Do you know the one reason why most LEDs fail?
Heat. Heat is the enemy of all electronics, the hotter it is, the shorter the life span. However, with good design, you can create a light or fixture that can withstand some high heat environments. Typically a fixture or bulb with an external driver will last longer than an integrated fixture that has the LEDs and driver as one unit.
For more information about LED lighting, contact Pacific Lamp.