Appears you bought a new one.. Make sure it's not a knockoff.

Is it a cold rinse while it's hot? If so, might that contribute?

Unless Bed Bath and Beyond sells knock-offs, I don't think it would be.
As for the rinse, it's actually a very hot rinse so as to be sure to wash the coffee oils off and aid in its drying after a quick wipe off.

A new update. I just got this email, back where I sent them that picture.

"Hello Keith,

Thank you for contacting us, and for sending the photo. Those cracks are what we call stress cracks, and they are a very rare issue that occurred to a small number of AeroPresses produced with that material. We treat the issue as a defect. Please give me your shipping address, and I will send you a replacement chamber made of a new material, along with a seal.

Best Regards,

Scott Adler
Aerobie, Inc. "

Sounds like you can't complain about their support.

Nice!