This is symptomatic of the legal and regulatory environment that has stifled development in light aviation. The technology is ancient. Magnetos - FFS its 2009!! I cant remember the last car I had with points let alone a magneto. Sure they work but can anyone seriously say that magnetos are the ignition system of choice now?
I have had 2 magnetos fail in flight so why we are still forced to use them is beyond me.
The kickback problem would not occur with a modern ignition system.
Even if the magnetos are retained it should be a $50 fix.
While the bloated and idiotic regulatory system heaps ludicrous costs on anyone hoping to fix a problem like this, let alone update the system, it ain't likely it's going to get fixed anytime soon.
The only hope, as has been said before, is to keep complaining to the manufacturer.