This is the first time in almost a year hearing about "loads of these in". Perhaps it was a bad batch at the time that came to your area (and a few others)? I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a widespread problem until we see more people chiming in about the same thing.

I do read a lot about software updates fixing this and that... that worries me a bit too as something so easily applied/changed can cause someone to have a very bad day.