Faults:

I purchased this vehicle in spring 2002, it has all power options including power locks, mirrors, windows and cruise control.

First of all, as soon as I started driving this vehicle, I have noticed a suspicious noise coming from under the hood from the right side. Fortunately, the 36,000 miles warranty provided by manufacturer has not expired, so I have taken the vehicle to the South Bay Ford dealership in Hawthorn - the one where I purchased it. A mechanical inspection revealed a faulty AC compressor.

Almost at the same time, the "Air Bags" light started to come on each time I turned a steering wheel maximum to the left position. A mechanic found a broken wire in a steering column.

The most painful thing in my vehicle is the door... On the new van, the one that has never been damaged in any way, it leaks inside - water after each car-wash or a rain gets right on those power options I paid for... So both me and my passengers listen to the door locks play (they activate erratically all time it rains because water keeps getting on wires) every rainy day. I cannot leave my van locked in the street at the rainy day because water unlocks it. Naturally, I took it to the South Bay dealership while it was under the warranty. A mechanic inspected the door, wiped all water and didn't find the leak. So when I showed up to pick up van, they announced that the cause of the trouble was washing the door from inside with water (!), and awarded me with a strip of paper indicating that nothing was repaired or replaced. Thank you.

General Comments:

My point is, before imports grab 100% of the automotive market in USA, (which appears to be just a question of time) Ford Corporation might establish a decent quality control on it's plants.