Most 4cyl cars have gone back to chains but many V6 engines still have belts.
As warrantee's get longer the manufacturers will go back to chains as the don't want to be paying for belt replacements under warrantee.
It was all a ploy to get people to return for service and a big repair bill.
We did many timing belt replacements at my shop over the years. The earlier ones had very thin belts that wouldn't last 100K but the newer belts are much thicker and will last beyond the manufacturers recommended time change. The belt runs the water pump, that usually goes first and takes out the belt.
Belts are rubber and the biggest contributor to belt deterioration is time.
Over time they dry out and crack.
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