No it is not really a disign flaw and yes it can happen to any make of car/pipes. I was only making a very slight joke. The break came where the two spreaders that are attatched to the pipe come together. It was the right pipe that broke. If it happens again I will, as Bill mentioned, put a reinforcement strap across the area. I decided not to attempt to fix it on the car because I figured an extra 15 minutes of work to R&R the pipe was easier/cheaper than fixing the paint when I screwed it up with the welder. While I had it apart I looked at the openings in the body and it does not appear that the pipes have ever contacted the body on either side of the car so it looks like this is just one of those things that happen. By the way, if you have to take it apart, when you go to put it back together make sure you reinstall the mounting bracket to the pipe first before you attatch the mount to the frame otherwise it won't go together. Ask me how I know this
At ease, carry on.