Yet another reason that FORDS are my least favorite...

All brands of vehicles have their PIA problems. Take the Nissan V6, they are on at least their fourth update on the timing chain issues. My buddy has a 2005 Nissan Quest and at 50K plus or minus miles it developed the timing chain knock. How about a $2800 fix?

The run away Toyotas.

Ford had chronic problems with many of the 3.8s they put in the rear wheel drive vehicles. I have owned several Ford Probes with the 4 cylinder engines with auto trannys and all of them were good cars. Never had a V6.

I have had endless problems with the later Mopar fwd cars. The 2.7 is noted for its problems.

GM has issues with their intake on the 3800 Series II engines and on some of their 3100s.

There isn't any of the modern cars that don't have issues of some type. More electronic equipment and emissions has to bring more problems. Welcome to the new and not improved world of working on vehicles.