The reason why I say Lightning's crash in the third film is reminiscent of this is Lightning pushing himself to beat Storm is putting himself through Physical pain similar to what Rod was going through when the Allinol is getting his engine boiled from the Allinol. Storm even taunting Lightning is similar to when Acer is showing Torque the photos from the party and the latter is resisting to give up. Rod resisting on Mater is Lightning being puzzled when he is getting passed and Rod blowing up is when Lightning officially crashes. 

Inside Out when Riley turns selfish and bossy during the dinner scene. Riley is in Rod's place while her parents are Professor Z and Acer respectively. Riley snapping and getting more cranky and selfish is the mental parallel of when Torque is being boiled from the Allinol. Riley's dad yelling back is Acer interrogating Rod with the photos and when Riley yells, "JUST SHUT UP!" is when Professor puts the camera on full power. (This also means Riley's dad sending her to her room is when Torque finally blows up) 

The Good Dinosaur when Poppa Henry is trying to lure Arlo into a Thunderstorm to chase Spot. Henry is Professor Z and Acer combined while Arlo is Rod. Although Henry did not go full on and realized Arlo was in Pain but it was already too late at that point. Then the rolls flip when Henry is killed by a flash flood. (Pixar is trying to say "Long Live the curse" on this one) 

Call me crazy but those three scenes and Rod's Death are all the same because of those reasons which is why I think that scene caused Pixar to go sour in the 2010s and the real reason why Rod's diecast hasn't been released since 2012.