After having a HF spring compressor fail on me I can empathize with those who are concerned with their quality control. But winch failures are relatively rare, and cables can break on ANY brand winch.

If you're that concerned about it buy another brand cable and install it on a HF winch. Still cheaper than a Warn!

 

I have a HF 12,000 winch for a 14,000lb trailer to winch on farm tractors, it never failed yet in two years. I paid $279 for it. Would get another one if it failed.