it isn't a push issue. i've had my phone synched with my exchange 2k3 sp2 server all night and this morning and have yet to experience the dpad bug. the only issue i had with the new rom was getting my phone to initially sync with the exchange server. i had to put the settings in and sync it over activesync on my pc. seems to work now though.
i also have not had any freezes on my phone yet but i'll give that time
only thing i can guess is it is all bluetooth related as i don't use bluetooth