There are several scenarios I have added a linked component to another component, and then removed it later (not deleted it). This is useful for making a mirrored part, and also if you need another model in your component for reference. Later, if that component is updated and saved, you will see the yellow caution sign indicating components are out of date, but when you click it, it just gives you another caution telling you that components are still out of date. You have to roll back the timeline to before you removed the component, get the latest components, then restore the timeline. This could very well be by design, but I don't believe this should be the default behavior.
