The author goes on to state that the problems are with their cables, which for many Apple users is well known. The plastic coating they used that was engineered to be be more supple and "bendable" than other cables was prone to deterioration and breaking down, causing fraying and exposed wires. Apple has since moved on to braided cables since then.
The actual bricks themselves have been pretty reliable.
I have several well-functioning 1st-party chargers with perfectly intact cables, and sometimes it won't charge. Or it will, but the light doesn't turn on for some reason. Fixes itself when I replug it. Been this way since '06.
The actual bricks themselves have been pretty reliable.