Faults:

Brakes needed replacing. Cost about $500, but it also needed front calipers and I had them flush the brake system while they were in there.

Strange clunking noise from front when in motion and steering wheel turned, or when hitting a speed bump. I finally broke down and paid the $25/year and subscribed to Alldata - after replacing much of the suspension without solving the problem! As it turns out, this is a frame flexing issue in higher mileage vans. Nothing to worry about unless cracks appear in the frame (and they haven't yet).

Blower motor switch stuck in low.

Transmission indicator (the little needle that tells you what gear you're in) broke, stuck in park. The van still drives fine, I just have to count the clicks.

Headlight switch acting up - have to jiggle it just right to get the headlights and parking lights on at the same time.

Squeak in steering column - went away with a little lubricant.

Tried to swap out tail lights for LED ones - blew a fuse. Will not accept LED lights. Period. Plus, who knew the same fuse for the tail lights would disable the ability to put the car in gear AND make the ABS light flash?

General Comments:

I like this van a lot.

I have had very few problems with it. I am not looking forward to if/when I do have problems though, because everything is very inaccessible, engine-wise. I have been putting off a tuneup for a year because I don't want to pay the dealer, but I'm not a small guy and would have a real problem trying to crawl inside the cowling in order to reach the spark plugs. I am planning to replace all radiator hoses as they appear to be original. Have been putting this off for the same reason.

Routine maintenance (fluid wise) is easy due to the fact it's high enough off the ground to change the oil without jacking. All fluid dipsticks/etc are well-located as long as you're tall.

The Haynes manual is pretty much useless on this car. "If so equipped" comes up far too often and there is not even an appropriate fusebox diagram! (see above). I have had VERY few problems, but recommend alldata.com for even routine maintenance issues, general questions, and anything that seems to be a nagging issue.

Faults:

In the last 40,000 miles...

Three water pumps

Two oil pumps

Engine has been removed three times for oil leaks -last at around 101,000 miles

Sensors-ICP, CAM, among others

Tranny doesn't shift into 2nd well

Power windows didn't work intermittantly and it was recommended that I replace the power unit. After engine was removed again it started working and we haven't had problems with it since.

Air control switch on front panel (for the front of the van) melted off.

A/C stopped working - serviced

Two seatbelts failed and had to be replaced

Rear axles needed work

At 107,000 miles the van began stalling again...it is still under warranty due to the last warranty work, but took it to another dealer who found...

8.25 quarts low on oil

1/4 - 1/2 quart oil in the V of the engine

Loose radiator clamps at front of engine.

General Comments:

Most of the work on the vehicle has been done in the last 40,000 miles. We ended up switching dealers once already due to lousy service and missing parts. We have been mostly happy with our new dealer, but it is a 75 minute drive! They still haven't fixed the problem and am not sure they even know how to.

We are trying to determine our next course of action.

If we were to pay for the warranty work (NOT counting regular maintenance), it would cost us nearly $12,000 in the last 20 months only.

Have experienced the van (an extended one) feeling like it would go up on two wheels when I steered onto the shoulder of a highway to avoid something in the road.

Comfortable and lots of room.

Have requested that a Ford Engineer look at the van.

Faults:

My Air conditioning went at 4000 miles. Fixed 3 times. Was told it must have leaked out. Recharged 3 times no luck. Keep leaking out. Then was told it was the rear blower switch. We argued they agreed from the troubles that it couldn't be this (after about 45 minutes then having one of their mechanics look at it. Problem was fixed just to leak out again. still not resolved

Running board rubber lining has started to peel.

General Comments:

This vehicle has done pretty good over-all it only has 12000 miles. The driving is kinda rough and the air sucks, but other than that its fine.

The only thing I can say about this is that besides the obvious- Not really great on mileage and being a van is that Ford customer service sucks. It is amongst the worst out there. I would recommend Plymouth, Chrysler, and Jeep customer service over fords. Not saying much there either.

Also This has the 5.4 liter v8.