Xbox 360 Failure Rate Pegged At 54.2%

The Consumerist reports epic fail on the Xbox 360 manufacturing. According to a print edition of Game Informer, a survey revealed that the console suffers from a 54.2 percent failure rate, compared to 10.6 percent for the PlayStation 3 and 6.8 percent for the Wii.

The magazine surveyed nearly 5,000 readers to get the data. And while the 360's rate is alarmingly higher than the others, it's still bafflingly low because it blows the mind to imagine that 45.8 percent of the consoles have not broken. Also, Microsoft's numbers are inflated because 360s are used the most of the three consoles. Results said 40.3 percent of 360 owners use the console three to five hours a day, compared to 37 percent of PS3 owners. Meanwhile, the plurality of Wii owners (41.4 percent) play their consoles less than an hour a day.

Microsoft also seized the gold medal for unhelpful customer service, taking nearly a month to repair or replace a console, while Nintendo and Sony stuck closer to a week. Only 37.7 percent of Microsoft customers found the company's customer service was "very helpful," compared to 51.1 percent fo Sony and 56.1 percent for Nintendo.

The most shocking number from the survey - and frightening from a consumer perspective - is only 3.8 percent of Xbox 360 owners said they'd never buy another Xbox because of hardware failure.

I feel lucky, I'm still on my 3rd 360. Atleast getting them replaced is easy enough. Still would recommend 360 over Bluray player (PS3) and shitty casual game machine (Wii.)

UPDATE

Responding to GameInformer's survey that estimated a 55.4% Xbox 360 failure rate, Microsoft issued an official statement which didn't refute the number.

"Microsoft stands behind the Xbox 360 as a superior entertainment console with one of the best warranties in the industry," reads the official statement. "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."

Instead of refuting the numbers, Microsoft's statement stressed that their superior warranty makes such a high failure rate irrelevant.

Xbox 360 Failure Rate Pegged At 54.2%

Comments

Log in to Comment

Kyaztro 2009-08-17 21:01:55

I still play the gamecube

Billy-Bean 2009-08-17 21:05:51

I've had my 360 for more than a year and it still works fine.

MrAbnormal 2009-08-17 21:10:50

Same with Billy Bean. SMD

SammyMT 2009-08-17 21:16:44

My Elite Burnt A Hole Through "The Orange Box" Today, I Still Love It Though, Had It Since March This Year And That's The Only Event So Far...

SevasTra 2009-08-17 21:41:55

"The magazine surveyed nearly 5,000 readers to get the data."

That's where I stopped actually believing the article. That is only 5,000 out of how many people and not all of those 5,000 had a 360. I'll more believe an article about the percentage of 360s broken to the number produced.

Anti-360 much Consumerist magazine. :/

FatBadger 2009-08-17 21:41:55

I know people that are on their 8th 360... I've been to their house, they take good care of their equipment, it is clean, etc. You obviously do not have many friends with 360s.

lifeofmystery 2009-08-17 21:42:23

mine just broke a month ago and i got it back in a week.

Tykwa 2009-08-17 21:59:34

Broke 7, on the 8th one, I placed it in my fridge.

Naxster 2009-08-17 23:09:20

You mean there was something after the 3DO?

turtleco 2009-08-17 23:10:55

I still play on my pong machine.

ChampionBob 2009-08-18 00:08:59

That's why you get A PC!

FatBadger 2009-08-18 00:08:59

My pc is primary game machine, then 360, ps3, psp, ds, dreamcast.

ColdReaver 2009-08-18 00:37:16

Funny, I got red rings of death on my 360 a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was dead but it turned out fine.

FatBadger 2009-08-18 00:37:16

it's dead...it will get worse very soon.

okis 2009-08-18 00:57:45

360 is fail

mrpibbs1 2009-08-18 03:05:38

yeah my xbox just got the red ring... oh well,,, at least i got my ps3 and pc and shit

rtil 2009-08-18 04:28:25

anyone i know who's broken an xbox 360 either treated it poorly or played it too much

all i know is that my dreamcast still works

FatBadger 2009-08-18 04:28:25

Sega did a good job on the DC, but they forgot to implement piracy protection. I have never had to return or get any electronics repaired, except for 2 360s. Trust me Rtil, it is not related to whos using them and what they've done, like most products.

woxx 2009-08-18 05:14:20

I had my Xbox360 for over a year and its still running^^

S-K 2009-08-18 07:05:03

Nearly a month to repair or replace a console? Lol reminds me of that story about that guy who got his 360 signed by the creative staff behind Halo. It got bricked so he sent it off to microsoft with a letter begging them not to remove the signatures, but they did anyway.

FatBadger 2009-08-18 07:05:03

Bungie sent him a new one, with signatures by the whole team, and lots of free shit. That kid was an asshole anyways.

blackduckie 2009-08-18 08:02:11

The console is only as good as the games. Xboxes wouldn't have sold half as much were it not for Halo.

TheDaveAngle 2009-08-18 08:09:28

I'm a caveman, I still play the old NES.

PaperBat 2009-08-18 09:48:54

I have 360, Wii, and ps3, and to be honest, the only one I dont play often is my PS3, I love my 360 to death, and I still play my Wii with friends.

Keanoo 2009-08-18 10:44:27

I still play with sticks and stones

More Results