There is an 800MAX, and an older 800NG. The NG’s are not subject to this, and have been around a long time.
The MAX has a new wing and far more efficient engines, which IMO the issue is coming from.
At least in the Indonesia crash, and from what it looks like so far in the Ethiopia crash, bad sensors are making the plane take control from the pilots, who don't have time to figure out the "pat your head, rub your tummy, jump up and down three times on your left leg" procedure to override.