KitchenRisk
reach-in refrigerator

True T-23: Used-Buy Risk, Repairs & What to Check

Used True T-23 buying guide, compressor short risk, recall check, repair costs and what to inspect.

Status: published
Used rangeresearching
RecallON RECORD
Known risks4
Sources13
Verified2026-08-19

⚠ Recall on record for this model family

  • Active/historic safety recall — see dossier CRITICAL VARIANT FLAG verify-before-publish — official notice

Verify the unit's serial number against the official notice before purchase.

Decision status
inspect

used pricing varies; see sources. Biggest documented cost risk: Compressor short. Verify the serial against the official recall notice first. Buy only after inspection.

Confidence 69%
Market context
Not yet verified

Comparable set not yet verified

As of Aug 19, 2026
Repair Risk Matrix

What can make the cheap machine expensive?

Compressor shorthigh

Compressor short-cycling (starts then stops within seconds) — JustAnswer

Cost not yet verified
Compressor not running at allhigh

Compressor not running at all — same failure family (relay/overload/wiring

Cost not yet verified
Overheat protectionmedium

Overheat protection ("Clixon" thermal cutoff) trips and kills power when the

Cost not yet verified
General True troubleshooting guide flags cooling loss and remedium

General True troubleshooting guide flags cooling loss and refrigerant

Cost not yet verified

Common questions

What fails on the True T-23?

The most cited concerns in our evidence record: Compressor short, Compressor not running at all, Overheat protection. See the risk breakdown above for details and sources.

Is the True T-23 under recall?

A safety recall exists for this model family — verify the unit's serial number against the official notice linked on this page before buying.

From the research record

  • PRICE: - New: True T23 (23 cu. ft.) listed at $3,696.00 on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/p/66794476 - Used: starting around $1,895.00 per Burkett's used-equipment listing page. https://www.burkett.com/true-t-23-hc-1-solid-door-bottom-mount-reach-in-refrigerator-23-cu-ft - TODO: unsourced — no multi-listing raw used-market spread logged yet; need 10 dated liv
  • FAILURES: - Compressor short-cycling (starts then stops within seconds) — JustAnswer tech threads point to failing start relay, overload protector, bad capacitor, or low refrigerant charge as the common causes. https://www.justanswer.com/appliance/8tavy-i-m-trying-repair-true-t-23-refrigerator-compressor.html - Compressor not running at all — same failure fa
  • REPAIR: - Compressor replacement (general commercial-refrigerator class, not T-23 specific): $1,000-$2,500 parts + install combined; compressor part itself up to ~$700 for large/commercial units; labor $500-$850. https://homeguide.com/costs/refrigerator-compressor-cost - True-brand OEM compressors (not confirmed T-23-fit specific): WebstaurantStore lists T
  • LIFE: - General commercial reach-in class: 10-15 years typical per most sources; one source splits reach-in/undercounter at 8-12 years average; well maintained units can exceed 20 years. https://www.kitchenall.com/blog/how-long-do-commercial-refrigerators-
  • VIDEO (00:00:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIimbFVQgNM): "self-contained refrigeration system this unit has a bottom mount compressor which"
  • VIDEO (00:00:23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIimbFVQgNM): "unit has a bottom mount compressor which"
  • VIDEO (00:00:24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIimbFVQgNM): "unit has a bottom mount compressor which allows for top storage as well as the"

Sources

  1. partstown.comparts-retailer · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  2. cpsc.govrecall-authority · official · accessed 2026-08-19
  3. ebay.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  4. burkett.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  5. justanswer.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  6. justanswer.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  7. katom.comretailer · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  8. homeguide.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  9. webstaurantstore.comretailer · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  10. partstown.comparts-retailer · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  11. shoptrueoemparts.truemfg.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  12. webstaurantstore.comretailer · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
  13. kitchenall.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
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