressor system.
Extended: For $100 to $150, you get four additional years of parts-and-labor coverage, plus, in some cases, coverage for food loss.

Common Problems

The things most likely to go haywire are the ice and water dispensers, the defrost components, and the temperature- control mechanisms. The compressor isn’t likely to go within the first 10 years, but if it does, it’s an expensive repair. (All repairs cost from $150 to $600).

Is It Worth It?

No. Unless several things go wrong at the same time, repair costs shouldn’t exceed the cost of an extended warranty. And the typical extended warranty won’t buy you any extra time on compressor repairs, which are already covered for five years under most standard warranties.