Keeping this information from the public, even if people freak out, is dangerous. It would be like car companies not telling you about a recall on your vehicle.

Keeping this information from the public, even if people freak out, is dangerous. It would be like car companies not telling you about a recall on your vehicle. The main reason they don't want it public is economic/competitive impacts to the companies that lobby to block it. The medical industry does deal with these cases and let people know when they have the issue. However, if you keep information from everyone, it doesn't always get to the people it affects. Being more transparent could also lead to better product development iteration on medical devices if feedback is more available. Hiding information on problems suppresses solutions. Suppression of information can be catastrophic, ask the FAA.