That is why I used the word "rarely". Yes I know starters can be defective. I have owned a defective starter or two. BUT it is NOT usually the reason your vehicle won't crank. It IS usually something else. Battery, Battery terminals, Ground terminal. Battery cables (yes battery cables are OFTEN the cause). Starter relay, and lastly Starter Solenoid, which nowadays is considered a part of the starter. So YES, starters fail, But I still believe it is rare considering all the other reasons so named.