Report: Xbox 360 Failure Rate Reaches 54%

**Valigarmander** · 08-18-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

If your Xbox 360 hasn't broken down yet or suffered from the dreaded red ring of death, then consider yourself pretty lucky.

A new survey published in Game Informer's print edition indicates the Xbox 360 failure rate has climbed to a shocking 54.2%. The magazine surveyed nearly 5000 readers, asking them about their experience dealing with broken consoles.

Here are their findings:

Console failure rate

Xbox 360 – 54.2%
Playstation 3 – 10.6%
Wii – 6.8%

Percentage of console owners who suffered a second hardware failure after the original repair.

Xbox 360 – 41.2%
Playstation 3 – 14.7%
Wii – 11%

Percentage of people who rate their customer service experience "very helpful"

Nintendo – 56.1%
Sony – 51.1%
Microsoft – 37.7%

Percentage of respondents whose friends have had console hardware failures.

Xbox 360 – 69.9%
Playstation 3 – 12.4%
Wii – 6%

The magazine also makes a few notes about their results:

The reason the Wii has the lowest hardware failure rate could be because console is played the least of the three. 41.4% of Wii owners surveyed said they play the console less than one hour a day, meanwhile the majority of Xbox 360 (40.3%) and Playstation 3 (37%) owners say they play their console on an average of three to five hours day.

Also, only 3.8% of respondents said they'd never buy another Xbox system because of the failure rates.

How have your experiences been?

Interesting. When our 360 failed, my brother claimed Microsoft's customer service was ****, and he basically had to go to the fans for a remedy. I guess more people than us were having that problem.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 08-18-2009, 12:52 AM

*snort, giggle*

Robotazy · 08-18-2009, 01:05 AM

STOP SCARING ME.

**Valigarmander** · 08-18-2009, 01:07 AM

Hey, what's that red glow behind you?

Robotazy · 08-18-2009, 01:24 AM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Oh, that's my other consoles.

Metal Man · 08-18-2009, 01:55 AM

My Xbox 360 still lives.

I don't get to play it often since I'm not rich, though.

PONIES · 08-18-2009, 06:06 AM

mine has survived one year so far... * stares at xbox360 elite, "dont you die on me!"*

**Deku Trii** · 08-18-2009, 08:49 AM

I've had one die. The replacement hasn't had any problems yet, but I also leave this one on a lot less.

Lurch1982 · 08-19-2009, 12:31 AM

Unscientific poll, means absolutely nothing.

***Cosmonautical*** · 08-19-2009, 01:01 AM

Like I said, all of the 360 failure stories have prevented me from buying one. If they remodel the system, maybe I'll reconsider.

Vgfian · 08-19-2009, 01:09 AM

^ Pretty much this with the added twist of me being broke.:/
Like the PS3 though, if I get the cash, and get a chance to get it, I'll consider it.
The failure rate is what keeps me from being 100% positive on getting one.
Instead its closer to around 60%-70%

Kargath · 08-19-2009, 03:45 AM

You can't release a service patch for hardware, Microsoft.

**Valigarmander** · 08-24-2009, 08:41 PM

Microsoft responds to GameInformer claims of 54% Xbox 360 failure rate > Video Game News, Inc. > Video Game News

Quote:

In a statement to TG Daily, Microsoft has responded to GameInformer's claim of a 54% failure rate on the Xbox 360. A poll of 5,000 GameInformer readers showed The Xbox 360 having a failure rate of 54.6% while the PS3 and Wii failure rates were much lower at 10.6% and 6.8% respectively.

Microsoft's statement:

"Microsoft stands behind the Xbox 360 as a superior entertainment console with one of the best warranties in the industry. We are constantly improving the design, manufacture and performance of the console through extensive testing of potential sources of any problems. Xbox 360 is pleased to maintain the title of 'most played console' and the vast majority of Xbox 360 customers have enjoyed a terrific gaming and entertainment experience since their first day, and continue to, day in and day out."

No outright denial included. lol

Lurch1982 · 08-24-2009, 08:57 PM

Again, not scientific, no guards against video game fanboyism (LOLZ 360 SUZX). The failure rate on the system has been pretty bad for consumer electronics, but if it were over the 50% mark they'd likely have dumped out the recall.

The warranty extension confirms that it is high, but if the rate were actually 50%+, there would have been a fullblown recall or a much longer warranty extension.

The circle of failure also isn't so much to the newer hardware (its gotten much better with each iteration), but due to the tech services refurbishing the previously replaced systems instead of giving each person a new system off the assembly line.

Not that it isn't embarrassing to have an electronic device have a production failure rate over 10%, but it isn't that horrible, especially with the newer chipsets.

Demonicus Prime · 08-24-2009, 09:23 PM

It also has to be taken into consideration how the consoles are treated, a 360 laying down on carpet, for example, will overheat ten-fold one that is raised even an inch off the ground. I'm not even going to address standing it vertically, as that's too obvious of why that would kill a 360 quite quickly.

Jesus · 08-25-2009, 08:27 PM

The Xbox360 was also rushed when it was made with cheap after-parts for the 2006 christmas year.

bam23 · 09-07-2009, 10:03 PM

I don't get to play it often since I'm not rich, though.

Zharen · 09-15-2009, 10:52 PM

MicRORsoft

Valentine · 10-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Microsoft have got their act together in Europe at least.

I don't know anyone who hasn't had their Xbox Red Ring, but I also don't know anyone who hasn't shipped it off for repair and not got it back working for free.

Its simple enough to arrange on their site and only takes around three weeks these days (had one ROR a few months ago). You even get DHL shipping labels so you can arrange for it to be picked up at your house.

With a ridiculous failure rate this is the kind of service you should expect and for once we're getting it.

00TJ · 10-09-2009, 01:19 AM

Mine's survived for almost a year already, and I play it quite often.

08-18-2009, 12:52 AM	#2
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,504 Thanks: 1,658 Thanked 1,820 Times in 1,042 Posts	snort, giggle

08-18-2009, 01:05 AM	#3
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	STOP SCARING ME.

08-18-2009, 01:07 AM	#4
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Hey, what's that red glow behind you?

08-18-2009, 01:24 AM	#5
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Oh, that's my other consoles.

08-18-2009, 01:55 AM	#6
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	My Xbox 360 still lives. I don't get to play it often since I'm not rich, though.

08-18-2009, 06:06 AM	#7
PONIES Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Griffon village Gender: Posts: 2,508 Thanks: 680 Thanked 54 Times in 45 Posts Blog Entries: 9	mine has survived one year so far... * stares at xbox360 elite, "dont you die on me!"*

08-18-2009, 08:49 AM	#8
Deku Trii PP&R Mod Current Events Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texas Gender: Posts: 9,031 Thanks: 521 Thanked 1,099 Times in 583 Posts	I've had one die. The replacement hasn't had any problems yet, but I also leave this one on a lot less.

08-19-2009, 12:31 AM	#9
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: DenCo Gender: Posts: 9,850 Thanks: 127 Thanked 365 Times in 192 Posts	Unscientific poll, means absolutely nothing.

08-19-2009, 01:01 AM	#10
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,102 Thanks: 2,157 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Like I said, all of the 360 failure stories have prevented me from buying one. If they remodel the system, maybe I'll reconsider.

08-19-2009, 01:09 AM	#11
Vgfian Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Listening to Seeking 7 Seven and giving out free hugs. :) Gender: Posts: 6,862 Thanks: 2,433 Thanked 398 Times in 311 Posts	^ Pretty much this with the added twist of me being broke.:/ Like the PS3 though, if I get the cash, and get a chance to get it, I'll consider it. The failure rate is what keeps me from being 100% positive on getting one. Instead its closer to around 60%-70%

08-19-2009, 03:45 AM	#12
Kargath et in Arcadia ego Join Date: Jul 2001 Gender: Posts: 8,334 Thanks: 1,226 Thanked 780 Times in 488 Posts	You can't release a service patch for hardware, Microsoft.

08-24-2009, 08:57 PM	#14
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: DenCo Gender: Posts: 9,850 Thanks: 127 Thanked 365 Times in 192 Posts	Again, not scientific, no guards against video game fanboyism (LOLZ 360 SUZX). The failure rate on the system has been pretty bad for consumer electronics, but if it were over the 50% mark they'd likely have dumped out the recall. The warranty extension confirms that it is high, but if the rate were actually 50%+, there would have been a fullblown recall or a much longer warranty extension. The circle of failure also isn't so much to the newer hardware (its gotten much better with each iteration), but due to the tech services refurbishing the previously replaced systems instead of giving each person a new system off the assembly line. Not that it isn't embarrassing to have an electronic device have a production failure rate over 10%, but it isn't that horrible, especially with the newer chipsets.

08-24-2009, 09:23 PM	#15
Demonicus Prime Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I Pity The Fool Who Confuses Me With Someone Other Than YoshiFreak. Gender: Posts: 3,108 Thanks: 648 Thanked 129 Times in 87 Posts	It also has to be taken into consideration how the consoles are treated, a 360 laying down on carpet, for example, will overheat ten-fold one that is raised even an inch off the ground. I'm not even going to address standing it vertically, as that's too obvious of why that would kill a 360 quite quickly.

08-25-2009, 08:27 PM	#16
Jesus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Gender: Posts: 5,617 Thanks: 104 Thanked 139 Times in 101 Posts Blog Entries: 3	The Xbox360 was also rushed when it was made with cheap after-parts for the 2006 christmas year.

09-07-2009, 10:03 PM	#17
bam23 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Gender: Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't get to play it often since I'm not rich, though.

09-15-2009, 10:52 PM	#18
Zharen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Modesto, CA U.S. Gender: Posts: 7,085 Thanks: 21 Thanked 71 Times in 35 Posts	MicRORsoft

10-05-2009, 02:24 PM	#19
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Suppin' Earl Grey Gender: Posts: 7,308 Thanks: 74 Thanked 149 Times in 103 Posts Blog Entries: 3	Microsoft have got their act together in Europe at least. I don't know anyone who hasn't had their Xbox Red Ring, but I also don't know anyone who hasn't shipped it off for repair and not got it back working for free. Its simple enough to arrange on their site and only takes around three weeks these days (had one ROR a few months ago). You even get DHL shipping labels so you can arrange for it to be picked up at your house. With a ridiculous failure rate this is the kind of service you should expect and for once we're getting it.

10-09-2009, 01:19 AM	#20
00TJ Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Gender: Posts: 185 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Mine's survived for almost a year already, and I play it quite often.