Drew, a complete controller failure on first use, combined with long repair delays, clearly points to a hardware defect rather than normal operation. The controller is central to ignition, temperature control, and safety, so failure there will prevent proper use. Stability issues in moderate wind can also indicate setup or balance concerns that Traeger should review. We recommend contacting Traeger Customer Support at 1-800-TRAEGER so we can assess warranty coverage, structural damage, and discuss repair or replacement options to resolve this properly.