How Often Should I Expect to Have to Replace My A/C Compressor?

Air-conditioning compressors often last the life of a vehicle, but they can fail because bearings wear out, seals leak and long-term corrosion takes its toll, plus other factors. If a compressor does need to be replaced, it should be one-and-done, not something that occurs every 50,000 miles. Frequent compressor failure is probably caused by a misaligned accessory drive belt, a faulty pulley or another issue creating undue stress.