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LG

WT5

Top-Load WasherEst. 2011–2018

About

What We Know

WT5 is an LG top-load washer family sold roughly 2010-2016 — a high-efficiency 27-inch machine in the 4.5-to-5.0-cubic-foot class with a low wash plate instead of an agitator. Depending on the generation, WaveForce or TurboWash water action drives the clean — jets of water working the load rather than a post churning it. Automatic load sensing and the direct-drive motor round it out.

The File, At a Glance
Generation / Era
Est. 2011–2018
Verified Models 27
+11 more ►Show less ▴
1 WT5001CW — also sold as WT5001CW.ABWEEUS
2 WT5070CW — also sold as WT5070CW.ABWEPUS
3 WT5101 — also sold as WT5101HV, WT5101HW
4 WT5170C — also sold as WT5170CW
5 WT5170HV — also sold as WT5170HV.ASSEEUS
6 WT5270C — also sold as WT5270CW
7 WT5270H — also sold as WT5270HV
8 WT5480C — also sold as WT5480CW
9 WT5680H — also sold as WT5680HVA

These model numbers have been verified as belonging to the WT5 family. Small variations exist inside a family — your exact model is what ties recalls, known issues and repair guidance to your machine.

Standard Warranty
1 Year Parts & Labor
Model Match Confidence
High

Ownership

How We See It

Living with a WT5 means no bending, no gasket fuss, and a machine that forgives being forgotten about. Depending on the generation, WaveForce or TurboWash water action drives the clean — jets of water working the load rather than a post churning it. Automatic load sensing and the direct-drive motor round it out. Day to day, avoid chronic overloading and go easy on detergent; the machine will handle the rest for a long time. When repairs come, parts are plentiful — independents cover most of it and the brand's own service covers the rest. Our data puts the ApplianceEdge Expected Lifespan at 13 years for this family. Treat that as the planning baseline, not the ceiling — well-maintained units regularly run past it.

ApplianceEdge Expected Lifespan
13 yrs Our estimate for this family with normal use and basic care.

The ApplianceEdge Expected Lifespan is our editorial opinion, drawn from ownership patterns and market data. It is not a warranty, a prediction for your unit, or a substitute for an assessment of your machine’s actual condition.

Recall Information1
An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to — 2012

A recall was issued covering An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to. Check your model and serial number against the official notice.

Recall coverage is decided by serial number, not by model alone. Verify yours against the range above before assuming either way.

Warranty Coverage
Washer / dryer drum

Selected LG laundry products provide three-year parts-only coverage on the washer or dryer drum.

Warranty info →
Washer direct-drive motor

Selected LG washers provide ten-year parts-only coverage on the direct-drive motor (stator or rotor).

Warranty info →

Coverage varies by year and region. Confirm yours with LG against your exact model to be sure.

Recurring Issues to Watch For

No documented programs or service records are on file for this platform. These are common wear points for the category.

  • Lid Switch

    Won’t start or spin — lid-lock light flashes

  • Drain Pump

    Won’t drain — water left after the cycle

  • Suspension Rods / Dampers

    Bangs, walks, or goes out of balance

  • Drive Hub / Splutch / Agitator Drive

    Barely agitates, or clothes stay soaked

  • Transmission

    Grinds, or won’t agitate or spin under load

  • Water Inlet Valve

    Won’t fill, fills slowly, or won’t stop filling

  • Drive Belt / Motor Coupler

    Motor runs but basket doesn’t move

  • Main Electronic Control Board

    Dead panel, error codes, or stuck cycle

  • Water-Level Pressure Sensor / Pressure Switch

    Wrong water level — over- or under-fills

  • Tub Seal / Pump Hose / Drain Hose

    Leaks underneath during wash or spin

  • Water Pump

    Replace pump

Maintenance Habits
Clean detergent and softener dispensers before residue hardens.

Monthly — A blocked dispenser delivers additives at the wrong time or leaves concentrated chemical residue on the machine and clothing.

Keep loads balanced and below the model’s usable capacity.

Every load — Persistent off-balance loading hammers the suspension and basket drive. Redistributing the load is cheaper than repeatedly letting the machine fight through an unbalanced spin.

Leave the lid open after the final load and wipe standing water from the tub and dispensers.

After the final load of the day — Drying the washer slows odor and residue buildup and keeps the lid area from staying continuously damp.

Run the tub-clean cycle with an empty machine.

Monthly or when the machine prompts — A cleaning cycle removes detergent film and soil that can redeposit on clothes and collect around the basket and washplate.

Habits like these tend to extend the useful life of the appliance. They are not a guarantee against failure.

Debating a repair? Find out what the math says.

Service

What to Expect

LG runs its own factory service in big metros, with authorized local companies covering everywhere else, and a deep third-party parts bench. Check the long compressor coverage before paying for any cooling repair.

LG repair starts at the brand's portal or phone line, and the job is assigned to either LG's own factory service — which operates around most major metros — or an authorized service center elsewhere. In warranty you stay in that channel; out of warranty, more independents are taking on LG work as parts access has opened up.

Repair Economics
Most-Common Repair
$100–$300
Lid Switch
Common RepairTypical Range
Lid Switch $100–$300
Drain Pump $150–$350
Suspension Rods / Dampers $150–$400
Drive Hub / Splutch / Agitator Drive $125–$350
Transmission $250–$900
Water Inlet Valve $100–$300
Drive Belt / Motor Coupler $100–$250
Main Electronic Control Board $350–$550
Water-Level Pressure Sensor / Pressure Switch $100–$250
Tub Seal / Pump Hose / Drain Hose $125–$500
Water Pump $120–$300
Parts Availability
Parts Availability

Plentiful

Exact-model catalogs at PartSelect and AppliancePartsPros resolve for WT5680HVA.ASSEEUS; functional parts can be bought through independent DIY/servicer distributors.

Parts Sources
Third-party suppliers
Working On It Yourself

This platform is generally approachable for a confident DIYer. The repairs owners face most often here — Lid Switch, Drain Pump and Suspension Rods / Dampers — can typically be handled with basic tools and patience.

Data You Can Trust

This page draws on the ApplianceEdge Registry — 2,640 appliance families connected to more than 18,200 verified models, independently researched. We don’t know everything about this family yet, and we won’t pretend to: finish records and filter and accessory cross-references for this platform are still being verified. We only publish what we can stand behind, and the gaps close as the Registry grows.

ApplianceEdge assessments — lifespans, repair values, and reliability notes — are our editorial opinions, built from documented third-party sources: owner reports, industry pricing data, manufacturer literature, and official records. They describe patterns across a product family, not any individual machine; your experience may differ. Recall information links directly to official CPSC notices. We accept no payment from manufacturers, and no brand influences what we publish.

ApplianceEdge is not currently compensated for referrals made through links on this site. Links to products, retailers, and service providers are provided for convenience only. Our recommendations are based on ownership experience, reliability considerations, serviceability, and household fit—not compensation. No manufacturer or retailer pays for placement or favorable coverage.