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New survey puts Xbox 360 failure rate at 42% photo

Microsoft truly does give the word "unacceptable" an all new layer of meaning. Despite the company's endless assertion that the "Red Ring of Death" problem is all but eradicated on Xbox 360, evidence nevertheless continues to prove MS wrong. A new survey demonstrates that the 360 is still a big box of fail, with current expiration rates standing at 42%.

The poll quizzed 500,000 people, which is a pretty notable sample size. This far removed from the system's launch, such a figure is simply unbelievable. By comparison, the survey reports that 8% of PS3 owners have experienced hardware problems, while a mere 1% of Wii owners needed their systems replaced. And if you want an even more shameful statistic, 55% of those who suffered 360 failures have had to repair or replace their system more than once. 

Truly amazing. As it stands, I don't think there's a person left on staff who has owned a 360 more than a year and not had it die on them. It's never a case of "if" a 360 breaks, but a case of "when", and there's absolutely no justifiable reason for gamers to fear turning their console on every day for fear of it falling apart on them. What an absolute farce.

Survey Shows that 42 percent of all Xbox 360’s Fail [Digital Trends]








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149 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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DANMATEYE's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:23
DANMATEYE
guy at the front of the pic is like ''YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!'' lolz
NiNFAN1990's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:23
NiNFAN1990
I'm technically on my 4th.
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:24
Jesus H Christ
That Jim Sterling, always ripping on the PS3!
NoJ87's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:25
NoJ87
This is why I find the sales charts funny. Sure the 360 had an earlier launch, but the fact that half of the people that buy their systems need to replace it has nothing to do with Microsoft's inflated wallet. And I own a 360, so don't claim fanboy here >.>
SandNMyShorts's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:25
SandNMyShorts
On my 3rd, bought my original in March of 2006. Hoping when the next one breaks they'll send one with a G-Damn HDMI port.
HEL105's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:26
HEL105
That is pretty terrible. My 2006 model hasn't had any problems, but I know several people who have had to send in their consoles for repair. .
garethxxgod's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:28
garethxxgod
JIM STERLING YOU FUCKING PS3 FANBOY!

You've gone too far this time....

Wait... Jim Sterling PS3 fanboy...hold on let me try again.

Jim Sterling you fucking PS3 fanboy...

Wait no still doesn't sound right.
NiNFAN1990's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:30
NiNFAN1990
I must state that Im on my 4th in 2 years, though only one of them was replaced because I was burgled, the rest broke.
P-Dude's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:31
P-Dude
Jesus, that's almost 50%! Imagine if you wanted to buy something and the sales rep told you that you have a 50/50 shot of the thing fucking melting on you. My first one RRoD'd a year or so ago and then I got an Arcade (which apparently has a lower overheat rate) and slapped a 120gb hdd on it.
keptsimple's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:31
keptsimple
Everyone I know who owns a 360 has RROD. Curiously, my 360 broke and had to be replaced (thankfully, still under warranty at the time), but I don't think it was the typical RROD. I had 2 red lights (i.e. 1/2 of a ring), rather than the usual 3.
Bravothreezero's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:31
Bravothreezero
I actually know some people who initially hated and avoided the ps3 for its price but are now on their second 360, which they bought themselves cause the warranty for the first one was over. The hypocrisy can be amazing.

as long as you take people's money gradually they wont realise how much theyve spent
campbell00's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:31
campbell00
How can this poll be considered the "present" rate of RRoD? I bet the questions consisted of:

1. Did your 360 RRoD?
2. When did it RRoD?

To me, it'd be almost impossible to tell if newly manufactured 360's were breaking. Add to this the fact that you don't receive a new 360 when you send it in, and it makes a pretty useless poll.
garethxxgod's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:32
garethxxgod
On the lighter side my two 360 friends have yet to replace theirs so I haven't witnessed the phenomena yet. I'm not sure how old either system is but a year life span? Replacing more than once? That's pretty fucking ridiculous.
Davilan's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:32
Davilan
PS3's so much better
SkillzKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:33
SkillzKing
lol everyone is always whining about the ps3 fanboys but now look at the 360 extremist bitching around this article lol
Methos's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:34
Methos
I'm also on my 3rd Xbox 360. My launch unit died (RROD) after Crackdown came out. The repaired system lasted until sometime after Fallout 3 with the E74 scalar chip error. Since the warranty was long passed, I picked up a "Jasper" unit sometime later and so far so good. Although I haven't touched my 360 ever since I beat Mass Effect 2 awhile back. My PS3 and Wii? Never had a single problem with either.
Sasserman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:35
Sasserman
If (read: when) my 360 knackers out, I'm just gonna go MENTAL.
Mastrmeatwad's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:36
Mastrmeatwad
i wish they included the model, date of manufacture and which chip in the poll. That may help distinguish if the newer models are just as bad with failure rate. I personally believe that MS should extend the RROD warranty beyond the 3 years to something like 6 years. But it seems the 360's that crash and burn seem to be around the 1-1 1/2 yr mark, at least from the people i know.
Corduroy Turtle's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:36
Corduroy Turtle
I think it has a LOT to do with how you take care of it. Just my 2 cents.


I realize that, beyond taking care of your system, RRoD is still a problem.
jawshoeuh's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:36
jawshoeuh
@Jesus H Christ
"That Jim Sterling, always ripping on the PS3!"

hee hee hee
superjay779's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:37
superjay779
I call bullshit. Friends of mine that have the new one have not reported any problems. This is just troll feed.
pl0x kthanxbai's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:37
pl0x kthanxbai
"A new survey demonstrates that the 360 is still a big box of fail"

what an incredible selection of words jim, the result is certainly not offensive in the slightest



this guy is certainly a king among trolls
Flake's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:38
Flake
And to think, my NES purchased in 1987 still works just fine.
David Bergendorff Hstbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:38
David Bergendorff Hstbo
My laptop hasn't failed.. and it's like 2 years old.

*doing the evil laugh*
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:38
Jim Sterling
"what an incredible selection of words jim, the result is certainly not offensive in the slightest "

Offensive.

OFFENSIVE.

Videogames. Serious, OFFENSIVE, business.

Drama queens.
vatoloko's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:39
vatoloko
I bought my 360 a little after Dead Rising and Saints Row 1 came out, so I think about 10 months after the thing came out. Anyway, I still have one of the first production 360's and that thing is still kicking ass.
Infamy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:41
Infamy
Except new Jasper 360's don't rrod anymore. Way to use random survey troll feed to get hits because you ran out of ps3 posts, Jim.
Flake's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:41
Flake
@Jim Sterling: Haven't you figured it out yet? No matter what you write, you can't win. The people will still find some irrational issue to take with you. Your life as a games journalist is akin to greek tragedy. You are the Oedipus of gaming news.
BrainLazy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:42
BrainLazy
It's just a question of heat. Newer Jasper Xbox 360's put out less heat. Less stress on solder joints. Less newer Xbox 360's will RRoD.

Also, the only actual correct information is from the support centers. Not from surveys.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:43
Electrium
How can you possibly say they haven't fixed the problem? We have no way of knowing that. I'm not saying it's not shit hardware, it definitely is. Well, was. Until research is done on how many Falcon/Jasper chips RRoD, it's not fair to say that the problem hasn't been solved.

There are a few launch 360s haven't RRoD'd yet. And there's still plenty of early model 360s out there that haven't either. Asking when the RRoD occured doesn't indicate whether or not the new hardware is effective.
MooImaChicken's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:44
MooImaChicken
I have been rocking my jasper, and i mean rocking by playing almost everyday for one year and still have no issues, so far so good. I wanted to ask any of you guys know of somebody with a JASPER who gave him RROD?, because all my friends with the RROD had either a falcon or the first one, which name i suddenly forgot!!! XD
John B's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:45
John B
Count me in the minority who have not had a problem in almost two years. Of course, I made sure to buy the newer version of the hardware when I went looking.

No RROD here ... yet.
The Pilgrums's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:46
The Pilgrums
Jim stop being such a 360 fanboy!! GOD, you are so biased!!

But seriously, that's just sad. Microsoft really screwed the pooch with this hardware.
HappyElk's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:47
HappyElk
"what an incredible selection of words jim, the result is certainly not offensive in the slightest"

You know what's offensive? My XBox failing three times in three years. Microsoft's product design division can suck my balls. I may even get Jim's likeness tattooed on them first, for added humiliation.

In other news, my friend is bald so it must be true that no humans have hair. Any poll saying humans can grow hair is completely bullshit because my friend said so.
Ramalho's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:49
Ramalho
I've had my Halo Edition 360 (don't judge me it was the only available) for 3 years now, the only problem I ever faced with it was how small the HD is, lol.
wh1terav3n's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:49
wh1terav3n
Hold on now, this is asking people if they've HAD one that failed, not if its a RECENT one that failed. The article says, "The most recent survey does not include data on when the Xbox was manufactured or purchased." Therefore, you have no right Jim to make baseless, general accusations that the problem still isn't fixed.

Honestly, I expected better from you. Read the frickin article before you misuse it to make it sound like something its not. Isn't that what you yell at other press for?
bmart008's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:51
bmart008
This is the biggest reason why I don't want to buy a 360. The real question is, how many 360's of the supposed install base are broken ones? When people here have 4, or 5 broken machines that were replaced, MS says they've sold 5 boxes even though 4 of them could be sitting in a warehouse that MS owns. I guess we'll see what the parody is when 3rd party games start selling the same numbers on both boxes. Some still are a big difference like Modern warfare 2 selling 7 million on xbox in NA and it selling only around 4 million on PS3, (though everyone knew the DLC would hit the 360 first) a game like assassin's creed 2 sold almost at parody on both systems and there was no platform exclusive content. Arkham Asylum on the other hand sold better on PS3 just with that extra Joker content. IF the 360 has really outsold the PS3 2-1 in NA, those numbers should be stacked for Microsoft every time.
KCalder's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:53
KCalder
I'm hoping E3 in June will bring the announcement of the 360 Slim/ 360 Natal, or whatever that new board they put up on Joystiq belongs to.

Then I can decide whether to hold out, whether the last two models really are safer, or if I should buy someone's old failbox and take my chances. I still think $299 is too much to pay for something so prone to failure, and I really just find the mandatory pack-in games obnoxious rather than generous.
Omgyiyja's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:53
Omgyiyja
On my 3rd, after the 2nd one's warranty ran out I was up shit creek and had to fork out on another Arcade model...Microsoft suck balls...
ZetA RE UP's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:54
ZetA RE UP
So be it. I have owned 3, 4 including my banned, but bought only 1. For those that would like to know how, see Lawdogs or RBJTech's method. Yes MSoft f'd up and yes the consumer should not have to perform these repairs on a $300 console, but...I dunno I just enjoy my "box"...Orville Redenbacher ready...
garethxxgod's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:54
garethxxgod
LOL @ the few people who are butthurt over this. Can't get into an article fast enough to throw your two cents in about the failings of the PS3 but now suddenly, it's about the 360 and it couldn't be more WRONG. Someone needs to post that "pot calling the kettle black" pic in here.
teke367's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:54
teke367
I bought a refurb 360 last summer, so far no problems. I have a 360 and PS3, and when games are on both, I go PS3, so perhaps my 360 isn't used enough to get a RROD, I did get the SquareTrade warranty though, something I would almost never do for other types of products.

Thought I read something last year that put the failure rate for 360s over 50% though, so perhaps this is "progress"?
MooImaChicken's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:54
MooImaChicken
The funny thing is i will buy the next gen console in a heartbeat with so much fail, I am pretty sure next console will be tested to death... then again it's Micro$oft so logic does not necessarily applies. Do not get me wrong i think the X360 it's a great console with great games, but being objective hardware wise has been a huge letdown, for just too many people to be acceptable...
KwikPwn's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:55
KwikPwn
Fail Sterling is
FAiL TrOll. BIAS!!! PS3 fagtart!!! UR arse is huge!!!

Seriously though, MS needs to get their hardware reliability issues squared away.

It's not acceptable, and it will kill them if their next gen console has similar issues.
Gorescream's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:56
Gorescream
Here comes the fanboys.....
PhunkyPhazon's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:56
PhunkyPhazon
...Wow. Though it's no huge surprise. I literally don't know a single person with a 360 who hasn't gotten the Red Ring at least once. Come on Microsoft, your system has been out for around five years now, there's no excuse for not having fixed this.

Ironically though, I actually had to send my Wii in for repairs once. I didn't need to replace it, but it makes me feel lousy that I'm one of the few people who has had that happen <_<
SoraX3's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:57
SoraX3
OOUUCH!!! XD Sending it Twice?!? Wow! I did fall in the 8 and 1% of PS3 and Wii needing Service from the Company, But Nintendo Extended my Warranty by signing up the Wii and Re-Warranted after sending too and the PS3 had a Nice Home Fix to it.They need to take lessons from theses guys in Customer Care!
Videodrone31's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:57
Videodrone31
My sound card recently went out on my arcade model 360 with a Jasper chip set:( Not the Rrod but it still sucked. That's my 3rd box that's broken. My ps3 has broken once.
pl0x kthanxbai's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:57
pl0x kthanxbai
"Offensive.

OFFENSIVE.

Videogames. Serious, OFFENSIVE, business.

Drama queens."




"We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else."


right below the comment box, read before you post jim
KCalder's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/15/2010 11:57
KCalder
teke, where'd you get your refurb from?
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