Briggs & StrattonReviews of briggsandstratton.com

I bought a Bear Cat chipper that has a Briggs and Stratton engine. Everything was fine for the first 3 years, and then the next year it wouldn't start. The dealership picked it up and said that the carb needed to be replaced because of ethenol in the gas. It cost me about $350. The next year I used regular gas, but then switched to ethenol free to flush the carb out before I stored it. I didn't use it the following year, but again this year it wouldn't start. Again, the dealership had to replace the carb for a repair cost of over $400. I'm now only using ethenol free gas, but it's $30 a gallon. I also have a 40 year old Honda mower that was made in Japan. I use regular gas and sometimes it sits for a couple of years without being used. I never drain the old gas, but it starts on the first pull every time. If Honda can make an engine that always starts, then why is the Briggs and Stratton so aweful.

I purchased a Husqvarna electric pressure washer (Model PW2300, SN 02200623K05919) from Costco on March 30, 2024. The washer has only been used a handful of times, but recently developed a crack in the pump head/manifold, causing it to spray water and become unusable. What has been far worse than the defect itself is the customer service nightmare that followed. The phone numbers provided in the manual and on the product (1-855-566-9776 and 1-888-896-6881) do not connect you to a representative; they simply disconnect after several minutes. After much searching, I finally reached a Husqvarna representative, who told me I needed to speak with the Forest & Garden department. That led me to another number. The Forest & Garden contact then told me that Briggs & Stratton actually manufactures all Husqvarna pressure washers and that I needed to contact them. Calling Briggs & Stratton only led to an automated loop telling me to contact a local dealer, with no option to reach a human being. Attempts to bypass the system resulted in disconnection. In short: there is no effective customer service support for this product. A consumer who spends good money on a brand-name product should not have to jump through endless hoops, only to find no path for warranty support, repair, or replacement. I bought this unit expecting reliability and support if an issue arose. Instead, I’ve encountered misdirection, dead-end phone systems, and zero accountability. If Husqvarna and Briggs & Stratton value their customers, they need to: Provide accurate, working customer service numbers. Offer a clear warranty process without forcing customers into automated dead ends. Take responsibility for defective products instead of passing consumers back and forth between companies. At this point, I cannot recommend Husqvarna or Briggs & Stratton pressure washers or their other products to anyone.

I bought a pressure washer in May, it was always difficult to start and often backfired. In August it lost all pressure and the starter cord locked up. Having spent over 4 hours in front of my computer and dialing every number I could find to try and make a warranty claim I finally came to the conclusion that I was wasting my time. They have done an extremely impressive job of making it so difficult to speak to anyone that I doubt they need to deal with any warranties. Stay away from Briggs and Stratton whose engines are now made in China.

In the fall of 2020, I bought a new 2019 Simplicity Conquest 25-52. I opted for the 2019 model because they changed the suspension system to rear only in 2020 (probably a B&S cost cutting measure). The first time I used it, I saw big drag marks in the yard after my first trip around. I checked the rollers and the right side was locked up. I didn’t have time to call the dealer and wait so I pulled the end rollers off (literally pried them off with a crowbar) and lubed the shaft to get them turning. They continued to drag a little but I thought that would loosen up with wear. Things went along ok for a couple of years (except for the right side drag marks, which didn’t seem worth borrowing a trailer and hauling it across town to the dealer). Then one day while mowing, there was a horrible sound of metal coming apart and the tractor sputtered and died. I bent down to look under and the PTO pulley had disintegrated, taking a chunk of the wiring harness with it. I hauled it to the dealer and the warranty covered this problem. However, the dealer discovered a bent tie rod but it was warranty denied so the dealer bent it back as best he could. I asked dealer to see about the dragging deck roller. he leveled the deck but the roller is clearly not level. Another year passed and one day while getting up leaves, I backed up to dump them and the tractor would not restart. I was able to start it by jumping the solenoid but the next time, that would not work. I tried several things in discussion with the dealer but eventually borrowed a trailer and took it back to the dealer (warranty had run out). He initially thought it might be the push button start but when he tried it, he did not think that was the problem. He did find a bent piece on the brake pedal that triggered the safety switch and bent it back and it started. He tried again to fix the roller drag but it was still cockeyed when he leveled the deck. He said that Simplicity tractors do that (so much for the professional lawn they claim). Back home it was working and I was once again collecting leaves. After dumping the last load, the no start issue recurred. I checked all the safety switches and they were fine. There was no way to take it to the dealer since it was well back in the woods. After consultation with the dealer, he thought the only thing left was the push button start (remember, it’s a known issue). He sold and shipped me the replacement key start, I replaced it, and it started right up! Now, I’m waiting to see what happens next. I do know now that this one was produced when B&S was nearing bankruptcy. Maybe that had an impact. I’ve had 5 lawn/garden tractors over the years - 3 Simplicity, a John Deere, and a Craftsman. I’ve only spent a small fraction on the other 4 of what I’ve spent on this one. On the positive side, I love the suspension system, the power steering is very handy, and I’ve had no problem with the engine (once it starts). B&D, why did you ruin a great company?!

Replaced a B & S engine on an Husqvarna 4WD mower. Didn't get any warranty docs. Chased it and was sent a photo of a single-page and obviously incomplete photocopy. Querying this I was told: "The warranty document I sent you was exactly as stated by Briggs & Stratton, as it comes from them not something that we have written up, if the gent is not happy with the wording I am afraid there is nothing we can do about that unless he wants to place a call to Briggs in the USA, it is what it is 😊" So I've no idea what the warranty is or how to go about claiming. I don't think you could find a much worse example of 'couldn't-care-less' customer service if you spent weeks looking.

Ordered a part and never recieved. Can't sign on to website and can't change password.

Missing parts on a new generator. Small parts but important parts. They do not answer phone calls. You are in a loop that never gets you to anyone. They send you to a local authorized service center. They can't reach them. They said they often can't get reimbursed for their work and if they do it takes months. Shop wants you to pay upfront until they are eventually paid and then will refund your money. No service at all.

Bought plugs from Amazon and were sent by Briggs & Stratton in Canada and they sent their old garbage plug that was supposed to be replaced with a new part number. Useless. Can't use the form on their contact page as it won't work. Amazon won't accept return.