Screen won't rotate consistently - accelerometer not working

My iPad (3rd Gen) is unable to rotate orientation properly when I turn it. Have tried all the usual things - have checked that the lock orientation button isn't on, fully restored iPad etc.
I can generally get it to change between portrait and landscape, but it generally only goes to one landscape and will be upside down to how I turned it sometimes. On unlocking, sometimes it will go straight to landscape even if I am holding it to be in portrait mode. Sometimes it just does not respond at all.
I downloaded an app that visualises the accelerometer and one of the axes does not seem to work properly.
Took it to the Apple Store a few months ago and the guy said he's never seen this problem before. He suggested calling Apple as their engineers may be interested in it (to see the problem), but I never bothered as I highly doubt they will do anything or really be interested. Am I wrong - should I call? This is a 3rd gen iPad and I never bought extra AppleCare, so it is obviously out of the service period and I can't afford the service/replacement fee (may as well buy a new one at 200 odd quid!)
I'm not that bothered about the problem, I tend to keep it in landscape anyway, which is why I always put off taking it to the store (the problem actually first appeared within the first 6 months of buying it, so this has been quite long term and I'm a bit silly for not chasing it back then, but oh well!) The only thing I can think of that *might* have caused it, is that the house I lived in was quite cold that winter and it would be very cold to the touch where I usually left it charging. Could low temperature have caused this? It was still indoors, though. Probably not.
I'm guessing the answer will largely be that there is nothing I can do and that this is a hardware fault. As far as I'm aware it is a rare fault, and not a known issue, but if anybody has any suggestions that would be helpful I'm all ears.
As I said, it doesn't bother me too much - there few apps where it is a requirement, and I tend to be able to use my iPhone when it is (can't progress in Sword and Sorcery without rotate, for instance.) In the meantime, I've sent feedback to Apple suggesting there should be a way to manually rotate the screen - though I can't see that they will ever implement this.

No problem. Ok so as of now, this is a 'first'. Unfortunatley becuase it is just that, i'm unable to help you, or advise you on what to do next.
If I were you, and you have completed the 5 R's on apple.com/support/ipod then i'd sent/take it back. Wow, Week 38, and a defect on GRAND scale (the accelerometer is one of the biggest selling points) - I'll keep you posted, if this issue becomes more-common place.

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