Not being an expert on chrome lining (or anything else for that matter

) I would suspect that most problems come from insufficient or inadequate prep and/or finish work, i.e. getting the site ready for the application of the chrome and properly "smoothing" things out afterward. However, from my own experience and word of mouth I do not believe that problems with hard chrome lining are anything near "widespread". In fact, I'd venture to say that it is a rarity.
Nitro-carburizing may be hard chrome's replacement. Time will tell.....