RE: Is it possible for a defective servo to cause a receiver to go defective?
Yes in theory. I have never heard of it happening but if the servo put a dead short on the rx it could cook a few output components or even burn off the track from the board. you could sniff the Reciever, burnt electronics have a distinct smell, quite unmistakeable.
You could take the top off and have a look. If something is burnt it may be quite obvious.
If so I would be asking the manufacturer for a new Rx as well as a new servo.
Regards,
John.