ComplaintsforMinn Kota

• Initial Complaint

  11/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We purchased our boat with the minnkota ulterra trolling motor already installed from the boat dealership (brand new boat) in 2020. In the last 3 years we've had to take the minnkota to the local authorized service dealer 4 separate times for the same issue (failure to self deploy) which has cost us over $2000 in repairs not to mention the new batteries that we also purchased because we were told by the service center that it "could help because minnkota is super finicky when it comes to battery power" AND all the down time that we are unable to use the trolling motor. It is currently in the repair shop AGAIN and I'm seriously considering throwing it in the garbage and purchasing a garmin. It seems to be a manufacturer defect that minnkota is aware of but not willing to do a recall to make it right.

  Business response

  11/06/2023

  Hello ******,

  We are sorry to hear you had several poor experiences with the operation of your Ulterra.  I would like to research what has been submitted as warranty claims by the service center and reply to you for what options there are.

  Can you please provide the serial number from the Ulterra?  It is located on the inside edge of the mounting base.

  Can you please provide the name(s) of the service center and the contact person(s) that have worked on this Ulterra since you owned it?

  Sincerely,

  ***********************
  Technical Support Manager
  Minn Kota  | Cannon

   

  Customer response

  11/06/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  The matter is not resolved yet and I would like to ensure that the company provides an agreeable solution before I accept their response.  

  serial # is unavailable at this time because it is currently at the service center. Please contact them and get records. 

  ***** marine is the service center that we've taken it to. ************************************************************************** **************

  Business response

  11/13/2023

  Hello *******,

  I spoke to ***** from ****** Marine this morning.  She provided me with the serial number from your trolling motor, ***********.  ********** is a #*******, RT ULTERRA112/IP-72" BT, manufactured on 11-04-2019.  The warranty period is 2 years from the date of purchase.  If there is no proof of purchase, the warranty period starts from the date of manufacture.  In this case, your warranty expired on 11-05-2021.  I looked in our warranty repair database and that trolling motor has no warranty claims against it.  ***** said your motor has been service 3 times by them, as billable service work, See the list below:

  07/2022: Trim module, steering housing, quick disconnect plug, and Quick Release Bracket
  07/2023: Quick disconnect plug as someone stepped on it, left side plate, and label on base for power button.
  10-30-2023: Trim Module

  Although we understand your frustration and sympathize with you for the two significant repairs (July of 2022 and October of 2023), your motor is now past the warranty expiration date by 2 years.  Unfortunately, we can not authorize a replacement motor.

• Initial Complaint

  08/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 7/7/23 I purchased a brand new Minn Kota Riptide PowerDrive55 with I-pilot from one of their on line retailers (Factory Outlet Store). I received the item on 7/12/23 and on 7/26/23 the motor was finally being installed on my boat by a marine mechanic. On 7/28/23 the install was complete but the motor did not run. I called Factory Outlet Store customer service to let them know the motor did not work. They advised to call Minn Kota tech support. The mechanic called Minn Kota Tech support on two separate dates to run through trouble shooting. They determined that the motor was not working. Tech support advised I take the motor to a certified repair facility. On 8/1/23 I dropped the motor off to ********************************. which is a certified facility 45 minutes from my house. After 9 days, according to the repair facility, on 8/10/23 they finally got to examine my motor and again determined it did not work and ordered parts. I asked for a brand new motor to be sent to me because thats what I paid for and it did not work out of the box. They said Minn Kota would not comply and I would have to wait for parts. As of 8/18/23 the repair facility has no Idea when the parts will be in or when I will get my motor back. This is unacceptable for a brand new motor I purchased that I never got to use. The price I paid for the motor was $1415.00 plus tax and I have nothing to show for it after 1 and a half months. I also had to pay $787.11 to the mechanic for install.

  Business response

  08/25/2023

  Contacted **** and we agreed to reset his 2 year limited warranty to start 08-25-2023.

  The trolling motor sustained shipping damage from Factory Outlet Store to his residence.  Minn Kota did not have a replacement trolling motor to send so **** agreed to have the entire composite shaft and lower unit replaced by an authorized service provider under warranty.  After **** confirmed the repair was completed to his satisfaction and he functionally tested the motor while on his boat, we sent a letter stating his 2 year warranty will start on 08-25-2023.

  Customer response

  08/25/2023

   Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

• Initial Complaint

  05/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called CS to help with a motor error issue. From the beginning they pushed to buy a new motor because this was 10 years old. The first rep said that it must be a software issue - problem is I didn't have a networking fish finder to do the upgrade. I invested in a new fish finder, did the upgrade and it still didn't work ($900 later). Talked to CS again, *** diagnosed as a potential control head failure. Wanted me to look through all wiring to make sure there were no loose connections. I disassembled the control board in the head and identified a defective component on the computer chip. I've got a guy who I employ that builds computers, CNC machines, etc. and says he can potentially fix the chip but needs the component number as it's unreadable due to the defect. I called *** back to get computer chip schematic and they refuse to help - says its not something they give the public. I asked if I could email a picture of the board and they give me the information for that single component, again refused and says they don't have electrical engineers that can help. Take a look at ****** maps - where you're located shows a sign hiring for electrical engineers! Minn Kota's solution is always to spend hundreds of dollars when in all reality if they helped with this it's potentially a $5 fix. Instead of offering great customer service and standing behind what they sell, they've chosen to discontinue all the major components on this unit so they can force customers into paying for a new motor. This tactic is clear because they've discontinued the remote and have also discontinued the control head. They did however "find" a head for me at a discounted rate after I complained that this was ridiculous they weren't supporting a motor that was built 10 years ago. This motor new is $2200 - who in their right mind spends $2200 for a motor that won't be supported 10 years down the line?

  Business response

  05/30/2023

  Hello ****,

  I left a voicemail for you today, hoping to discuss your trouble-shooting situation for why your i-Pilot link motor stopped working in more detail.  If we do not connect, I want to respond to your complaint.

  Your Terrova trolling motor, serial number ***********, was made on 04-02-2013 and is 10 years old.  Your i-Pilot Link system from that motor is no longer produced as the chip manufacturer discontinued making it for us.  Our agent started the trouble-shooting process with suggesting a software upgrade.  After that was unsuccessful we suggested a replacement remote but we were out of stock so one of our agents sold you a remote we had left over in our office at a discounted price of $100.

  After learning that was not the issue we suggested a new control head. However, the control head costs $531 and we offered a 30% discount to make it more reasonable.  Our agent did suggest you take the trolling motor to an authorized repair center and have it properly diagnosed before investing any more money into the motor.  We do not have the component list for the control head circuit board and and trying to repair it is not recommended.  May I suggest you look on **** for a used control head?  This might be a lower cost alternative for you.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

  Sincerely,

  *****

• Initial Complaint

  07/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Approximately 11 weeks ago my trolling motor (Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra, 112lb, 72" shaft, SN S302MK01048) stopped working properly, so I took the unit to a Minn Kota certified local repair facility. Prior to brining the unit to the repair facility, I called Minn Kota's technical center to inquire if a simple reset could fix the problem. They indicated a quick fix was not applicable for the type malfunction I was experiencing and speculated that the root cause was most likely a failed control board. I dropped the unit at the repair facility on May 13, 2022 (repair claim check #****) and they confirmed the unit did have a failed control board. The repair shop later called me and said Minn Kota told them the control board was on indefinite backorder. I then contacted Minn Kota (ticket ******, dtd 5/31/2022 and ticket ******, dtd 6/20/2022) and was told that problems with the supply chain make it difficult to predict delivery of the control board. However, the Minn Kota representative indicated a new shipment of the ** was expected late June 2022 or the first week of July 2022. When the expected delivery date for the control board passed, I contacted Minn Kota again to obtain a control board back-order lift date (ticket ******, dtd 7/6/2022 and ticket ******, dtd 7/11/2022). I was advised by Minn Kota that the control board was on back-order and the company did not know when the board would be back in stock. I asked what was the company's plan to expedite delivery of new boards and if boards were available from the trolling motor production line. The representative said no information was available regarding the company's plan to acquire new units and that repair orders would be satisfied first before boards were allocated for new production trolling motors. Minn Kota's policy is apparently blaming the supply chain events for late delivery of control boards and is not willing to share their plans and schedule to replace their stock to the consumer.

  Business response

  07/20/2022

  Hello Jan,

  We are sorry to hear about the delays in getting the circuit board to Trolling motors Unlimited in order to repair your RT Ulterra.  I spoke to *** at the service center and he now has the circuit board and can fix your RT Ulterra tomorrow or Friday.  Please contact them for the details.  Thank you for your patience.

  Customer response

  07/21/2022

   Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

• Initial Complaint

  06/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a Minn Kota trolling motor on 5-12-2018 at Cabelas in ****, **. Approximately six weeks ago my trolling motor stopped working and I took the motor to the local repair shop for Minn Kota. The diagnosis was a failed control board, reference claim #SO-9340111-00007. The repair shop called me and said that Minn Kota had told them that the control board was on indefinite/permanent backorder. I asked the repair person exactly what that meant and he didnt know but said he wasnt sure that he would get the control board from Minn Kota. He advised that I should contact Minn Kota myself so I did on 6-28-22 and spoke with *****. ***** advised that the control board was on back order and he did not know when they would get them back in stock. I advised that I needed some type of solution, I had already been without the trolling motor for over six weeks and I couldnt wait indefinitely for that part and be without the trolling motor. ***** said there was nothing he could do for me. I then asked to speak with a supervisor and ***** said he would have to have one call me. ****, the supervisor, called later that day and I explained the same thing to him and he gave me the same answer that ***** had given me. More or less I would just have to wait on the control board no matter how long that would be. I asked if they would offer any kind of compensation on a new trolling motor and **** told me no they wouldnt and that I would just need to wait on the control board. Even though he could not give me a time frame of when that would be.

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  The order placed by the service center for ******' control board has shipped and is expected to arrive at the service center on 07-05-22.  *********** center is aware of the order coming to him.  I spoke to ****** and informed him of the status and to coordinate with the service center as to when his trolling motor can get repaired.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩