are there any validity to the claims made on http://www.brokenv180.com?

Dear Cadillaccactus, 

There are many negative reviews on this phone, especially regarding
its screen functionality, which is also the main complaint on the site
you've found.

See, for example: 

Phone scoop
<http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=466> 

Epinions
<http://www.epinions.com/Motorola_V180> 

CNET 
<http://reviews.cnet.com/Motorola_V180/4505-6454_7-31126659.html>
(note the users' reviews, not the editor's, who probably hasn't stuck
arond long enough to see the screen problems).

Review Centre
<http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews78860.html> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. My search strategy:
Motorola v180 reviews