Hamilton Beach 40886 Cordless Electric Kettle

This lovely Hot Water Kettle is stainless steel, very nice looking and easy to clean, can handle 1.7 liters/quart of water and heats it quite quickly (1500 watts).  It is housed on a 360 degree cordless base and is simple to operate and use.   I particularly favored the little removable screen mesh filter located in the spout to keep it free from lime deposits or other incidental debris.  It features a see through/clear plastic water window with volume indicator.  It heats quite quickly and features an automatic shut off and although the stainless portion of the body heats up, the handle and knob on the lid are made of a stay-cool material.
I have truly enjoyed this kettle for the occasional cup of hot chocolate, maybe an instant soup or even instant coffee, oh approximately two to three times a week for the last nearly eight months, with the exception of its last use.  I plugged it in, filled the kettle with cool water and depressed the tab which engaged the heating unit but on return, found the water boiled and the tab broken and just “hanging off” the kettle.  Wonder if the heat from the unit and multiple uses caused this?  I did some research and found 5 out of 6 comments regarding this product were of the same concern (on the internet, various sites).  After looking on some web based sales sites, I found this very product with the same problem, but if you look up the same model on Hamilton Beach’s web site, you’ll find the tab on the kettle appears different.  Perhaps the many complaints have caused a change in material? I found the kettle with the new tab (different material, softer plastic, black) whereas the the easier to break hard plastic red tab is only on re-sale sites, etc.
I have emailed Hamilton Beach in hopes of getting a replacement or replacement part but haven’t heard a word as of today.  Wish I had kept the receipt, carton and packing materials so I could return it to the store as it would still be under warranty, however, I didn't since the product appeared to be working well until the last cup.... In conclusion, I love the fast, hot, boiling water without turning on the gas stove, but at nearly 45 dollars and minimal use for less than 8 months …that’s an expensive cup of anything!