I can't speak for Ford and I wouldn't be able to categorically state that
the problem wasn't fixed in production..... notice that there are only a
very few model years affected by this problem. Through the affected years,
the Ex was an extremely popular vehicle and many were sold so it's no
surprise that we see so many afflicted.

I'm sure that all manufacturers take steps to improve their product line but
the bean counters and stockholders would frown on retooling an existing part
if it is to be discontinued in the next model year run.

Many years ago, manufacturers were striving for "zero defects" (I'm sure
some of the olders guys will remember the posters around the workplace).....
since then, they have seen that it is cheaper to accept a certain amount of
warranty costs rather than try to improve the product to 100%. This is a
fact of life when dealing with mass produced consumer goods. It's not just a
Ford thing... we see all manufacturers having pattern failures of one sort
or another.

I've fallen victim to many of the pattern failures associated with my '92
Ex.... I like the car, it does what I expect it to and I'm sure that any
similar vehicles would share their own pattern failures with me. Mind, it
helps that all I have to pay for is the parts and spend a little time....
I'm sure that the coming years will offer up similar experiences with the
SuperCrew.

Jim Warman
mechanic@telusplanet.net