Not so much a fear of semi-conductors,
but a fear of cheaply made electronic controls. I think that it is quite apparent, with the number of board failures on modern machines vs the number of timer failures on slightly older machines, that while QUALITY electronics are more reliable than mechanical timers, the electronics made at a competitive price point to a quality timer are simply not. A fair quality mechanical timer is likely priced at around what the cheapest electronics cost, henceforth why timers lasted so long and why the replacement electronics on modern machines fail so soon. Even the electronics on TOL '80s and '90s machines were of better quality because they were not built to a price point.
Might I add to this with a reminder the average SQ customer did not want electronics at all cost. Also, electronics add no more features than timers could on TL machines, in fact I think that they are less flexible. You are stuck with the cycle programming and the options they gray out. Also, since when does everyone need 25 cycles of which there are only likely 4 real cycles backing them up with only minor changes changes to what the cycle lets you select. For example, I ask what is the difference on a TL washer with a separate full fill option between "Bulky" and "Heavy-Duty"?