Consumer Reports is saying that LCD and plasma TVs are much more reliable than older rear-projection types. On average, according to the survey results, only 3 percent of flat panel TVs need repairs. Rear projection TVs had a much higher repair rate of 18 percent, most likely because of limited life of the bulbs used in these TVs. When flat panels TVs did require an out of warranty repair, the total cost of repair was around $260 for LCDs, and about $400 for plasmas, with rear projection TV repairs costing around $300.