The article indicates the cracks are forming at the PCIe connector and suggests it's due to GPU sag. The issue was predominantly seen in pre-built PC's, but was also happening to separately bought cards. It's unclear if the pre-built desktops were from Gigabyte or some other vendor. Regardless, not only did Gigabyte refuse to RMA them, they charged the customer return shipping and stuck a sticker with an arrow pointing to the crack on the GPU.
Absolutely infuriating. Depending on the scope, I see either a class-action lawsuit or Gigabyte changing their stance and start to cover these under RMA. Gigabyte would also likely be violating European and Australian consumer protection laws here.
In the US, they're also likely violating some laws but the laws in the US rarely have teeth. In the USA, Gigabyte might as well mail the broken GPU back to the user along with a dildo and a note that says, "Go fuck yourself. You have zero recourse."
Regardless of Gigabyte being total douche bags about this, a take-away here (aside from not buying Gigabyte stuff anymore) is this:
If you're not supporting your GPU then you're wrong. Either your PCIe connector will eventually rip off your mobo, or the GPU's connector will crack, or both.