This is false. They're not supposed to leak. "Replenish gas reserves" is not a regularly scheduled maintenance item. In fact it's illegal for a technician to add refrigerant more than once without identifying and repairing the source of the leak. Unless you did something stupid like tried to install a split system yourself.
If your unit leaks refrigerant it needs to be repaired. This is not normal.
ICE cars aren't supposed to explode nor are EVs supposed to burst into flames via inextinguishable battery fires.
But sometimes they do.
We don't use this outlier data to refer to them as conflagrations-on-wheels and assert it's a normal function of the device just to strengthen our biased case.
Sure but battery fires are still a problem that needs to be fixed and not ignored. Also, even though it doesn’t happen often, when it does the results can be catastrophic. So it is a reasonable concern.
What? I’ve never heard of a system that (with proper installation etc.) needs to be replenished anything like that often! Where are these brands you’re talking about from?!
Car air conditioners maybe, but it seems unbelievable for fixed systems of any reasonable quality…
If your unit leaks refrigerant it needs to be repaired. This is not normal.