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@Bearlegged
CF got a bad rep in the early days of its use in bicycles for a number of factors. These days the stresses placed on components are far better understood and construction methods have altered accordingly.
As a result, CF design is much improved to the point where (weight for weight) the absolute strength and reliability of components are easily as good as steel, aluminum or titanium alternatives. Look to Chris Hoy and other track sprinters for an example of how much force can be put through a CF stem...
As ever when it comes to bikes and components, one must consider the maxim of "strong, light, cheap - pick any two".
Also, longevity and reliability of components will depend upon their use and installation - an over-tightened "good old traditional metal" component will be far more likely to fail than a CF one installed to the correct torque settings.