Briggs and Stratton Reviews

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About Briggs and Stratton

Pros
  • Easy to maintain and repair
  • Good value for the price
  • Wide availability of parts
Cons
  • Frequent engine failures reported
  • Poor customer service experiences
  • High repair costs for issues

Briggs and Stratton Reviews

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    Page 2 Reviews 10 - 40
    Verified purchase
    PricePunctuality & Speed

    Reviewed Feb. 5, 2024

    I bought a 24 inch 2-staged 208 cc snow blower the winter of 2021. We were looking for something reasonably priced, decent reviews, and that was 2-stages so it could handle a gravel driveway. It has been a nightmare since day one. First year, it kept on stalling or would not start at all. We thought it might have gotten water in the tank one stormy day when we were filling up the gas. We tried fresh new gas and carburetor cleaner. But still never ran right. Always had the throttle open. Second year we didn’t use it much. Worked okay, stalled sometimes or took forever to start. The linch pin on the left wheel broke, which we replaced. Third year, before the winter season, we cleaned out the carburetor - it was so rusted and gunked up! Shocking for only two years. We got it working, appeared to have no trouble starting. Not stalling anymore. We were excited. But then the pin on left wheel breaks. We replace it. It’s breaks 5 more times in less than three uses. That’s right, a fresh new pin broke in under 10 mins of use.

    The power steering is also failing, staying in a locked position so the wheels won’t turn. Finally we go and use it today, the pull start cord snaps in half. We start it electrically and 30 min later. The left wheel pin breaks yet again. Absolute nightmare! The manual, and when I call to inquire, tells me to bring it to a Briggs and Stratton certified mechanic/dealer to get it looked at. But I do not have a way to transport it unless I rent a trailer and car to pull it. And if I had to do that every-time something was wrong. I’d pay more than what it is worth. DO NOT BUY! We are never buying this brand again.

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    Installation & Setup

    Reviewed Jan. 22, 2024

    Briggs & Stratton 1024L snow blower. Purchased last year. On the second use, the cable for propulsion broke. Couldn't have been in service for 10 hours. Parked it in the garage until this year. This year I took it to a service store I've done business with for decades. He installed a new cable, changed the oil, and tuned the engine. I ran the engine using the gas left over from last year until it was used up. This was about two uses, maybe 5 or 6 running hours in total. Filled the tank with new gas. After that the thing would not start.

    Using the electric start, the engine turned over but would not (will not) start. Primed it, smelled gas. Let it sit for a while in case I flooded it. Tried again and again, still wouldn't start. Removed the spark plug, it looked like it had been dipped in tar, and cleaned it. Now, the spark plug won't go back in. The threads don't appear damaged but the plug just won't just catch. My service guy could not offer any solutions. So now I have nothing but a gray piece of junk headed for the recycle bin. Don't buy this piece of ** if you can avoid it.

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    Price

    Reviewed Jan. 13, 2024

    So I bought a new snow blower, middle of the line and was given relatively glowing reviews from the salesman. Unfortunately on the first pull start, the belt slipped off. So no problem, I took off the side panel (metric btw but not all nuts were the same size for some reason) which was poorly fitted and seemed to be slightly bent to make it sit right. I put the belt back on and it seemed to start and run just fine after a quick test. First day after a snow I took it out, and ran it for maybe ten minutes and the belt snapped. I've seen bottom of the line blowers and decided to upgrade this time, going with a more powerful gas blower, not realizing that some of them are apparently just as cheap. Not worth the price tag by any means.

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    Price

    Reviewed Aug. 12, 2023

    Bought a John Deere mower in late 21 to mow our half acre. Fourty hours on the engine and it got hard to crank. I immediately knew it was a known issue with the Briggs engine and the compression release on the cam. Had to tear the engine apart myself and replace. Briggs used to be a good product. Now they are built cheap to fail. Cheapest design for a compression release. Why haven't they recalled these or at least changed the design. 40 hours to fail is a joke. I'm replacing the mower this week and the new engine will be a Kohler. No more briggs crap for me.

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    Reviewed Aug. 4, 2023

    This is by far the hardest company to talk to about a warranty. YOU CAN'T. 5 hrs on the engine and I had to help turn the engine by hand to get it to crank over. Valves were so far out of adjustment was the reason they silicone the valve covers on. WHAT? Why? They tell you to adjust yearly. I owed my last Simplicity lawn tractor for 17 years so I figured I would purchase another. BIGGEST mistake of my life. What a pile of crap. Burns the grass if you stop. Rattles like crazy. Leaves clumps of grass. Trying to sell and take a 1500 dollar loss but I don't care at this point. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. WOW!!

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    Reliability

    Reviewed Aug. 2, 2023

    Model 33R877 type 0008 Engine failed when the magnets fell off the flywheel. 3 seasons of residential homeowner mowing of small lawn. The loose magnets destroyed the stator. Just out of warranty. If they can't glue magnets properly, then they can't build an engine for anyone who expects an iota of reliability out of an American Company.

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    PriceReliability

    Reviewed June 29, 2023

    This has been without doubt the single most unreliable and ineffective push-behind mower I have ever owned. Every single time you use the product, a new part is broken, new maintenance needs to be done. The biggest joke is they have the audacity to put 'Guaranteed to Start' on the hood of the thing, and it has never once in its entire lifespan ever started on the first pull. Stay away. Stay very very far away. As it is I have a $600 CAD paperweight in my driveway. The mower has become an endless headache and money pit, having cost more than $120 is additional repairs since its purchase just 2 years ago. Never as long as you live ever buy any product from either Briggs & Stratton or the parent mower company Toro. Never..

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    Reviewed Dec. 7, 2022

    I purchased from Home Depot a Troy Built 42" riding lawn mower. The mower has a 19hp Briggs and Stratton engine. The engine went bad within the 2 year warranty period. I took the mower to an authorized Briggs and Stratton dealer. They took the engine apart and sent pictures to Briggs and Stratton. By looking at pictures Briggs and Stratton determined the engine had been ran at some point in its life without lubrication. I assured the dealer the oil had never gotten low, there was never any reason to add oil cause it was never low. The machine had approximately 30 hours on it. The oil was at operating level and not even dirty black yet when I took it in for inspection.

    The dealer sided with me and said Briggs and Stratton have been dishonoring more and more in the past couple years. They also told me the engine was NLA and the entire machine was discontinued. I expect cause it was found to be problematic? I had to pay $75 to pick up a dismantled pile of parts. Not to mention with double bagger kit I paid $1,700 to mow my lawn only two seasons. I will never buy a Briggs and Stratton product ever again. I only wish I had paid a couple hundred more and bought a John Deere!!!

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Nov. 30, 2022

    After 3 1/2 months the mower quit working. Took it to the authorized dealer Which charged me $75 to tell me that Briggs and Stratton would not honor the 2 year warranty Because they claimed that the air filter was dirty and there was lack of lubricant even though the oil was full and clean. Briggs and stratton will not contact me back I have sent numerous emails.

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    Reviewed Aug. 13, 2021

    This lawn mower is simple and if you have to replace parts they are easy to get at Walmart. I have had this lawn mower for 15 years. It is easy to clean and starts up every time with a spark plug once in a while.

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    Reviewed July 31, 2021

    At first I was leery about this mower but after using in love cutting the grass. Gives grass a smooth professional cut. I do not use my weed wacker. If you looking for a precise cutting mower with just the right amount of power then invest in a Briggs and Stratton mower.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed July 30, 2021

    Briggs and Stratton has been a staple in the small engines for our riding mowers for years. The dependability and affordability can’t be match by other manufacturers. With proper care these engines will last a lifetime of mowing. You can always know that you’ll get reliable customer service and be able to get all the parts you need, no matter how old. I’ve always trusted this brand with my mowing needs and so should everyone else.

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    Reviewed July 29, 2021

    B&S always been a great product. I've owned several products with B&S in them and never have let me down. I recommend B&S products to my family and friends. Other products are good but can't compare to B&S.

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    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceCoverage

    Reviewed May 2, 2021

    In November of 2019, I bought a Dual Stage Snowblower from Briggs and Stratton with a one-year warranty. Two days after my purchase, it snowed and I was eager to use it. After opening the box and reading the manual, I tried starting the engine but it failed to start. After two days of trying to start the snowblower, I brought the machine back to the store, expecting to return it. The store told me that since I had already tried starting it, I must call Briggs and Stratton, rather than returning it. When I called B&S and they directed me to a local repair shop. The shop would not repair the machine without payment, so I called B&S and they assured me that the warranty would cover the machine. I tried the shop again but they would not accept the warranty.

    Once again, I called B&S and asked them to talk to the repair shop and they agreed and I left the machine at the shop. After waiting for a response from the shop, I called B&S to confirm that they had contacted them about the warranty, they told me that they were busy but were going to do it. I called B&S many times in the next few months asking when they would contact them, their response was the same every time, they would get around to it. After about six months of the same response, they stopped answering and would leave me on hold without ever picking up. Three years later, I have not gotten a response, my snowblower is still at the shop, and Briggs and Stratton have dishonestly kept my money. This company is untrustworthy and not worth your business.

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    Customer ServiceCoverage

    Reviewed Feb. 26, 2021

    I wouldn’t recommend anyone buying any Briggs & Stratton products!! I bought my pressure washer in April 2020 and stored it in my garage till last month and opened it up to use it and ran horrible! Smoking running rich and didn’t make pressure would barely run. Called Lowe’s to return it and they guided me to Briggs & Stratton for the issue. Came with a 2 year warranty and they won’t even cover the carburetor that was bad! So I’m stuck with a brand new pressure washer that doesn’t work!!! Worst customer service ever and warranty!! Bought a new one today with a Honda motor and it works perfect!

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    Customer ServiceInstallation & SetupReliability

    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2021

    When the 12 kW generator kicked on during a power outage, there were swings in the voltage noticeable by the lights in my home getting dimmer and brighter and an accurate voltmeter I own oscillating between 114 and 119 volts. In addition, the 12 kW generator would not support the air conditioning in my house which I was told it would do. I had completely lost faith in this unit and wanted to replace it with a Generac but the cost to install a new control unit along with a Generac generator was excessive so I kept the control unit and upgraded to a 20 kW B&S in September 2020.

    Today, less than 6 months after installation of this new generator, while clearing the snow off and around the generator, I noticed the blue status light was flashing. I called called the dealer and to their credit a service technician arrived within a few hours. The technician told me that he replaced a faulty control board within the generator. The new part, he told me, was an upgraded version of the original part.

    This causes me to wonder, if B&S knew the part was faulty and needed upgrading, why wasn't a recall notice issued and the part replaced proactively? I also wonder about other parts that are going to fail. I am completely distrustful of this particular unit and B&S products in general. While researching online how to contact B&S, I discovered that B&S has gone bankrupt and is now run by an equity firm. This is not a company with whom I will do further business and from whom I am sorry that I purchased generators. If I could afford it, I would have this unreliable unit removed and replace it with a unit I can trust.

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    Coverage

    Reviewed Jan. 21, 2021

    Used as replacement engine on Steiner 420 only to have breather cover on valve pan vibrate off and begin to leak oil while mowing and can't notice resulting in way premature engine failure in 112 hours. B&S could have cared less when contacted about part falling off engine. Had a lot of things with engines but none ever had parts fall off. I would suggest any other motor for repair.

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    Reviewed Nov. 13, 2020

    I bought this Huskee lt4200 mower with a 17.5 Briggs and Stratton engine not even a year ago and am having nothing but troubles with it. Engine compression is shot. Won’t start without manually turning the flywheel. I’m a 46-year-old woman. I am so unhappy that this is not working. We did everything the book said and it still won’t work.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Sept. 16, 2020

    I bought a Husqvarna with a B&S 18.5 Itek motor 03/24/19. Garage kept oil, and filter changed 3 times and a lot good it did. The mower looks brand new but still has a compression problem. The motor simply won't start. Now I have to find a mechanic and they will have to take the motor off to find the broken part. My yard is less than a 1/2 acre but still this is just too much for this Husqvarna with the 18.5 item mower. IT IS MY FIRST AND LAST. I haven't been able to speak to a real person about this yet.

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    Reviewed July 1, 2020

    I have been a small engine mechanic for years. Briggs & Stratton have never been able to get their carburetors are the governor's right and they will break down before warranty is finished and right after.

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    Reviewed June 10, 2020

    Purchased a Toro zero turn with a BRIGGS and Stratton 24hp motor. I have a level 7500 square foot lot that I cut frequently and still only have 30 hours on a 3-year-old mower. The mower is kept in a shed and not exposed to the elements. Recently the Briggs engine started smoking with a strong odor of unburnt gas. Had it taken in for repairs (about a month before the 3 yr warranty expires). After disassembly, the repair shop said the cylinders were rusted.(?) To my knowledge I've never used a high content ethanol gas. Toro and Briggs rejected a warranty claim saying the water in the ethanol rotted the cylinders. My $4000 zero turn now needs a $2000 repair. The guys I work with laughed when I told them I bought a Toro mower and laughed harder when I said it had a Briggs and Stratton motor on it.

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    Reviewed June 9, 2020

    Craftsman Lawn tractor 21hp Briggs & Stratton Single cylinder Blown engine rod went through block. Terrible Engine. Only used the tractor 6 times. Bought brand new. What a disappointment. They need a recall on this garbage!

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    Reviewed May 2, 2020

    Long story short, a mower I bought in the fall is 100% dead come spring. I took proper care and maintenance and the end of the lawn season. It is junk. Went and bought another, but not a Briggs & Stratton.

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    Reviewed April 11, 2020

    I have a 21 HP single cylinder Briggs and cut half acre it's a pretty steep slope at least 2 times a week plus some other peoples yards I do and it's going on 11. Not a single issue with it. Runs like the day it was bought and my lawn mowers have Briggs on them too. Never had issues so I dont see why all you are having issues. You must not maintain them properly. My neighbor had a mower he bought 12 years ago. Used and never changed the oil and it's still running today. I wouldnt own any other than a Briggs.

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    Customer ServiceCoveragePriceStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 9, 2020

    I bought this mower from "brandnewengines.com" on March 20th, 2019 with my understanding it had a 2 year warranty. In the fall the mower started running very rough (chocking). I contact brandnewengine's about where to take it for warranty work. They said "Ball Equipment in Parkville, Mo. was the closest Simplicity authorized deal". In early December 2019 I took it to Ball Power Equipment. When I told them the problem they said it should be covered by my warranty. In early January they finally called saying my mower was ready and the bill was $500+ dollars. When I asked why it was not covered by warranty the girl said she didn't know and the owner "Mr. **" would call me probably the next day.

    After 3 days Mr. ** called and said the spindles that he replaced were ruined because they had no grease in them. Impossible- the mower was fully serviced by brandnew engines before delivery and I greased it several times in the 9 months I used (the manual only calls for lubrication once a year (12 months). He said the fuel pump was ruined by me running ethanol fuel in it (manual say up to 10% is safe). He also said blade needed replaced. So I contacted simplicity about the warranty work. A man (Ron ?) Called me and said he talked to Mr ** and that he told him the spindles were ruined by me hitting something (changed the story sounded better I guess) and that I was should be running additive to the fuel to counteract the ethanol (in my manual the only time it says anything about adding additives to the fuel is storage).

    It was obvious from the beginning Ball's was not happy about doing warranty work on a mower he didn’t sell. He was asking where I bought the mower and why (HE said probably to avoid paying taxes on it). He was rude and bound to find a way to charge me. Ron from simplicity was no help (I was wrong; dealer was right). The reason I bought the m mower was knowing I would be covered for 2 years. But I see now how you stand behind your product. I will not recommend your product to anyone. Ed **. p.s. The only work I authorised was the carburetor problem. Model# 2691318-00

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Feb. 5, 2020

    I bought a Toro mover with a B & S engine. I don't use it a lot so I use fuel stabilizer. Guess what? After 6 months it won't start! Called a dealer as HD does nothing. All they had to say was: "Your fuel is old, you didn't use a stabilizer, might have a carburetor issues etc etc. Bring it in!" So I guess this means I have to repair this POS (piece of **) every 6 months. Ridiculous! My handy friend couldn't get it going either.

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    Reviewed Nov. 28, 2019

    Have a one year old Simplicity Courier zero turn with this engine that does not like to start in cold weather. SUPPOSEDLY Briggs & Stratton and its ReadyStart system should make it as easy as a car, but every car I've ever owned starts easier than this thing in the cold. I can get no answers from B & S or Simplicity about solving the problem other than to take it to a 'warranty center' - but they don't tell me where one is or how I'm supposed to get it there. Useless support.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Nov. 8, 2019

    If it was possible to give no stars I would do so. They have the worst customer service, I was on hold for 30 minutes until I decided to call from another line and then they answered. Supervisor talked over me while I was trying to speak and was not trying to do anything to help the situation. They were an actual headache! I hate this company with a passion and I hope they go out of business.

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    Price

    Reviewed Oct. 10, 2019

    2 months past warranty. The engine on my 2017 mower is junk and yes I take great care of all my engines. Changing oil is cheap. This engine has had 3 oil changes in 25 hours. No reason to crap out other than a decompressor that would not have to be there if they could put on a good starter. This was engineered to fail. They should be ashamed of this.

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    Reviewed Oct. 2, 2019

    I bought a Snapper XD electric mower, but it's a Briggs and Stratton product and comes with a manual with their name on it. One of the two 82V batteries that came with the mower would not fully charge on the initial charge and never would on subsequent charges. According to the manual, it is charging to 60-80% of capacity. It runs the mower about 25% less time than the "good" battery that came with it. I've now called B&S 3 times. The first two times, I was encouraged to use the battery a few times and recharge it, to see if it would become normal. It hasn't. I called today, expecting them to send me a new battery. The service rep said that his supervisor said that my faulty battery is performing better than their minimum standards and they're not going to replace it. Thanks a lot!

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    Briggs and Stratton Company Information

    Company Name:
    Briggs and Stratton
    Year Founded:
    1908
    Address:
    12301 W. Wirth St.
    City:
    Wauwatosa
    State/Province:
    WI
    Postal Code:
    53222
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    www.briggsandstratton.com