No, have had them and running fine for a few months.

I have not been able to install any new firmware. Won't take. Tried everything. I can get in there, even got Awesomeminer to say one of them was able to change the pool, but when I go back to the machine, it's still in the same condition, with that Kernel version.

Is a new controller board the only option?

Bitmain suggested that if none of the reset options work, to create a repair ticket for a new board.