Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Fender Musical Instruments Corp.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

close

Find a Location

Fender Musical Instruments Corp. has 2 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

BBB accredited

Near

Country

USUnited States

Please enter a valid location.

Filter

• 

  Fender Musical Instruments Corp.

  17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-7813

• 

  Fender Musical Instruments Corp.

  17600 N Perimeter Dr #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-7813

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/22/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased a Fender Prewired pickguard. The item performed at an unsatisfactory level. During testing it was discovered that the pickguard pickups were performing below the advertised specifications. Advertised specifications for pickups, Neck 5.94k, middle 6.27k, bridge 6.56k. Pickups tested, neck 5.4k, middle 5.6k, bridge 5.7k. The advertised specifications do not indicate a + or - and do not specify a percentage of error. How ever based on knowledge it is a known fact that there is a variable. How much is questionable. I contacted the distributor who informed me I was outside the return window but Fender would take care of me. I contacted Fender who informed me that this tolerance was acceptable. This manufacturing tolerance is below the industry standard and to make it worse it is not indicated when advertising their products.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/28/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 12/13/2024 I inquired for a *** (Certificate Of Authentication) for a guitar that was purchased from one of their affiliates, ************** The guitar purchased was used online and when received did not come with one. That is a whole other story. It was purchased as a gift for me by a person who knows nothing about musical instruments. By the time I was gifted the guitar the return window had run out. So I contacted Fender and they said it would be replaced. On 02/13/2024 they contacted me and said there was a mix up and the *** will be mailed in the next 30 days. Nothing. It has been over seventy days and still nothing. I email them every week and now am getting no responses. Twice they offered to send me $25 in merchandise for the delay. $50 in total. I received a $14 beanie but nothing else. This is beside the point. I just want the *** they said they would replace. All the necessary information about the guitar is in their possession and I was cleared yet they will not send it. I am tired of this lack of customer support. These are expensive ********************** and I want the ***. I will also file a complaint against ************* for their terrible customer service. I have all the emails necessary to prove my case.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/02/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Placed an order with PreSonus on 3/28/25 at 2:44PM for their Revelator io44. On the website the item at the time said it was FREE but they were only charging shipping. I placed the order, received confirmation that it processed. At 10:38PM I received an email saying that my order was cancelled due to a processing issue and if I still wanted the item, that I could place the order again. When I went back to the website it showed the cost for $79.99 and now it showing an even higher price. I replied letting them know that I did want it, but that they should honor the FREE item price. They said that they were not running a sale and that their website glitched and that is why it was showing it as FREE. The shipping was already charged to my account (not showing as pending) and when I pressed on the issue they refused to honor the price. Even if it was a glitch, they can't just back out of it because of their error. That was what was shown and they have to honor that price.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/05/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased brand new charvel pro mod so *** electric guitar(serial# MC ******* from guitar center in dec 2024.From day one this guitar was unplayable and had some other issues.I contacted guitar center about a exchange or a return but was denied.They said contact fender warranty ***** I filled a claim with fender and ***** ****** from fender responded with a list of authorized service providers.I contacted three service providers within 100 miles of ******** ****** never responded and the other two refused to service my guitar.I emailed ***** ****** again to let him know but he never responded.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/29/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 9/13/24, I ordered American Ultra Telecaster guitar.Prior to the order, I contacted ************************** asking if they send brand new models. Specifically, I did not want used, open box, and/or returned model. The *** ensured me that Fender sends only brand-new models. On 9/23/24, I received the American Ultra Telecaster guitar. It appeared to me that the guitar was used and/or open box. In few days time I discovered that the guitar has blemished neck on fret 5 and 17. Also the guitar has infinite amount of micro scratches on the body. The whole fretboard on the neck has very poorly finished, as evidenced by marks left by the tools through the whole neck.I expect return label and full refund of $1900.05.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/30/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Fender musical instruments initially refused to have my instrument serviced under my warranty. I purchased one of their most expensive guitars that, unfortunately, has a known defect the ***************** nut is easily stripped, even if the correct 1/8 inch ***** key is used for the adjustment.Initially, Fender said theyd cover it despite only being a month out of warranty. After multiple emails back and forth for a week, it became clear they had changed their mind, and decided not to cover it, despite consumer relations acknowledging this was an issue with their guitar.It was only after emailing the **** *********************, with a strongly worded email, that they finally decided to cover the repair.However, there was a catch. The only *authorized technician (whatever that means) in my very large, international city was located in a tiny repair shop with multiple cats. I explained I could not attend this shop because I have asthma and am deathly allergic to cats. I then asked them if they could accommodate me by having my guitar repaired by an authorized fender dealer, rather than the arbitrary selection of an authorized technician which clearly has no real practical significance to repairing the instrument. They told me my only other option was a shop an hour away from where I live.This should have been a simple process but theyve made it as difficult as they possibly can. I will think twice before buying a fender instrument again.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/20/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased an ******************** Signature guitar from Fender through *************** on 8/19/2022 with a full Credit Card payment of *******. The guitar was finally shipped on 3/16 and arrived on 3/22/22. Immediately out of the box I plugged it in and noticed the upper frets were buzzing and not playing like a factory guitar should. I was able to take it to ***** at Music and Arts, ******* who told me the frets were "scalloped" and he attempted to "shave them down. The guitar played a little better but within ********************************************* my opinion a "lemon". It comes with 2 yr warranty, I contacted Fender customer relations and they said to take it to a service center. I told them I had already, they wanted me to take to another opinion. There are no service centers within 3-4 hours of me any longer. I have full receipts, ***** shipping details, from reverb through ***************, and emails verifying my complaints with fender and their attempts to help. DESIRED RESOLUTION: I would just like a replacement EVH ******** USA Signature or full refund, choice of fender to make myself whole.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/23/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I ordered a brand new Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 acoustic guitar (S/N: IS211202661) from Street Sounds in *** on August 31, 2022, and it was delivered to my ******** address on September 13. The guitar neck has become warped in recent months. I drove an hour to a Gretsch-authorized service center - ********* in **********, *******. I was told by *** the technician that the guitar is beyond repair and I should return it to where I bought it for a refund. I emailed Street Sounds and their owner ************************* offered absolutely no help. I then emailed Fender on May 20, 2023.The Consumer Relations Manager - ********************* replied to my email and told me that the service center in ********** should have opened a warranty claim for me instead of referring me back to the dealer. I then provided the service center with my original receipt on May 23. I've been following up with the service center for over a month and all I heard from them was "Still waiting for a response".I emailed Fender again on July 6 and received a response from *********************** on July 12 claiming that they have never received my receipt. I sent them the receipt again and was told that the service center would contact me within 2 business days. I received a call from ********** on July 21 and was told that they had a replacement guitar ready for me to pick up. I arranged a time and drove there to pick it up on August 1. I drove an hour to only find out that Fender had sent the guitar to ********** in *********, ********* instead of ********* in **********, *******. I emailed *********************** again and spoke to him on the phone on August 10. Apparently, he was so confused and thought that ********* shipped my guitar to the States. He told me that he would sort it out and ship the replacement guitar to my address but I never heard from him since.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/23/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Purchased a bass guitar directly through Fender's web site. I was having difficulty obtaining an offer "code" worth 10% Off that was in a pop-up message on their web site after entering my email address that they requested. While searching for the code, I called a phone number that I got off of their web site to get some assistance: **************. After the call connected and I went through some recorded voice prompts, I was put on hold and ***** played while I waited for a "live person".The "Elapsed Time" on my phone's digital display eventually went past 55 minutes; it was getting close to one hour, I then heard a "click" on the phone, and the call was disconnected. An hour of waiting and no live person.I was finally able to find the "code" (which I though would have been sent to my email address since it asked for it and I entered it), but no, it showed up eventually on the site. I completed the purchase. But then I wrote them an email using a "form" on their site. I told them of my experience so far, and then asked three questions, the two pertinent ones being: 1.) Why was I on-hold for an hour on the phone with no live person ever coming on the line and the call was disconnected?; 2.) When the bass guitar arrives, God forbid if something were wrong with it, what would be the quickest, most efficient way to get into contact with them?Part of the reply I received: "We receive between 500 and **** calls per day from all over the world for issues ranging from first time buyers, to good ol' boys who want to discuss at great length, a strat they bought back in '64 and need to replace - and everyone in-between". That's all well and good, but that does not answer the two questions I posed.The bass guitar I ordered arrived, I had questions about features on it, no manual to describe set-up or features, so I contacted them at ********************************************* no reply. I want to return the bass for refund, wrote to ******************************************* no reply.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/12/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was charged $76.84 for an annual Fender Play subscription that I have not used. I canceled it on December 12, 2022 when I learned of the charge. A message appeared that the subscription would end on 12/12/2023. I do not want the subscription and want $76.84 refunded back to my credit card.