A transducer reliability testing and VCSEL failure prediction method are provided. The method includes applying a testing temperature and a constant current to a VCSEL for a testing time. The method monitors a forward voltage of the VCSEL and determines if a first change in forward voltage is above a first predetermined threshold over the testing time and if a second change in forward voltage is above a second predetermined threshold over a portion of the testing time. The method determines failure of the VCSEL if either of these predetermined thresholds are exceeded. The method determines passage of the VCSEL if the first change in the forward voltage and the second change in the forward voltage are both below the first predetermined threshold and the second predetermined threshold, respectively.