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I purchased a Toro Time Cutter zero turn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 8240 Exi 724cc engine in late July 2025. After the first operation of around an hour and a half, I noticed a pool of oil on the plate under the drain plug and with further inspection I found that it was dripping from a crankcase bolt behind the drain plug, but this bolt was tight and...
Read full complaintAppauling service
I purchased a Toro Time Cutter zero turn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 8240 Exi 724cc engine in late July 2025. After the first operation of around an hour and a half, I noticed a pool of oil on the plate under the drain plug and with further inspection I found that it was dripping from a crankcase bolt behind the drain plug, but this bolt was tight and...
Read full review11 Briggs & Stratton Complaints
Briggs & Stratton’s earns a 1.3-star rating from 1 reviews and 11 complaints, showing that the majority of engine users are dissatisfied with their products.
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Bad briggs & stratton engine oil sae 30
I used SAE 30 for my Husqvarna Model TS354XD, Engine Kawasaki FR730V 24.0 HP, and had an engine failure. I had to purchase a new engine and the above engine was not even 2-years old. The mechanic advised the engine failure was due to bad oil as it looked to have something in it. I was also, advised by the mechanic to have the oil tested. I would also request this be done.
Read full complaint19hp briggs
On my4 year old 19hp briggs I had to replace the fuel solenoid. Went to my local dealer who had the 846639 in stock, when he told me the price I was in shock the price was $72 dollars when I got home and looked on amazons site same part # it was $12.75. Thats quite a mark up. I had already bought the one from my dealer and it worked fine but at a higher price
Vanguard 6.5 HP motor
Model #: 13L332-0119-F8
S/N: [protected]
The motor was purchased new from Woodland Power Products Inc.
72 Action St. W. Haven, CT 06516 (Cyclone Rake)
Sales Order #SO-[protected] on Oct. 30, 2019 for $477.00
When I tried to start the engine, gasoline poured out of the carberator. After several attempts to start, I couldn't pull the starter cord. It seemed to be locked up. On 6/21/21 I took the engine to: Blair Auto Service & Power Equipment 9835 Charger Hwy. Duncansville, Pa. 16635. They told me the carberator needed to be replaced. They said their was dirt in the carberator. I called Briggs & Stratton warranty division and they told me they won't warranty the work because of dirt in the carberator. I wound up pay $153.09 for a new carberator (Invoice #10875).On 9/14/21 the same conditions as aforementioned happened again. I took the engine back to Blair Auto Service & Power Equipment, they inspected it & said "found needle not holding & found grass in the needle orifice". Once again they said this was not under warranty & I once again paid them $77.79 ( Invoice #13682). As of this writing the engine has the exact same problems. I've taken it to two different repair shops for repairs. Each time the engine has come back it still does the exact same things. This engine is a piece of junk. Briggs & Stratton says the engine is out of warranty and they won't do anything about the problem. I've had problems with this engine since I've owned it as evidenced by the work that has been done to it. The engine still spews gas out of the carberator when trying to start it, and after pulling the starter rope the engine locks up. I've had this problem since 6/21/21 and this engine still doesn't work.
Desired outcome: I'm asking that Briggs & Stratton make good on the original warranty and replace this engine with a new motor and reimburse me for the money that I've spent trying to have it fixed.
Oil leak through air cleaner.
In march 2022, I bought a Toro self propelled push mower at Pile Hardware in Charleston WV. I took it home and promptly mowed my grass. About a week later, I went to mow my grass and the mower wouldn't start. I checked the airfilter and it was full of oil. So I took the lawnmower back to pile hardware (where I bought it) and told them what it was doing. A...
Read full complaint1-gallon gas can with push button safety
I recently purchased (4-29-22) a 1-gallon gas can with a push button safety on it. I am extremely disappointed in the product. I struggled with the push button part to get it to work that it caused damage to my right arm and shoulder. I am not in severe pain from this. The product is not easy to use at all! I would like to hear back from someone ASAP. Thank you. Jennifer Gibson - [protected]@gmail.com
Lawn mower engine
Upset customer! I recently purchased a lawnmower with a Briggs & Stratton engine which was purchased in June. On July 15, I added oil that came with the mower as directed. I was mowing the lawn and the engine didn't seem to be running and high speed I thought something was abnormal with the lawnmower. The grass that I was cutting was just cut a week before. I continue to start to cut the yard in the engine started to smoke out of the exhaust there was so much smoke I thought the engine was on fire at first. I took a turn authorized dealer and they said that the engine broke because I did not have enough oil in it which is absurd because I just bought the lawnmower and added an oil as directed. The dealer said Briggs & Stratton would not cover this because There was not enough oil in the machine. When I removed the dip stick, there was oil in the machine but it was gray looking which was from the burnt pistons. . I am going to call consumer affairs and everyone I can to resolve this. I contacted another dealer and he tried to help me find a good contact number without success. Every number was automated for me to contact an authorized dealer. I even tried calling corporate and once again no luck. Next is the BBB….. I am so upset, I am not going to let this go!
As of today September 18th, which has been almost three weeks and I still do not have a lawn mower.
Michael Hargrove
[protected]
Desired outcome: Refund / new lawn mower
Lawn mower
Bought my Briggs and Stratton lawn mower last summer, after mowing my lawn twice with it the liner on the grass catcher bag failed and had to be removed in order to keep mowing my lawn. I contacted Briggs and Stratton and they claimed that no one else has ever complained about this. I belived them and purchased a new bag this spring. I have used it twice and halfway through the third time I mowed the lawn I observed that the bag liner had torn again. I have made numerous attempts to contact Briggs and Stratton using the contact information on the website (they do not provide any phone numbers) and they have failed to contact me.
Desired outcome: Provide me with a bag with a liner that doesn't fail after two hours of use.
Gift card will not validate.
Gift card for $175.00 for buying a product from Briggs and Stratton Corp. P.O. Box 9018, Coppell TX. [protected]. Bought through Gibbsville Implement, in Waldo, WI. Bought on 5/29/20. This was a promotion of a rebate for buying a zero turn lawnmore. The gift card finally arrived but when trying to activate the card it will not accept the card. I would like to receive my money.
7k standby generator
I have a Briggs 7k standby generator about 4 years with 64 hrs on it. ( 500cc Intek motor) it has not run right from the day i bought it. Fouled plugs, rough idle, LOUD, and backfireing on start up. Finally after 3 1/2 years when I really needed it during a power outage it wouldn't start . Briggs tech came out and said it has a blown head gasket internal governer is bad and probably bent valves, and it blew my muffler in pieces ( still have muffler if anyone wants pictures. The 17 1/2 Intek is a bad design with many flaws as you can read on the Internet . You don't see Briggs on commercial mowers anymore either, usually it's Kohler, Honda or Kawi .I wrote to Briggs to see if they would sell me a replacement engine at cost, they never even responded. DO NOT BY BRIGGS AND STRATTON they are not the company they once were. I bought a Predator generator from harbor frieight on recomdations from 3 people who owned one. The 8500 generator cost $535.00 . One friend has 4, 500 hrs on it another over 1, 200 and another about 750 hrs. It's awesome and runs sooooo sooomth like an electric motor( no vibration like the piece of junk Briggs. And a lot quieter ! Btw I own the following .
1997 Honda harmony tractor ( all original ) runs just like new .
2005 lawn boy
2006 toro snow blower
1990 home lite chain saw
2008 mazda 3s ( 128, 000 miles)
2012 Chevy Colorado 60, 000 miles
And more ! My point is I take care of my stuff, Briggs you made a horrible engine and did not handle this properly ! BTW you can't post negative reviews on Briggs site so don't believe the BS that's on there.
Had Mazda CX-7 ( 125, 000 miles)
Home lite chain saw
1990 home lite chainsaw
Bad service
I have a Briggs and Stratton home generator. The system failed during Hurricane Gustav. I could not reach anyone at the company to help me work through possible solutions. I sent an email as was suggested on the website. Five days later, I still had no reply. When I contacted the company by telephone, I was put through to someone who could help. I reached his voicemail and received a message that his mailbox was full and could not accept any more messages. I called back, and was put through to the head legal counsel to the president. She had a technician call me back. By then, 5 days after the generator failed, I finally talked to s human who could offer some possible causes for the failure. In the end, my local service company was finally able to reach me and check the generator. By then, the utility company had restored our power.
I found this company to be less than available and less than helpful when they would be most needed. I could not recommend a Briggs and Stratton home generator.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Hey it's not limited to you guys in the 'States - I paid $3500 (AUSTRALIAN) four years ago for a Husqvarna ride on mower, LTH2038, with a 20hp B&S "Endurance" engine. 309 hours and it has just let go a rod - upon examination - one rod bolt had come out, totally destroying most of the bottom end. Oil is perfect, journals are all perfect, bores perfect, cam lobes perfect - the rest demolished. Mower shop and B&S don't want to know as they hide behind "it's out of Warranty". I believe as consumers we have a right to an expectation of a fair & reasonable working lifespan from these products - it seems the Briggs & Stratton brand has no concern over it's seeming demise - I am amazed to read so many similar complaints on this and any other similar forum.
If you take the time vs distance equation - 309 hours in a motor car @ 60mph => 18, 540 miles. Would a new car customer be happy with an engine demolition at UNDER 20, 000 MILES? I THINK NOT. I THOUGHT BRIGGS & STRATTON WAS A NAME TO TRUST. I ALSO THOUGHT HUSQVARNA WAS A NAME TO TRUST. AGAIN I THINK NOT.
WE NEED TO TAKE THIS MATTER FURTHER - THIS IS A DISGRACE. This has only just happened to me - 14/09/2015 but I have not finished yet ... matter of fact I'm only just getting started.
My best regards to others out there who also feel wronged - Steve Hale. Melbourne, Australia.
My email address for anyone interested in contact is: shale33@ford.com
I have used Briggs and stratton engines many years and see where they have went from number 1 in the world to lower than any 3rd world quality.
There warranty they do not stand by their reputation is fallen below industry standards.
Why not just close up shop and let others that really care make good reliable products.
Was at Lowes a few days ago looking at the new mowers.
Told one there deciding to buy, think twice briggs and stratton produces junk now.
Google all the complaints about this product, make your own decision.
From Lawn mowers to troy built generators, all bad, , very bad.
Even the honest small engine repair shops say avoid them.
Some don't because they will need many repairs, money in there pocket.
My briggs and stratton generator died or so I am told by their service center. It had only 40 hours on it and they tell me the piston rod has broken and I am better off buying a new generator. I am totally pissed off with their quality and service. I spent $900 on a generator and it only worked for 40 hours. I will never buy another briggs and stratton powered equipment ever.
I have a craftsman 19.5 hp single briggs about 100 hrs wouldnt run repl head gsket then head was leaking thru int vlve put a new head on it (140) same thing backfires thru carb, new flywheel key I am done with it am looking for a non ohv engine 12hp or so the older ones seem so much better this new briggs is junk my main mower is a cub cadet and hS A KOHLER TWIN WITH 600 HRS STILL GOING STRONG
Briggs and Stratton 17.5 horse is a disgrace to their once good name. ###ed people as engineers. Go back to the drawing board and use your designs from thirty years ago.
I am having the same issue with the connecting rod caps/bolts coming loose. I opened up my engine over the weekend to find the rod cap on one of the pistons lying in the bottom of the engine.The other rod was still connected to the crank and seems to be in perfect working order. If I was an investigator I would wonder why the cap was not on the connecting rod or at least why the rod was not still connected to the crank even if it broke the rod itself. It appears that the rod bolts eventually worked themselves loose and caused this issue. My Sears
GT 5000 riding mower can with the 24hp els motor. It was used only when my lease house was vacant so it had very low hours on the mower. The tech at Briggs and Stratton is writing this off as my fault without even investigating/examining the motor itself. Not a very good practice for a company as well known as Briggs and Stratton. Go with Honda or kohler if you want something that will last for years.
After reading all the problem's that people have with the Briggs & Stratton 17.5 hp overhead valve engine's it looks like the engine is a great dud I was told to go and fit some other brand of engine to my mower the joke was on me for buying it . Mal Peden
Who told you that?
My Neighbour has recently had his ride on fail with a Brigs & stratton 19.5 hp Intek avs engine. By the look of the hole through the side of the block its thrown a rod. The journal I can see looks shiny and smooth suspect either loose bolts or inferior con rod failure (Chinese junk). The more I read about how common these failures are makes me believe that people should look at buying an engine made in Japan eg Honda or Kawsaki or what ever but not BS.
This engine is 3 years old and serviced.
Mick J
I am deperately finding a way to believe that B&S just gave up on all these years of quality. I figure with all the competition from foreign countries they are sending people over here or over there to deliberately sabotage american companies products and maybe communications. My experience has been that if a foreigner answers the phone at am American company, we usually don't get satisfaction. Companies are at fault for sending stuff foreign for manufacture or assembly. In the end the consumer is charged over and over again in taxes for parts they normally may not need for years.
my mother was medically ill with stage 4 cancer and was still working until they told her she could not return to work until she was better... and fired her. which in casse she lost all insurance and benefits... and she also lost her life. id like to request the dept of labor to investigate further.
I have recently picked up a lawn mower from a salvage yard. It is a 20" "WEED EATER" brand and the reason I grabbed it is that it is in perfect, like-new condition.
My friend owns the salvage yard and said I could take it and check it out. I have been working on small gas engines for 35 years.
The first thing I did before I loaded it up was reached under and tried to turn the blade. I either expected it to be locked up (seized), or spin very freely with perhaps an occasional clunk (broken rod). The latter was the case.
Now, Keep in mind that I have nothing to gain or lose from posting the following experiences. I have always had a reasonable respect for B & S engines and being a small engine mechanic, I have always been able to either catch a problem before it got too bad, or repair/resolve it in a not too costly manner.
So I disassembled the engine and did not find any signs of seizure. What I did find was one rod bolt that was laying loose in the sump and one bolt that was still loosely screwed through a broken rod cap into the broken piece of rod.
It appears obvious to me that these bolts had become loose and worked their way out of the rod for a period of time until the rod became loose enough aroung the crank journal to cause the rod to break. Both bolts were slightly bent and one showed significant wear where it had been rubbing and wobbling in the threads until it wore the threads enough to work its way out.
I am in the process of cleaning up the parts. I will replace the rod, clean up some nicks on the crank, replace the sump gasket, clean and reassemble the engine and plan to use it for a considerable time. I am confident that I will get some good service from this mower once I reassemble it.
This model engine does not have a rod bolt keeper like older engines used to have. I do not know what happened to cause this problem but I am assuming that perhaps the bolts were not torqued correctly. My own personal comfort would be knowing that the bolts cannot mechanically back out do to a "bolt keeper" so I intend to provide such prior to reassembly.
To conclude, it is a shame that someone bought this mower and only got a very small amount of usage out of it prior to its defective failure.
Too much trouble and time wasted to prevent such occurences or merely a lack of concentration on the assemblers part.
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Checked and verified by Olivia This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreOct 10, 2025