Frozen Blower Motor

I love my 2004 Aztek Rally AWD!

It's my first winter with my Aztek and I have had the heater blower motor "freeze" on me two times now. It's an easy fix, pull the bottom cover and hit it with a hair dryer for about 10 minutes...

I'm not sure what is causing the issue (other than the outside temperature) or if there is something simple I can do to prevent it from happening again.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, what did you do?

Have you tried just tapping it before heating it with the drier? Have you removed the blower and physically saw ice?

I have tried tapping on the motor but haven't removed it yet.

My money is on the tap test- it's the number one test to prove out a worn out blower motor-- I don't think you have an ice issue- best to put the hair dryer back in the house....

I'll try smacking it a little harder next time, I didn't hit it too hard. When it's -12 or colder it's best not to smack anything plastic too hard.