Failure Rate for Xbox 360: 16 Percent (Report)

Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:11PM EST

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Compare that to failure rates of about three percent each for the PlayStation 3 and the Wii, according to the recent survey. Oh, and did I mention that I just sent my second 360 console in for repairs?

Gaming site 1UP.com got its hands on a survey from SquareTrade, a firm that sells warranties for various consumer electronics. The company recent took a thousand claims it received and compiled statistics about relative gaming console failure rates. The results? The PlayStation 3 and the Wii both clocked in with failure rates of three percent, pretty standard when it comes to the average gadget. The Xbox 360, however, racked up a failure rate of 16.4 percent, according to SquareTrade, with 60 percent of those failures due to the dreaded Red Ring of Death.

As 1UP.com notes, estimates of actual Xbox 360 failure rates have varied wildly, with some guessing that about a third of all 360 consoles end up biting the dust. Microsoft initially pegged the number at just three percent, although former Xbox exec Peter Moore later called the figure a "moving target." Redmond eventually extended the Xbox 360 warranty to a full three years (and took a $1 billion charge in the process) to cover all the repairs.

Of course, I have my own bone to pick when it comes to Xbox 360 failure rates. I bought my first 360 back in November 2006; by May 2007, I got hit with my first Red Ring of Death. To its credit, Microsoft quickly replaced my busted console, although as I recently reported, the new unit was plagued with a variety of bugs and glitches. Anyway, about a week and a half ago, it happened again: my 360 froze up, I reset the console, and there it was, the Red Ring of Death. Just yesterday, I shipped off my inert beige box to the Microsoft service center in Texas for repairs; if I get a replacement (as opposed to a repair), it'll be my third Xbox 360 console in 15 months.

OK, I have a couple questions for you gamers out there. First, for the Xbox 360 owners: how many consoles have you been through so far (or are you still on your first one)? Second question: has anyone ever had a PS3 or a Wii fail on them?

Related:
Report Claims Xbox 360 Failure Rates at 16% [1UP.com]

Comments on Failure Rate for Xbox 360: 16 Percent (Report)

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  • 46 Posted by jcab923 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am on my 2nd 360. I AM ON MY 4th PS3!!! Apparently the 3% failure rate only applies to my house!

  • 47 Posted by yellowtahoe195 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Bought a 360 in August, it was on its 86th day out of the box when the 'ring of death' hit. Best buy swapped it out for a new one. But wow... if a PC manufacturer had a failure rate in those percentiles, they'd be out of business.. Sounds like that 3 year warranty for $49 might have been a good investment.. good grief.

  • 48 Posted by bigdkbwpd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I guess three is the lucky number. got the red ring twice. now that i got a third replacement and not repair. i have bugs like crazy. game freezes or wont even play game says that i need to put it in an xbox 360 console. some bull----- . these things cost to much to be such a hassle, especially when it is the best console out right now. beefbwpd- on xbox live hit me up

  • 49 Posted by maphia_111 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Still on my first from when the first line of 360's popped out... the only problem I have is my disc eject sticks when I push the button... so I have to keep the face plate off so I can manually eject it with a paper clip... other than that its been fine

  • 50 Posted by veggie_man2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a PS3 and do not have any problems with it. I bought it since they initially launched. I would like a 360 just to play halo but I love the ps3.

  • 51 Posted by kenichi_mifune on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    FWIW - I have a PS3, my first one had wierd issues (effectively DOA). I returned it to the store, was given the run-around, they claimed that I must have done something to it becuase they "had never heard of a unit failing". Finally got a manager to honor their replacement policy and the replacement unit has worked flawlessly for about a year now.

  • 52 Posted by jaswins@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    im on my second 360.my first 1(which i bought in black friday) got teh red rings 1 month after i bought it.this one was made in 2006.now, my second one is a falcon which is way more reliable because it doesnt over heat like the old ones.my new 360 works perfectly.its not the halo 3 version.

  • 54 Posted by jking1478 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Right now, I just got a second. I had the first one for a year, but I think I might have played the first one for about a month. Deployment got in the way and I wasnt about to take it over the sand box. And the new on is acting up when I play Halo 3. Now it looks like playstation 3 will get a shot

  • 55 Posted by j_ay_rell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I still have my original since launch, but I have been having a few problems with it. Anytime its used for more than a hour or two, a red light will display on the power adapter and it will not power up until it cools. I also have a issue with the tray getting stuck when I press the eject button. I'm to lazy to send it to MS but whatever. My PS3 works perfect, so I'll just continue to play uncharted, resistence, and warhawk.

  • 56 Posted by shinnah1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    My first. Got with halo 3 release. still running but disc drive is kinda noisy

  • 57 Posted by newbieslave1962 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have purchased 2 consoles, 1 for each of my boys both have been running great for two plus years.

  • 58 Posted by workermom_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    We bought ours a year and a half ago used from a pawn shop. No problems so far, even use it in the car on long trips.

  • 59 Posted by waji_anwar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Im still on my first one (knock on wood) I got mine about 2 months after they were first released.

  • 60 Posted by thouston305 on Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:54PM EST Report Abuse

    I am still on my first console...knock on wood!

  • 61 Posted by jspro8152 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm on my third 360, but in all fairness I upgraded to an Elite 360, so I only had one problem. But Interesting enough I'm also on my second Wii.

  • 62 Posted by jspro8152 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm on my third 360, but in all fairness I upgraded to an Elite 360, so I only had one problem. But Interesting enough I'm also on my second Wii.

  • 63 Posted by shadowsndust61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm on my second console. The first one failed just after the first year. I was sent a replacement a year ago and so far its been fine. I have to admit though, everytime the screen jumps or freezes for a split second I'm holding my breath. I will give Microsoft some credit for recognizing a problem and extending the warranty for three years. The better solution for the consumer would have been to stop sales for a few months and resolve the problem. I would feel much better if they released an improved model with less glitches than spending all their time and money developing the halo or elite models.

  • 64 Posted by puluvsme on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm still on my 1st 360 as well. I bought it just prior to the release of Halo 3.

  • 65 Posted by astrzelecki on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought my Xbox in July 2007. The next day i got the red ring of death.Microsoft took over a week to send me the box and then took over two months to get a replacement. I ask myself if the it's worth it to buy this console.

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