2017's Most and Least Reliable Lawn Tractor Brands

2017's Most and Least Reliable Lawn Tractor Brands

In the survey conducted by Consumer Reports involving 11,217 subscribers, John Deere was recognized as the most reliable brand for lawn tractors, and it also stands out among zero-turn-radius mowers. Reliability is of utmost importance—our fix-it surveys indicated that readers are more inclined to repair their lawn tractors and ZTRs than any other items we examined, even when comparing them to major household appliances like washing machines and refrigerators.

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Although several models from John Deere, such as the John Deere X350-42 priced at $3,200 and the John Deere S240-42 Sport at $2,500, consistently excel in our riding mower evaluations, they are relatively high in price. Choosing a John Deere ZTR may result in a minor compromise in performance. So, how much weight should reliability have in your decision-making process when selecting the best riding mower for your property? Consider the following key insights.

Lawn Tractors

By the end of the fourth year of ownership, we project that 22% of John Deere lawn tractors may encounter breakdowns. Conversely, around 40% of Troy-Bilt tractors are estimated to fail within that period. While this might seem like a stark comparison, it actually highlights the exceptional reliability of John Deere’s models rather than serving as a critique of Troy-Bilt’s, as users of brands like Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and Craftsman can expect breakage rates hovering in the mid to high 30s.

Zero-Turn-Radius Riding Mowers

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The market for zero-turn-radius mowers has expanded, particularly as prices have decreased for more agile models. Many top ZTRs, such as the Troy-Bilt Mustang 42 at $2,300, now offer cutting performance that matches or exceeds some of the best tractors. According to our survey, these mowers are as reliable as traditional lawn tractors. John Deere takes the lead again with a breakage rate of 30% by year four; however, Toro closely follows—with its Toro SW ZTR priced at $3,000, which ranks highly in our testing, showing a breakage rate of 34%. Husqvarna falls to the bottom with an alarming 55% of owners potentially facing repairs by the fourth year, leading us to advise against its ZTR models.

Consider All the Costs

Experiencing breakdowns with your riding mower can be frustrating. The logistics of getting your mower to a repair shop may require a trailer or incur additional fees for pick-up and delivery. Furthermore, you might need to hire a lawn service to maintain your yard while your mower is in the shop. Fortunately, repair costs generally remain manageable; our survey reported a median repair cost of around $110. Keeping this figure in mind, along with reliability and performance, is crucial when selecting a riding mower. For instance, a comparison between the John Deere D130-42 and the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 reveals that while the Deere is more reliable, the Cub Cadet is $400 cheaper. With nearly identical performance, opting for the Cub Cadet even allows for the possibility of an extra repair and still results in savings.

A Word on Warranties

As some riding mowers are reaching prices of nearly $3,000, the significance of warranties increases. However, it's rare for repairs to fall under the manufacturer's warranty; only 17-20% of lawn mowers included in our survey were covered by the original warranty, depending on the brand. The coverage rate jumps to 26-34% for ZTRs, suggesting that these models might be more prone to early breakage.

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