Common Causes of Motor Failure Motor failure can be caused by various electrical or mechanical conditions. Based on motor manufacturers’ analysis, about 44% of motor failure problems are related to heat resulting from overloads and single phasing. The overheating problem reduces motor winding insulation life by half for every 10 ˚C increase in winding temperature. In other words, operating a motor at 10 ˚C above its maximum temperature rating will reduce its expected life expectancy by 50%.