3400 MP Lamp turns off by itself

The projector is 1.5 years old. I estimate that it has been run between 300-400 hours and that's on the high side.

I have been told by some users of the projector that while in use the lamp turns off, but not on again. In one case, just last week, the lamp light glowed steadily after the lamp turned off by itself. In the other case the person does not remember what light(s) were on, but she did unplug the projector, plugged it back in and it worked.

I am the primary user of the projector and this has not happened to me.

Could it be the bulb already?  I have never seen the "Lamp is approaching the end...." message.

Thanks for the help!