Yet another reason that FORDS are my least favorite...
Ford Owners Psalm
The Ford is my auto, I shall not want
It leadeth me in the path a ridicule for it's namesake
It soreth my soul
It guideth me to the parts counter
Yea, though I ride through vallies, I am towed up hills
My rods and my engine discomfort
me I fear much evil
I anointeth my tires with patches,
My radiator runneth over.
Surely if this thing follows me all the days of my life I shall dwell in the bug house forever.
btw, I have a 94 Ford E150 Chateau Club Wagon, with a 5.8L (351) in it. Well over 200,000 miles and still running like a top. Only repairs to it since 1994 were to replace the idler pulley twice, and the windshield wiper/turn signal stalk once.
I still believe that how a vehicle is maintained, and used from the day it is purchased new matters in the performance of that vehicle later in it's useful life.
Also, I still maintain that all car makers (ALL of them) produce a number of lemons every year.