Has anyone else experienced multiple warranty repairs with their Ultrex? Specifically, foot pedal control boards and power switches?

After 8 years I haven't had any issues. Which Ultrex do you have?

@MontanaBasser

I recently had to replace my power switch and my steering sensor board on my 2021 Ultrex. The power switch would not shut off and, at times, the motor could not be turned to the left with the pedal. It did function with the remote, however. I bought the replacement sealed parts from TrollingMotorParts.com and did the work myself. The TrollingMotorParts website has good videos that explain how to remove the old and install the new parts. Everything functions as it should now.

There are known issues of water causing these unsealed parts to fail on older Ultrex models, but supposedly, they are corrected with sealed parts on models beyond 2020 or 2021. (I can't remember which.) My original steering sensor board was sealed and yet, it still failed, so I don't know what to tell you about that.

Not an Ultrex, but had issues with my Ulterra, purchased new in 2023. It would randomly lose spot lock, turn power back to "0", and display "motor not found" on the remote. Then would be fine.

Seemed to happen in colder temps...then this spring happening all the time. I paired the remote, the GPS Puck, reset everything, checked power cables, connections, fuses, etc. Still no resolution.

Called Minn Kota and walked through all I had done...they thought either a bad control board, or GPS board(?). Suggested I take to my local authorized dealer...after calling him and discovering the wait was 3+ weeks just to have a look and diagnose (ugh!), I decided to pull the cover and have a look for myself.

Everything looked okay. I pulled the power cables from the board, cleaned them, and applied a little dialectic grease. That seemed to solve my problem. Last three times fishing had zero issues(!).

Crossing my fingers this was the solution...a new control board was $350+.

12 hours ago, MontanaBasser said:

Has anyone else experienced multiple warranty repairs with their Ultrex? Specifically, foot pedal control boards and power switches?

I've read about these issues, but fortunately none of them when I had my Ultrex (2018 Model) from 2021-2024. I think the big key is where you store your boat too, I keep mine in my garage. The only issues I had were:

• Lost sonar from the built-in SI/DI and thought it was the crystals, but it wasn't and turned out to be a bad adapter cable to the ethernet box.

• Intermittent power from the momentary button, turned out that I just had to adjust the reed switch.

• No power to the prop at all, turned out that I burned out the brushes after 3 years of running it at full speed on an electric only lake. Easy fix to replace the armature.

I have not had any issues with my 2023 ultrex (ipilot link).

My only gripe That I’m dealing with is when I’m spot locked on big water and the ultrex has to make quick, major adjustments, sometimes the coiled wire gets caught on the thumbscrew. The ultrex senses the tension and then turns spot lock off. Kind of gets annoying knowing that I can’t fully rely on it.

5 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

After 8 years I haven't had any issues. Which Ultrex do you have?

It's a 2022 that I purchased new in 2024. It has never worked right and Johnson Outdoors has been jerking me around on the warranty. It seems like all the parts are back ordered and they want to replace one part at a time. I'm to the point where I'm just going to buy another motor, but after the experience I've had, I don't really trust Minn-Kota anymore. But, I don't think I have a choice. The whole boat is Minn-Kota/Humminbird from bow stern.

2 hours ago, senile1 said:

There are known issues of water causing these unsealed parts to fail on older Ultrex models, but supposedly, they are corrected with sealed parts on models beyond 2020 or 2021.

That That sounds exactly like what's going on with my unit. It's a 2022...

23 minutes ago, MontanaBasser said:

That That sounds exactly like what's going on with my unit. It's a 2022...

If you have the exact issues I had, the parts are shown below that will fix those issues. They cost a bit over $123 in March with no shipping cost. After watching the videos for installing this stuff it maybe took an hour and 15 minutes to complete. I know you would rather get it repaired under warranty but if you are anxious to be on the water without these issues this will probably do it.