Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Worked great for almost year. We did not use it everyday and only then for smoothies that maybe were blended for 20 to 30 seconds. As we used it over time, it became louder and louder until today we could not get the cup onto the unit. I discovered the problem is that the bearing was slowly rusting and is now rusted out completely. SEE PICTURE! Since the blade cannot turn, the unit will not allow the gears to turn and engage. This stops the base from getting low enough to delock the safety catches. Even if it did engage, the blade is absolutely rusted tight and will not turn. I am guessing the talk about the motor being strained from less viscous liquids is more a product of failing bearings. (Like driving on a tire that is slowly losing air) Eventually the motor cannot over come the failing bearings and will grind to halt or burn itself out trying. Also the brown particles and liquid that many folks see is a product of rusting and deterioration of the bearings. I have written to the company. It will be interesting to see what (if any) response I get.