Parts reference
Freezer parts
Freezers are the simplest cold appliance and the cheapest to keep running — most are a compressor, a thermostat, a defrost circuit and a seal. A chest freezer that stops cooling is very often a $15 to $50 part, which is why they routinely outlive the kitchen they were bought for.
- Parts priced
- 8
- Price band
- $12–$140
- Suppliers stocking
- 5
- Repair guides
- 8
Find your freezer model number first
No supplier can sell you the right part without it, and the name printed on the front of the appliance is not it.
On the exterior side or back (chest freezer)
Look at the left-hand exterior wall near the back, or on the rear panel by the compressor hump.
Inside on the side wall (upright)
Open the door and check the upper left liner, near the top shelf — same convention as a refrigerator.
Behind the front kick plate (upright)
The toe grille at the base pops off, and the tag is on the frame behind it.
What the tag looks like
8 to 14 characters. Note whether the unit is manual-defrost or frost-free — manual-defrost freezers have no defrost heater, thermostat or timer at all, and half the parts list simply does not apply to them.
What fails on a freezer
Ordered most-replaced first. Prices are typical retail ranges for the part alone — not quotes, and not including labour. Confirm the part against your model number before you order.
| Part | What you notice | Install | Typical price | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start relay and overload | Compressor clicks and stops repeatedly, and the box slowly warms. | easy20–40 minutes | $12–$45Aftermarket is fine | 8–15 years |
| Door gasket | Ice building on the lid or door frame, and a lid that no longer pulls itself shut. | easy45–90 minutes | $40–$140Buy OEM | 8–12 years |
| Temperature control thermostat | Freezer runs continuously, or never runs at all, regardless of the dial setting. | moderate45–90 minutes | $25–$90Either works | 10–15 years |
| Defrost thermostat (frost-free) | Heavy frost on the rear evaporator panel and steadily rising box temperature. | moderate1–2 hours | $15–$50Either works | 10–15 years |
| Defrost timer | Frost-free unit never enters a defrost cycle and gradually ices over. | moderate45–90 minutes | $25–$80Either works | 8–15 years |
| Evaporator fan motor (upright frost-free) | Uneven cooling top to bottom and no airflow noise with the door switch held in. | moderate1–2 hours | $40–$130Either works | 8–14 years |
| Defrost heater | Same icing as a failed thermostat, but the thermostat and timer both test good. | advanced2–3 hours | $30–$100Either works | 10–18 years |
| Lid or door hinge and lock | Lid drops shut instead of staying up, or the key lock will not turn. | easy20–45 minutes | $12–$60Either works | 10+ years |
Easy · 3
Moderate · 4
Advanced · 1
3 of these 8 parts need nothing more than a screwdriver. Before you accept a repair quote on a freezer, it is worth knowing which tier the part sits in — the labour is usually the larger half of the bill.
OEM or aftermarket for a freezer
Paying OEM for everything is waste. Saving on the wrong part costs you the repair twice.
Thermostats, start relays, defrost timers and fan motors are commodity parts where aftermarket is the sensible buy. The door gasket is the one to buy OEM: on a chest freezer the gasket is the whole seal, and a copy that sits a fraction proud lets in enough humid air to ice the box up every fortnight.
- Buy OEM on this appliance
- Door gasket
- Aftermarket is fine
- Start relay and overload
- Either works — buy on price
- Temperature control thermostat, Defrost thermostat, Defrost timer, Evaporator fan motor, Defrost heater, Lid or door hinge and lock
- Still under warranty?
- Call the manufacturer before you buy anything. A covered repair costs nothing, and fitting a part yourself first can complicate the claim.
Where to buy freezer parts
Shipping and returns are the terms each supplier publishes; where none is stated, we say so rather than guess. We are not affiliated with any of them and earn nothing from these listings.
| Supplier | Shipping | Returns | Part finder |
|---|---|---|---|
| PartSelectpartselect.com1-888-738-4871 | Free over $49 | 365 days | Model number search |
| RepairClinicrepairclinic.com1-800-269-2609 | Not listed | 365 days | Symptom-based finder |
| Appliance Parts Prosappliancepartspros.com1-877-477-7278 | Same-day dispatch | Not listed | Parts diagrams by model |
| Sears Parts Directsearspartsdirect.com1-800-252-1698 | Not listed | Not listed | Model lookup with exploded diagrams |
| Amazon Appliance Partsamazon.com1-888-280-4331 | Prime next-day | Easy returns, no window stated | Keyword search and reviews |
Guides that use these parts
Tools, safety warnings and the steps in order, before you spend anything.
Next steps
Not sure the freezer is worth the part?
Check what it is still worth before you spend. The Appliance Blue Book takes its age, brand tier and condition and tells you whether a repair still makes sense — or points you at someone local who can quote the job properly.