Wow. That's a huge indicator of sloppy manufacturing process. Where was QA? I thought we tried to learn from Toyota? Traceability from functional requirements through design and on to production is pretty important. Inability to uniquely identify your components breaks the entire chain.
Keeping the part number is perfectly normal, so long as there is a REVISION change, and QA signed off on disposition of the earlier revision (use up existing, cease and scrap out, etc.).
Stating the part number is unchanged is uneducated journalist fear-mongering in its’ insinuation.
Not enough facts here.
(retired Military-Industrial Complex mechanical engineer)
I wouldn't assume, just because the switch has the same part number, that the evolutionary (internal to the switch) changes aren't traceable.
It;s a wonder nobody has sued for a car that can;t run out of gasoline. Same ultimate failure mode as far as vehicle control goes. Engine quits, Armstrong Steering becomes effective, etc. I can picture a designer's judgment that the unintended shutdown is a manageable event.