Unreliable Windward III Fans

ComplaintsAppliancesHome Depot Hampton Bay Fans

Complaint

+1
Jack
Country: United States
Purchased 7 Windward III Fans and 5 of them can not run on high speeds.  Was told needed capacitor after replacing receiver and capacitor was back ordered.  For months capacitor was unavailable until the warranty on my fans expired.  I was then told I had to pay for the capacitors.  I have decided to change all of the fans in my house and replace them with a higher quality more reliable fan.  I do not recommend buying Hampton Bay fans - a waste of money.

Comments

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  • 0
    J Parker
    | 1 reply
    Same with me, bought four gossamer  windward III, in 2010, and now only one works well.....so far. I will look for Hunter for my next purchase.
    • +1
      Vinny replies to J Parker
      Buy anything but Hampton Bay because ALL of their crappy products are 'Made in China' and should not be on the market in my opinion. As for Home Depot, they are equally to blame because they refuse to back up the products they sell until the warranty runs out, then they will 'sell' you more Chinese s**t that is juts as bad as before. I have Chinese fans that are essentially ornaments on a high ceiling.  I also have 35 year old Panasonic fans that still run like new. In other words, Chinese stuff BAD, Japanese stuff GOOD. When will the US start making the 'GOOD STUFF' again ?  I buy old antique American stuff that still works after 50 or 60 years yet the Chinese garbage will last MAYBE 6 months.
  • 0
    W cotto
    Same problem bought a hamptonbay  winward in 2012, after one year And two months the light start blinking, apparently is the ballast, not sold in store. The customer service indicates is not availables at this time. I was gave the address of an online store and the shipping only was 26.00. The UPC and the model info they are giving me is not the same model that the piece that I have. I will not buy another Hampton bay fan,  a waist of time and money.
  • 0
    J Loughry
    have a windward III fan - the receiver went in 5/09 and 12/11. also replaced the lower glass. total cost $121.00. Now the receiver is out again along with the lower flour light cost about another $60 so if i replace the parts i will have $181.00 in a $160.. fan -sounds like a money machine for Home Depot
  • 0
    PatB48
    Anyone know how to reverse blade direction in a Windward III fan ???
  • 0
    Not a Hampton fan
    Lucky?! My two Windward IIs worked perfectly, all speeds and lights for 6 yrs. Now one needs new capacitor at $63; if still problems, scrap and go with Hunter.
  • 0
    Mad at Fan
    I have the Windward II and my fan does not operate either.  I will be purchasing my next fan from a specialty lighting place.  Their fans are much better quality.
  • 0
    Kevin B
    Thanks for these comments ... my Windward II stopped working and I was told by Hampton Bay's repair partner that a new receiver would cost $48 ... but I've learned here that I may have to buy another later on because the receiver's will continue to fail ... I'm just going to buy a more reliable product instead, if there is such a thing ...
  • 0
    The1moe
    Bought 5 windward III fans.... After three years started crapping out.... Now another three years and all 5 are acting up.... Hampton Bay is worthless in the customer care department.... Stay away from Hampton bay!!!
  • 0
    CalHumrich
    | 1 reply
    I bought one of these years ago from Home Depot and loved it. I wanted 4 more but, apparently, Home Depot stopped carrying them so I had to go directly to King of Fans. A few of them stopped working on high and I had to replace the receiver unit a few times over the years (sometimes under warranty). Problem is, there is no other fan on the market that has as much light and is as good looking. I'm resigned to the bad electronics and am getting another one for the kitchen. If anyone knows of a substitute I'd be eager to try but as I like the lumens it produces.
    • 0
      Ann replies to CalHumrich
      can you tell me which receiver you purchased?  The king of fans can't look it up by the numbers on the receiver, only by the tags on the fan, which are no longer there.
  • 0
    L Santana
    I have a windward 111 fan -I replace the remote control cost $42.00. I also replace the receiver is out . I call The Kings of fan.They toll me to replace the capacitor cost me $30.00. Never buy a windward 111 at Home Depot waist of time and money.
  • 0
    Salim
    I also bought two windward 3 fans and one stopped working and both remotes are made with cheap plastic and keeps on cracking, don't recommend buying this. Bad electronics and cheap plastic.
  • 0
    Cynthia
    I have the Windward III fan and it worked great for 6 years.  Decided to move it to my office and noticed the lights shut off after about 20 mins (almost as if they were on a timer).  Does anyone know what could be causing this?
  • 0
    Dave
    | 1 reply
    After 5 years, replaced receiver.  Now, after 10 years, remote transmitter has different display.  Home Depot suggests universal remote system but don't know which one.  Called customer service, they didn't know and suggested getting into on line.  Universal system suggested there but no specifics.  Anybody know a specific fix?
    • 0
      Ann replies to Dave
      Hi Dave, I have the III and need a receiver, but unless you have some stickers that were (at one time on the fan) they can't even tell you what remote to use.  I bought a windward IV and put the receiver from that into my III and it will work the down light and the temperature, but not the reverse,  so I am at a loss also.  Let me know if you get some response.  Thanks
  • 0
    Rusty
    I have 3 of the Windward III Gossamer Series fans that were all purchased at the same time at least 10 years ago. I have no problems with the receivers except the fans will randomly reverse, change from automatic to manual, and lights come on or off. Two of the fans are a major pain to reverse. All of the fans have problems with both the upper and lower lights, all components have been discontinued and appear to not be available anywhere. The support rep for the manufacturer was clearly appalled at me seeking new bulbs and in response to me suggesting they should have parts available, stated the fans were over 10-years old. He clearly wanted me to forget about light bulbs and buy new ceiling fans. I have cured my light problems by removing the ballasts and installing LEDs. This required creating a way to mount them and correctly wiring them. It also gave me control of the color temperature which was important to me. Floor assistants in 3 different Home Depot's and the manufacturer's support person said it could not be done. The Home Depot website support lady was super and connected me to the manufacturer support person because she could not help me further.
  • 0
    E Harter
    Same problem as all the rest. Bought two Windward III fans, one lost high speed after 7 months. Have to buy parts and repair. Cheap/poor fan quality. Will not buy Hampton Bay again!!
  • 0
    Steven
    My windward 3 remote died and use another remote from Hampton bay. The problem ,the bottom light doesn't go on the top light and fan are running fine. Need receiver with 4 wires to to get bottom light on. I have returned other Hampton bay fans to Home Depot and brought a photo copy receipt and was. Fully refunded . The original receipt fads over time.
  • 0
    Cher
    I purchased a Hampton Bay Winward IV -- the most expensive ceiling fan I'd ever chosen since it looked cool and had nice functions.Costs added up when had to hire an electrician to get it into my mid-century home where wiring was not cooperating. I didn't live in the house and the fan was very rarely used. A couple years later it quit completely and I put it on the get it looked at someday list. Apparently the transmitter died (maybe the remote too but we'll never know since it can't work with the new receiver). Can't believe the limited use for the total cost between the item and electricians. I purchased a hampton bay universal wall switch to make it work rather than buy new, but it does not have the automatic thermostat type setting which was one of the main reasons I bought it. This will be my last Hampton Bay ceiling fan purchase.. and probably stay away from anything with Hampton Bay on it. Five year motor warranty is useless when you can't turn said motor. No alternate pull switches ... just broken remote control. Meanwhile my cheapo Hunter fan carries on, along with some crappy looking  fans that came with my house. Looks aren't everything, I guess.
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