Retailers Estimate Xbox 360 Failure Rate High as 33 Percent

mike2h

Source: DailyTech
__________
By several metrics, the Xbox 360 is the most successful console so far of this generation. Despite the startling pace of the Wii, the Xbox 360 still has the most consoles sold worldwide and the longest list of games and exclusives. For a gamer looking for online-enabled high-definition gaming today, the Xbox 360 appears to satisfy those needs.

One often overlooked factor when considering a console purchase is reliability, an area that is becoming apparent where the Xbox 360 falls short. Anecdotal evidence is heavily pointing to Microsoft’s latest console as being significantly more prone to failure than what consumers are accustomed to.

Microsoft has said before that its Xbox 360 failure rate falls within three to five percent, what it believes to be well within industry standards. Internet reports from Xbox 360 owners, however, suggest that the failure rate is much higher than that.

mike2h

was really hoping to see some feedback on this. my grandson is wanting one for his birthday but im thinking it may not be that great of an idea considering this & a couple of other reasons.

bug77

Why not get him a Wii? Sounds like a lot more fun.
Sorry, can't help more, I'm really not into consoles.

Erroneus

Hmm sounds scary. I got a Wii now, but planning on getting a xbox 360 later this year, because of GTA4 and some other games built for HD systems.

But 33% seems really high, hopefully the new cooling they have added lowers this number.

technonerd

I guess I'm one of the lucky person, 8 months with no problem at all.

dipstick

I don't doubt it. Both at home are getting ready to go in for repairs and they are only a couple of months old. I'm so sick of these disk read errors. Even better when it tells you to put the game in an xbox 360..

Babalou

My roomate has an xbox360, and yes they run incredibly hot even sitting out in the open with plenty of ventilation.
It will get hot after 5mins of gameplay.
My solution was buying some little rubber stickers to place on all 4 corners under the xbox to give it a little more elevation.
In effect it allows a better airflow under the console.
So far, this has reduced the heat greatly, it doesn't get anywhere near as hot as it did before.

The main thing is make sure the console is not encased in a cabinet ,leave it out in the open.
Also try my idea of rising the console a bit.
There are a few xbox coolers out there that you can buy, but unfortunatly microsoft will not honor your warranty if you use these device.
As the rear cooler for one has had many reportings of failing and becoming a permanent attachment to the xbox.

If this is for a young one, i'd say skip the xbox360 and go for a nintendo.

That aside, it is an amazing console!! And its quite a view to say the least.

Judas

I think the high failure rate is related to the first Releases. Way back when the xbox360 was first released and so many people had problems with them. I'd like to see results of returns on models manufactured after say summer 2006.

Babalou

Got one here, 3rd time replaced (not repaired).. Aug 2006.

But honestly, since I put the stickers on the bottom its been all good.
There was clearly not enough elevation under the console and it got pretty hot.

Edit: I have seen an xbox elite in action though, it did seem to run cooler.
(though I don't know how long it was running)
So perhaps the problem might have finally been solved.

Pluvious

I think the key to buying a 360 at this point, would be to make sure the store you buy it from will offer a Extended Warranty that will outright replace a broken 360 with a new one off the shelf. (you keep the old hard-drive) The store I bought mine (in Jan of this year) guarantied that, so I feel protected from this problem. (only problems I've had is a few minor lockups very rarely)

Dyre Straits

My son's original 360 went kaput earlier this year. It was bought on the first day of release back in Nov 05.

(I've already written about this elsewhere.)

Anyway, if you have American Express USE IT to buy any electronic/expensive device if you can do so! Without that, he'd be out his 360. AmEx, however, refunded the full purchase price after Microsoft put him on a 'hang up list' if he called again about it.

BlueMak

I got mine last September, no problems yet.

OmegaRED

I've been looking into getting a 360 but these stories of DOA units is scary not to mention it makes buying a used 360 a game of Russian Roulette.

Erroneus

It would be nice if there was some way of knowing which ones used the new cooling system. ( http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthr...169#post568169 )

mike2h

i think he is going to be getting a wii. thx everyone!

Zardon

yeah as much as I love it, if you want a reliable console, the 360 should be last on the list. they are made like S*(T. at least that is one thing the latest PS3's have going for them, the build quality is vastly superior.

mainman

Have one broken waiting for MS to pick it up, mean time i got a replacement core since this is gonna be a long f'in wait...

The_Neon_Cowboy

remember on average a person with a
good experience tells 3 people
bad experience tells 10 people

this is the general rule in regards to anything so that could be why
the INTERNET results are too high. As for ms their numbers seems
to low. maybe because they like include all 360 including those unsold.
the real number? is probably some where in the middle

but usually I hear after 90 days is when most fail and many
have cooling issues which is why there is such a market for
added cooling...