Ive heard of it, but never had it happen until today.

Installed a motor in a truck that did not have an o2 code pre install.

after install got a driver side upstream code. Replaced with a new Bosch sensor. Same thing.

was sure I damaged the harness connector on install so I dropped the exhaust and spliced in a new harness connector, same result.

out of desperation swapped in another new sensor, Eureka!

 

I think O2 sensor technology hasn't trickled down to the affordable brands yet. I installed a new Y pipe in my 94 Jaguar and couldn't get the old O2 sensor out of it. Its not a particularly valuable car so I got a cheap one to get it going. That one lasted 11-1/2 months and less than 2500 miles, I got it warranteed and the next one -same brand- lasted 3 months and 300 miles. No comment on the current one yet.

 

I too have had some baffling experiences with the O2 sensors. Some don't work when new out of the box. There was one late last year that wasn't working so I set it aside and then, just for the heck of it, I bench tested it a few days later and it worked fine. I put it back in the truck and it's still going strong. I haven't had a lot of other cars but I've never had to replace an O2 in anything but the Rover, and I've done it so many times in the Rover, between replacing and swapping to test, I'm sure I could now do it blindfolded.