Most if the EIFS failures I've seen are detail failures (with a few
installation faults as well).  It is an inherently fragile material, and not
for indiscriminate use everywhere.  There are some advantages however in light
weight, panelization impossible with stucco, etc.  I have an old installation
on a stair tower in a coastal location.  We used it because the tower wouldn't
take the weight of stucco and the installation problems were horribly
expensive.  The owner expected a 10 year life.  We got 20.  Been thru two
hurricanes and still going.  We still consider it sacrificial however and
would have preferred stone or hard rock stucco.

  Like many material selections they should be made based on the issues at
hand, the inherent ability of the material to meet these issues, and they must
be applied in the correct manner.  When you don't know what the material is,
how to use it, or even how to spell it, don't go running to a lawyer
complaining that it doesn't work.  Using this logic we preservation architects
should sue the brick industry for rising damp.
RPA