It is possible for both survivorship bias to exist and also for products to deteriorate in quality. The author is able to point to the reasons for failures rates being higher.

Some goods are better and cheaper such as electric hand tools. With white goods it is hard to get something that will last > 15 years. I'd be willing to pay twice or thrice the average price, but I don't see anything available^. I'm just hoping those new fridge linear compressors are going to do the job.

^ If wrong, do tell!