Toshiba 40" LCD Question

[jstout66]

I have a general question, and will post the model number when I get to it.
Set was manufactured 11/2011, and has about 50 hours on it.
Question.. were these junk?
I have some friends that have this mounted on a wall in the garage. ( non climate controlled) It was kind of humid here last night, and they went to turn it on.. got a slight snap, and the standby light comes on for a brief time, and set shuts off.
Did the environment quicken its demise, or were these flat out junk?