Xbox 360 Failure rate, not 30% like some haters claimed.

[Melkane]

Report Claims Xbox 360 Failure Rates at 16% news from 1UP.com

Significantly lower than some estimates, but higher than Microsoft's.

There's been a lot of press about Microsoft's red ring problem. Estimates of the problem have been all over the map, and when he was working for Microsoft, Peter Moore referred to them as a moving target. Company estimates pinned it at a fairly normal 3%, while some retailers have put the percentage as high as 1/3 of all systems.

A new report claims the truth is somewhere in the middle. SquareTrade deals in selling warranties for electronics, and has amassed their over 1000 warranty claims to come up with some interesting data. The findings were a 16.4% failure rate of Xbox 360 systems, versus a roughly 3% rate for the Sony PlayStation 3 or the Nintendo Wii with sample sizes in the high hundreds. The well-known "Red Ring of Death" error accounted for about 60% of those hardware failures, and thus most system-breaking problems are covered by Microsoft's extended warranty plan.

SquareTrade CEO Steve Abernethy speculated that the future may see an even higher percentage. "It is reasonable to believe these failure rates will increase over time, since the Xbox 360 failure issues tend to increase with prolonged use where overheating appears the main culprit," he said. Abernethy went on to note that while the company didn't track the different variations of the 360, he "would estimate most if not all were the original motherboard."

In taking statistics, the two most important factors are sample size and randomness. By using a pool of over 1000 redeemed warranties, the report's sample size is sufficient. On the other hand, since the sampling was taken from people who have to seek SquareTrade's warranty service out, the possibility exists that the randomness factor could be skewed, leaning towards heavy system
users who are more likely to overheat their 360s. This doesn't invalidate the report by any means, but it is worth keeping mind.

1UP has contacted Microsoft for comment, but as of press time we haven't received a response.

16% not 30% and even then the numbers may be skewed higher than what it actually is, just because it was from people who sought out SquareTrade's warranty service. On top of that at least 60% of those 16% are covered by Microsoft's extended warranty.

Melkane Reviewed by Melkane on 02-15-2008. Xbox 360 Failure rate, not 30% like some haters claimed. Report Claims Xbox 360 Failure Rates at 16% news from 1UP.com 16% not 30% and even then the numbers may be skewed higher than what it actually is, just because it was from people who sought out SquareTrade's warranty service. On top of that at least 60% of those 16% are covered by Microsoft's extended warranty. Rating: 5

[MadSativa]

Well I know 4 people out of 7 who have had the 360 and those 4 all had their 360's crapp out on em. I know about 27 people who have had thier PS3's for over a year now and 1 out of 27 had their PS3 crapp out on em. Which sony paid for except shipping, they said the power supply was defective and on recall, she paid 30 bucks and in a week it was sent and returned brand new. I sold my 360 way before I had any problems.

[zeitgeist]

Everyone with a 360 that I know of has had it crap out on them

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I bought a 360 a month ago, and the power box in the chord went dead after a day. So I went back and got a new one, and after 2 weeks it started grinding as loud as a blender. So I replaced that one with a 3rd power chord, and it was completely dead! At that point I lost all faith in the 360 and returned the whole damn system, having wasted $120 on two games.


A damn shame too because they really do have the best games. I was addicted to Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect. But clearly Microsoft are a bunch of cheap assholes who aren't too concerned with quality.

[THClord]

My friend is at his 7th 360 now, and even that is starting to die. (Occasional red lights)

[Bond]

I honestly don't believe anything 1UP says about the %.

Probably 90% of my friends that have a 360 have come across red rings at one point and have had to mail there box in. The other 10% are just waiting for it to happen.

They just released the console far to early.

[Hennessy1414]

oh hell yeah your 360's gonna break but i dont care

halo 3 and cod4 are too fun mang :rastasmoke:

[surreys princess]

i dont know....i have never had a problem with my 360.....but playstations? they broke like clockwork, didnt matter if it was the original, 2, or 3......it may have been the socom, but i am pretty sure it was the parts...lol.......i torment my 360, and it purrs like a kitten to this day....

[Hennessy1414]

i dont know....i have never had a problem with my 360.....but playstations? they broke like clockwork, didnt matter if it was the original, 2, or 3......it may have been the socom, but i am pretty sure it was the parts...lol.......i torment my 360, and it purrs like a kitten to this day....

do u play online? what games? :rastasmoke:

[EmoRebellion]

Yeah, I agree with most of the posts here. I personally know about 10 people with 360s, and at least 7 have been in for repair. The other 3 see light use only.. I think 30% is an estimate on the light side.