Fridges (and washing machines and just about every other "long-lasting" home appliances) only last about 5 years nowadays. In the case of the fridge, the compressor fails and replacing it typically costs more than a whole new unit. In the case of washing machines and other appliances, it's the CPU board or the main motor which degrades from heat after about 5 years, and a new one costs almost as much as a whole new appliance.

This behavior is so consistent in new appliances that I'm convinced companies are designing in the failures on purpose, because they've figured out that consumers will tolerate it and because the dearth of actual major appliance competitors leaves consumers no other choice.