First Rowenta I owned broke at 2 years old. Second one (no auto shutoff) still going strong. Third Rowenta (I bought for $10 at a rummage sale! WOOHOO!) Going Strong! (2 irons I purchased at a resale shop were scary - one got hot and leaked horribly - I think it's gasket was bad - the other would not steam at all - so those are in the 'to sell' pile labeled as Dry Irons Only)
I've read that if the iron isn't hot enough it'll spit water.