The sliding mechanism imposes an additional potentially failure point. Since it's mechanical, there is definitely a MTBF for the ribbon. If it was designed and constructed well, the MTBF of sliding mechanism could be long enough to sustain till other parts were deteriorated first.
I heard the ribbon is similar to those used on DSLR camera/lens with MTBF of about 1 million times slide. If you use it carefully enough, there should be no problem.

Did you by chance , restart your phone when your phone hangs? It tends to do that and dmges your memcard. When your phone is stick try to give it time. it will recover in due time. Ive had it few times and now ive learned to backup my files per weekly.

Also firmware .448 alot of bugs.. hangs alot.. damn it..