What was the brand? I've heard that some (many or all?) aftermarket are not very good and don't last too long.
I've also heard that a fault in the DATC can cause it to over run the servo motors and kill them that way. (I've heard this in relation to the fresh air door servo, but I assume it could apply to any of them.)
Joe, I'm not gonna lie: I cheaped out and didn't go OEM.
Come to find out, the first time I did it, I didn't tighten the 3 screws down all the way, mostly the very back and top one. I had a hell of time working in those tight quarters.
The vendor I purchased it from on eBay was very cool and sent me a new one, free of charge.
When I just went to replace it, the white arm/hook that connects into the black arm/hook of the defrost door, had actually hopped out of place. I'm assuming the actuator didn't even go bad, it just wasn't properly opening/closing the arm to the door.
I just put the new one in and made sure to very snugly fit all screws into their place. Took a little longer than it probably should have, but it works again and that actuator isn't moving.
Thanks for chiming in again, Joe!
Side note: I did this in about half the time as the first time I did it. I had a horrible time trying to squeeze that instrument cluster out/in the first time around. Wasn't nearly as bad this time! lol