I'll provide a dissenting data point. After going through 5 RMA's with Vertex 2 drives, I finally convinced them to just upgrade me to a Vertex 3, due to reports of better reliability. The Vertex 3 failed within a week. Considered the drive a lost cause, swapped in a Crucial M4 -- been rock solid ever since.
I had a similar experience with the Vertex 2, and switched to Intel 320 and subsequently Samsung 840 Pro. Intel and Samsung drives have done a great job, while I had 3 Vertex 2 failures.