"developed a fault" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when something has become damaged or broken. Example: "The car developed a fault in the engine, causing it to break down on the highway."
I have to say I thought my TV had developed a fault when the screen appeared to freeze.
I bought a Furby Boom toy from Amazon Marketplace just over 18 months ago (in November 2013), which has developed a fault and lost its sound.
The response was disappointing, and it probably would have continued to be so had this particular Roomba not developed a fault in its obstacle-sensing circuit.
The Spanair aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 carrying 172 passengers and crew to the Canary Islands, was attempting to take off when it developed a fault.
Tesco said: "We were sorry to hear that our customer's iPad Air developed a fault outside of the full guarantee period and have offered the customer a partial refund".
A spokesman said: "The site had developed a fault and when the engineer went there he realised there was a Peregrine Falcon nesting which meant he couldn't get access.
Its 57-year-old steam engine develops a fault and has to be towed behind a diesel locomotive.
This can lead to serious difficulties if the systems develop a fault, as was the case with a 2009 Air France crash.
Today's answer is to throw out anything that develops a fault, and buy the latest, most-up-to date model.
Under the act you can claim a repair or a replacement if goods develop a fault any time up to six years (five in Scotland) after purchase, and it is the retailer not the manufacturer who must sort it out.
