...planned obsolescence has been around for a while. Actually, obsolescence is a misnomer in this context. Think "functional demise".
I once had to repair an under-dash HVAC bellcrank made of plastic that broke (this was the for the door that opens/closes the duct for outside air. Naturally, this happened on a road trip from California up to Canada in December... ironically, at the same time, the thermostat failed wide open, so there was very little cabin heating available whatsoever...brrrr!, but that was an easy enough repair to make en-route).
Most likely, the replacement bellcrank was unobtainium, other than getting the complete HVAC assembly, but being under the dash, would have been an 8 hour job to re- and re-, at any rate. Fortunately, there was just enough space to get at it through the glovebox, and I was able to mend it with epoxy and multiple windings of strong thread. The repair held for the remaining duration I owned the car, which was about 20 years. The original part had lasted only 6 years since the car was manufactured.