I feel like 90% of these problems could be fixed (Or outright avoided) if the console users could use the "Command Prompt".
It could be accessed by pressing the Silver/Green button in the middle of the controller on Xbox. I Don't have a PS3 but a combination of button presses could be used in either case.
I honestly think it would fix most of the problems, almost ANY glitch could be fixed/avoided.
Example: Item fell through the world? Spawn it at your feet and set the quest forward a stage or two.

As a side benefit, it would probably stop people from using third party software to mod their saves and/or entrusting the task to people on the internet.

Biggest reason for posting this? Just bought Hearthfire and DawnGuard, and only AFTER finding a glitch do I learn of all the wonderful easy solutions on the PC only, leaving the consoles to wait a few months for a patch...
And it's not just the Plug-ins either!
A few other quests also have these kinds of issues (Those easily fixed by a command prompt code) exist as well.
Yes it could be difficult and annoying to enter the code using the digital keyboard, but waiting a few months for a fix is FAR more so in my opinion.

Alright, here's hoping this doesn't rustle too many feathers... so to speak.

Oh and also, from what I have been told ALL the programming for the 'Console Command Prompt' is still in the files of the game, there is simply no way to access the command (AKA no button to activate it).
It could probably be put in an update. Would make complaints about glitches and errors less severe. They would still need to be fixed, but at least there would be a way around it.