Heres my train of thought, not that it matters.
Anything that will go wrong will and as these simple devices become more complicated so does the failure rate or complete loss of use. Does a step really need to be motorized? you have multiple failure points and everything in these items will fail (Motor, relays, modules etc). What happens when they fail? Step is locked out or in so you either scrap it on everything or you can't use it. Replacement part cost is probably high as well and as long as its available. I think the retractable steps are cool and work but also believe in KISS.
Fixed steps are more reliable but then you have to worry about rust and things like that. All steps rust even the SS ones as they are usually just the outside shinny part and not the brackets or mounting points. I have yet to see a fully SS step brackets and all. I've had 3 versions of steps on all my vehicles but never powered due to costs and complexity. Black painted SS... eventually rusted, fabbed westin drop steps rusted, and now my factory mopar on my 2024 which are a HD plastic which is interesting. I didn't realize they were plastic which is nice bc it won't rust at least. Brackets are still steel but the actual step won't rust out which is all that you see. Fixed steps also provide impact resistance to things like carts and things getting flung up by the wheels etc. I went to look at a new limited a few weeks ago and the retractable step came out and almost took out my leg.
Anything painted or powercoated will fail over time as well. Aluminum still corrodes and looks just as bad as rust.
My vote would be fixed vs retractable as it has more positives than negatives.
but accurate. Only part you missed, fixed low enough to work for short people and those with mobility problems would be too low to drive around with. The single biggest benefit to motorized is they cut the step-in distance in half, while tucking up real tight when not in use..
