Another one for the list, in case Sony are monitoring.

I bought a KDL40D3500 from my sister when she won it in a charity auction. The TV is about 4 years from manufacture and 3 years from first use.

About 3 months ago the screen started to fail with dark banding, long fade times, etc, etc, which reduce but do not disappear when the system warms up.

I was in touch with the Sony customer support team in the UK but the upshot is that they refuse to accept responsibility for a failure. Unfortunately as the TV was won in a charity auction, not sold per se, it is not covered by the UK's 'sale of goods act'. Normally when goods fail when outside the 1 year warranty I throw this legislation at the supplier and get a replacement item as it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that goods show a reasonable 'durability'. TVs are expected to last around 7 years. As the TV was donated I am not prepared to try to hound the donor for funding a replacement as they had the generosity to donate it in the first place. It is a real shame that Sony do not show a level of responsibility to match that of the donor. Shame on Sony.

I will have to replace the TV and will do so with a different supplier. Shame for Sony that they have lost a previously loyal customer.

Hi Everyone. If you look at my post from November 16, 2011, I posted my pics there of my Sony tv that was ready to be thrown away. After extensive reseach, however, I managed to order a part of the tv that I thought it was broken. Unscrewed the back of the tv and slowly worked to the electronic board part that I had to replace. After about 2 hours and about 60 pounds spent to order the part, my tv was working just fine.

The money was well spent as the repair shop was going to charge me about 70 pounds just to take the tv to their shop and assess it. Then maybe like 700 - 1000 pounds to replace the panel, as they told me on the phone. But there was nothing wrong with the panel. So before you throw your tv away, look online for people with a similar problem and see if they managed to fix it like me. Order the part of find someone or some shop that sells the same model as you have for spare parts, order the electronic tv board that you need that might be causing it, and try to fix it. Worth the try, as I managed to fix mine.

Few months ago, I started to have greenish tone appearing in the left bottom corner. Almost  rectangle in shape. Thought some other board might have been the cause, so I managed to order another, different board i thought might be causing this, but the new board didn't work. So I thought I will put my old one in and live with the greenish tone for a few months until I have money to buy some new tv and guess what. The tv works again. I am guessing it was probably some connection or even the dust that has been collecting inside the telly, which I managed to clean off while I was changing the boards.

So sometimes, there is a quick, and cheap fix with our troubled Sony tvs. But I guess some other customers might have to pay a lot of money to get their tv fixed, as Sony customer service is very bad.

As many people on here I have been buying Sony products for a long time and believed Sony has the best products out there, but not anymore. So for anyone, who even considers buying anything from Sony, specially TV, please don't. You will save yourself a lot of hours on the phone with Sony customer service and save a lot of money.

Hi All,

Have just spoken to Sony Customer Services on 0844 8466 555 after KDL-40W4500 (purchased December 2008) developed known panel fault (ghosting, horizontal lines). Clears up after 15 minutes use but left with visible vertical line 1/4 way down screen. Was pleasantly surprised when advisor stated this is known fault and technician will contact you in 2 business days to take TV away for repair. All work carried out will be free of charge.

My faith in Sony has been restored.

I hope anyone else with this issue gets sorted out as quickly and hassle free as I have.

Rob

New panel fitted 27th November and TV is now as good as new. Actually alot better because the backlight bleed on the old panel was horrendous. All in all this has been a swift and hassle free fix and all done FOC when TV was 3 years out of warranty ( I only opted for the standard 1 year manufacturers guarantee).

My only concern now is that this panel might go the same way as the old one in about 4 years (or less)...guess I better get saving for a new one

Hi Lee,

I have the same problems with my KDL-52X3500 ... if you tap the side of the screen, the problem temporarily goes away. I have contacted Sony Customer services who deny it is a manufacturing fault.

The TV ( which I paid approx £3500 for) is approx 3-4 years old, I do not think I have the original proof of purchase ( the shop may still have records) and do not have an extended warranty. I have contacted the local service centre and am waiting to hear back... what should I do. I would like to avoid any costs if at all possible, as from looking at the numerous forums and posts, this is a common problem that I would expect to be covered as a gesture of goodwill. I have been been buying sony products for the last 30 years and have been a loyal supporter of what I was always led to believe was the best home electrical brand. I have spent upwards of £50,000 over the years on Sony products and have been mostly extremely happy.

Please advise?

worked ok till it was 2 years 11 months since it was manufactured in May 2010.....AND THEN.....

Bad points:

SUPPOSEDLY ONE OF SONY'S FLAGSHIPS ...SUPER BRAVIA KDL-40EX403 SERIAL NUMBER 9025638 DECIDED TO STOP SOUND AND PICTURE... PAID £25 TO A LOCAL TV ENGINEER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE LCD SCREEN HAD HAD IT'S DAY AND TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR!!!.....WHY??????...AFTER LESS THAN 3 YEARS FROM MANUFACTURE.....05/2010....!!!!!!????

TILL NOW I RELIED ON SONY...BOUGHT TVs, VIDEO RECORDER, 2 CAMCORDERS, DVD PLAYER ...STILL GOT MY SONY BETA RECORDER WORKING...

WOULD LOVE SONY TO COMMENT WHY THIS SET ONLY WORKED FOR A VERY FEW MONTHS!!!.