John Deere 160

1986–198812 HPgasolinelawn
B
Average
Score: 58.8/100
Recalls
322
Found
Known Issues
21
5 high severity
Auction Records
0
No price data
Reliability
B
59/100

Specifications

Engine Power12 HP
Engine (kW)9 kW
Fuel Typegasoline
Transmissionbelt-driven gear
Categorylawn
Production Years1986–1988

Safety Recalls

322 found
Safety recall — John Deere JD-8R370 (Japanese market, reference 1241810)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the lighting. Declared production window: 2021–2022.

LightingJP
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
Safety recall — John Deere JD-7R310 (Japanese market, reference 1241260)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the electronic control. Declared production window: 2020–2024.

Electronic controlJP
+317 more recalls
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Known Issues

21 reported
5 high9 low7 medium
Transmission dies at clutch extremes and in higher gears
high

While running, engine dies if clutch is too low or too high. Cannot put machine beyond 2nd gear without engine stalling. Very narrow operating range for clutch engagement.

transmission
Transmission clutch sensitivity and gear limitations
high

While running, clutch engagement is extremely narrow - only functional halfway between low and high positions. Engine dies if clutched too low or too high. Cannot shift beyond 2nd gear without issues. Indicates clutch or transmission control problem.

transmission
Blade/deck clutch won't engage
high

Blades and deck will not start. This is reported as a recent problem, suggesting possible clutch engagement failure or electrical issue with the PTO system.

pto
CA: John Deere Review by Stephanie from Sumner, IA (1/5 stars) We bought
low

We bought a brand new expensive Z425 EZTRAK 54-inch new mower from John Deere and after 107 hours of mowing a tiny flat lawn, the connecting rod and crank shaft broke and there is a hole in the side of the engine. I am very disappointed in the John Deere product and even more disappointed in the almost $1600 bill to repair the mower. This will definitely be our last John Deere mower. Imagine a car

engine
CA: John Deere Review by Chris from Basehor, KS (2/5 stars) We purchase a
medium

We purchase a couple of different D series John Deere's and had to return them for either being not properly put together or not cutting properly. We settled on the D160 and it was adequate for about a year then it started to have steering issues (but the wheels were bent), a hard time starting sometimes, and it never seem to have any power to get up hills. After doing research I found that the D-

engine
+16 more issues
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Market Value

No auction data available for this model.

Hours Benchmark

Class: Compact (040 HP)
Low use150 /year
Typical300 /year
High use500 /year
Typical lifetime6,000 hours
Expected life15 years

Have a specific John Deere 160 VIN to check?

Model data shows the average — a VIN/PIN lookup pulls the per-unit history (theft, recalls, prior owners, hours).

Found on the chassis plate or registration papers

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Get the complete breakdown: pre-buy checklist, component reliability,322 recalls, 21 known issues, comparable sales, and theft risk analysis.

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