Versa reliability?

[Jcruzen]

Please tell me I am not the only one to have the Versa completely brick up time and time again? I am currently waiting on my FOURTH warranty replacement since I purchased the original last fall. The first one lasted the longest, at almost 4 months. The most recent one failed completely after just a month and a half. Two have suffered from sensor failures (likely from moisture, I’m guessing?), one had a screen that just died completely, and one had a screen issue that caused the viewable area to shrink and the colors to reverse out like a photo negative. 

But here’s the thing: I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary with it! I just wear it every day. I sleep with it. I run daily, and I wear it when I wash my hands. Otherwise, I take it off to wash dishes or when I’m in the shower. So it isn’t exposed to excessive amounts of water or abnormal wear and tear. The only thing I can figure is that either I have like acid sweat that’s eroding whatever moisture protection the watch has, OR that the watch is inherently defective. 

I like my Versa(s). I have purchased several bands, so I’m kind of committed now. While I find Fitbit customer service to be generally helpful, every rep I’ve spoken with has told me that my warranty will run out on the one-year anniversary date of my initial watch’s activation. Given my track record with the watches failing, I find that problematic. Shouldn’t I expect more than just a couple month’s use out of a $200 watch? 

Has anyone else had repeated reliability issues? Were you able to find an effective solution? 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, have a look around on this board and you will see a lot of problems mentioned regarding the Versa, such as: battery problem, HR problems, Sleep loggind, syncing, etc etc. Mind though that the ones who do not have any problem with their Versa do not post here. FYI, my Versa is untill now very reliable. Sometimes a hickup with the HR, but that's a known issue and can be solved be the restarting procedure. Otherwise, no probs at all. 

[Jcruzen]

Right. I had looked to see what other issues people have had and I saw many similar issues. I was mostly curious to see if other people had gone through multiple devices that stopped working entirely. It seems really strange to me. Once, sure. Twice, maybe. But FOUR devices? That seems like a lot. All I really want is for my Versa to work correctly most of the time. If it has problems that are fixable, that's NBD. But it seems so strange to me that I haven't seen or read of this happening to anyone else, especially multiple times. 

[SunsetRunner]

It happened to some people also, who are know on their fourth replacement. 

[Ps532]

I'm on my second and my wife will be going on 3rd in less than year. I don't exercise run or anything don't wear in shower etc. Getting a little disappointed in product 

[CraftyArty]

No, you are not the only one that this has happened to!  My story is so similar....my first versa, bought last Autumn, lasted six months, the second also six months and the third only two months.  Like you, I take it off if I'm showering, I rarely swim in it and if I do only in pools, not the sea.The first two died completely and the third just has a blank screen and does not connect with my fitbit app, though bizarrely the alarm still goes off each morning when it's charged! I was loving this Versa but now am totally disenchanted. I too have bought extra bands. I'm currently trying to decide what to do....Do I get  it replaced AGAIN which has been offered by Fitbit or try another waterproof model (which I would have to buy, even with a 50% discount offered by their Customer Service)?  I have no idea what their reliability records  are like though..... 

[Ps532]

Thanks for the post my wife's just failed again I think this will be her fourth and if the pattern holds I ll have to replace mine in about 30 days. I would like to see if maybe they'll upgrade hers to the new versa 2 we'll see Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

[Fitlost234]

All your issues are correct!

It seems a shame ,that as much as  love the product the constant lack of quality control is ridiculous! Going on 3rd Versa the latest one stopped after a month😳. That makes no sense at all! It’s not your imagination,I’m moving on, I would  rather have one that I didn’t constantly have to replace.Something that does fail would be nice.

[BDCA]

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  You are not the only one. I’m on my second versa in less than a year. The first one was replaced, by Fitbit, because trouble shooting couldn’t fix the issue with it no longer tracking my hr. They issued a replacement, and I think that this one is refurbished one. after a couple of months, it started not tracking the hr, and now it’s not tracking steps. I say that has I am at the gym and ticked off. I have tried resetting and also shutting down. When this thing worked, it was great. I’m done. One person shouldn’t have  2 lemons. I know people that haven’t had issues with theirs, but I told them to be prepared if it stops. I have read far too many messages with people having the same issue. 
  
  

I don’t wear my watch in the water, and I don’t sleep with it  on. I expect more out of watch after spending $$ on it. 

I am waiting for the Apple Watch that I ordered on Black Friday, and it’s warranty. 

Look at the reflection of 0 steps and blank heart rate. I have been on the treadmill for over 20 minutes, and at the gym for 90 minutes. See the frustration?  This has been happening for over a month. 

Just my 2 cents 

[Dbrowne88]

Unfortunately it's not an uncommon issue with Fitbit products over the years - their fitness tracking and customer service has always been very good but it seems the devices themselves aren't the most durable, with the Versa appearing to be one of them.

I've had my Versa for 10 months and physically it has been fine, but in the last few weeks I've been having syncing issues to the point it won't communicate with my phone all of a sudden. I also had one of the first gen Charge devices and through the warranty, I went through 4 of them before switching to a £20 Xiaomi Mi band!

It seems to be luck of the draw when it comes to devices lasting, but hopefully if you get another replacement it'll last a bit longer.

[SionnachF]

I've been offered a 4th replacement in 17 months. I'm not going to take it. I don't want another lemon.

[msilyneDQ]

Wait! You got 50% coupon?! I JUST finished a chat with a  customer service rep that said 25% is the max they can offer. I requested for her to escalate my case. This will be my second replacement. I have been a loyal Fitbit customer since 2012 & although their customer service is great, the products (at least the Versa) needs to be more reliable. Im SO disappointed. Dissatisfied with the avail options provided to me.  

[BDCA]

I moved on from Fitbit Versa. Very unhappy with the product. 2 Versas and same problem.  Very aggravating.

I purchased the Apple Watch. I can’t remember the number. No problems to date. I’ve had this watch since December. Got a great deal on it. 

I workout everyday, and haven’t had any issues with reliability and all numbers seem accurate.

I highly recommend the Apple Watch  

[SionnachF]

I've finally had a resolution. I'm based in the EU, where we have good consumer protections. After getting nowhere repeatedly with the Online Chat, and after speaking to our consumer advocacy advice line,  I phoned the support number and spoke to someone who escalated it to a team who understood the local laws. They dealt with it quickly and I have now accepted a full refund on the Versa, and am buying an Apple watch instead. I think the online chat have limited ability to escalate issues.

[SunsetRunner]

I have the same issue. I just had an online chat and it was determined that my watch battery was defective and was offered a 25% coupon on a new product. That means it would cost me $150 to replace my watch, that is simply not worth it. I don't even want a 50% off coupon that I see some others have been offered. That is still not worth it. I would like the product repaired (and I would even pay a reasonable amount for that to happen), or I would like the watch to be replaced. My watch is 18 months old, but paying $150-$200 every 18 months (or less like some other commenters on this thread have noted) is just not what a reputable company like Fitbit should expect from their customers. I will be looking at another brand. I really liked the features on this watch, but they have lost my business.

[msilyneDQ]

I moved on to Apple Watch, thank you for the recommendation. I'm only logging on to this site to post the response I received from Fitbit. It's terrible how bad this company has become. I'm happy so far with my Apple Watch Series 5!

[msilyneDQ]

So glad you were able to get a refund! I'm only logging on to share the terrible response I received from Fitbit. I too have moved on to Apple Watch and so far I'm happy!

[msilyneDQ]

I'm so sorry you have the same issues. I'm only logging onto this site to share the response I received from Fitbit. I'm so frustrated and disappointed with Fitbit! I have moved on to an Apple Watch and I'm happy with it so far!

[CraftyArty]

I’m sorry so many other people have experienced problems with their Versas, but sort of comforted that it wasn’t just me! I hope Fitbit have taken note and been working really hard to fix these faults. I really think they should have been more honest and admitted they were having reliability issues. I know I may be jinxing things just by mentioning it, but SO FAR, my latest replacement Versa is still working. I had to accept a different metal finish on my replacement, but I just wanted one that worked in the end. Maybe this different metal casing is from a more reliable batch? Anyway, for now I’m happy but if this one fails, I think it might well be goodbye Fitbit hello Apple for me too!

Sent from my iPhone

[Sick]

I had a Fitbit versa that I bought then after just 2 months of use it would not raise to wake and then you would have to click the button then it would just crash and restart. Then upgraded under warranty to versa 2 and it died just 4 months later. I treated them fine but is just a poor quality product. I have had a Fitbit for 5 years and they have been fine up until the versa series. So this year I finally moved onto Garmin. Definitely a smart choice not to go with Fitbit!! Extremely happy with Garmin.