Faults:

Failure of the O-rings for PCV blanking plugs and PCV valve were common for me. Would leak onto the exhaust and smoke.

Got quite good at replacing them.

Had a fuel gauge sending unit fail, causing a check engine light. Another easy fix though.

Also had to have the timing belt replaced twice. Once because of idler pulley failure. By the way this engine is non-inference, therefore no valves were bent when it failed.

General Comments:

We had the 2wd version and this was one of the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned. Bought it for $1300 and drove it for 10 years. Yes it had some faults and the seats weren’t the most comfortable, but it was very easy to work on.

Even had a 50’ tree fall on it. I paid to replace the windshield, found a used side view mirror on eBay, and popped the rear bumper cover into place and was back on the road. Sure it had some dents, but that added to its character.

My 3 sons each had use of it as they aged and sadly my youngest wrecked it, but we put nearly 100k miles on it had it for 10 years. Not bad for a $1300 vehicle.