Radar will replace the original plate with the newer thicker plate for FREE, Just call them. I still have yet to see any bending in my original plate, so my replacement is just collecting dust. The ones I have seen bent were all size 9 or smaller. That may have a little to do with it because the heal is so far away from the rear mounting screws, but the 2 that I have seen with bending were also mounted incorrectly. Since I worked on them, they haven't had any more issues.   Also haven't seen any insert issues, just the occasional pull tie breakage. Mine have held up fantastic. I have had no complaints at all. The hole package is showing no signs of wear at all. I was fortunate enough to test the release again last week in a slow OTF at -32 and rolled right out as advertised.  Maybe a bad batch, maybe general equipment care, maybe mounted incorrectly, or all three combined.  My $0.02 Doug