Ditto, my Rowenta was about 3 years old when one day it got real hot with steam pouring out like crazy, heard a pop! and it doesn't go on any more. After it cooled down I through it in the trash. It had already been leaking a lot so I wasn't really happy for what I had paid for it. Then, a similar thing happened to the twin to it that I bought my Mom.
I'm still using a Rowenta Iron I bought at a silent auction at work for $1. Had to clean the sole plate but it has worked great for me for a couple of years now. But with the experience my Mom and I both had, I will never get another Rowenta. Too expensive for the quality and safety issues.