"The first week I owned the unit, the transaxle overheated and would not run until it cooled down. The dealer came out and said that the weight of the oil was not correct. He took it back to the shop, changed the oil and it ran okay for the next few years until it did the same thing starting in the middle of the 2015 season. I know that sounds like I got good usage out of the unit, but I really think it should last longer without having to be replaced. Secondly, I have found it very difficult to lube the unit as a normal hand doesn't fit in the space that is allowed for the task. Considering these two things, mostly the transaxle, I will not buy a John Deere garden tractor again. "

"Purchased this new from a Deere dealer rather than Lowe's and paid a few bucks more, but the dealer was closer to my house and they set it up for me. This mower has done everything that I need it to do. I have had two problems with it. Within the first year I had an oil leak and starting problems. The dealer was backed up with repairs, so if I brought it in, it would be a minimum of two weeks. So I waited until the summer rush was over as it was operational and then had it repaired. The fixed the two problems under warranty and I have not had a problem since. I was going to buy a sears tractor, but when I told my father in law, he looked at me and said in a high pitched voice...."Your not going to buy a John Deere?" So I paid a few hundred bucks more and got a Deere. I had hoped that this mower would last me a lifetime as I plan to take it to Florida with me when I retire in a few years. But from what I am reading on this forum, I have a low end Deere that might not last. Only time will tell. "