Can people list the YEAR of thier ST and Problems they've had please?

[Evox]

2004 4x2 currently with around 250k miles.

I've had no real mechanical issues with the truck. I have replaced some wear items.

1. Brake pads and rotors.
2. Ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, outer tie rods. sway bar bushings and links, and shocks.
3. rear differential speed sensor.
4. Body bushings, but only B and C position, A and D are still fine.
5. Oil and filter change every 3-5k miles.
6. Transmission fluid and filter.
7. Rear differential fluid change
8. Valve cover gaskets, and oil pan gasket
9. The truck has had three alternators on it over the years.
9. Instrument cluster** this went nuts around 200k miles.-->so I guess this is my only BIG mechanical failure.

I've done all the work myself, so, maybe $1200-$1500 parts total over the years. Not including tires and batteries, the last set cost me roughly $800 about a month ago.

Other than those items its really mostly just been fluid changes and wear items. Oil, transmission, rear differential, and filters. The engine and transmission run as good today as they did when new. It's really been a problem-free truck.

 

[Gil G]

2004 4x2 currently with around 250k miles.

I've had no real mechanical issues with the truck. I have replaced some wear items.

1. Brake pads and rotors.
2. Ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, outer tie rods. sway bar bushings and links, and shocks.
3. rear differential speed sensor.
4. Body bushings, but only B and C position, A and D are still fine.
5. Oil and filter change every 3-5k miles.
6. Transmission fluid and filter.
7. Rear differential fluid change
8. Valve cover gaskets, and oil pan gasket
9. The truck has had three alternators on it over the years.
9. Instrument cluster** this went nuts around 200k miles.-->so I guess this is my only BIG mechanical failure.

I've done all the work myself, so, maybe $1200-$1500 parts total over the years. Not including tires and batteries, the last set cost me roughly $800 about a month ago.

Other than those items its really mostly just been fluid changes and wear items. Oil, transmission, rear differential, and filters. The engine and transmission run as good today as they did when new. It's really been a problem-free truck.

 

[Gil G]

My ST is a 2002 (not 4x4) with 195k
1. I have replaced Rotors and pads (front)
2. Body bushings ....mine were Toast. I went with Prothane bushings I did it my self with advice from ToddZ and others
3. Thermostat housing (plastic) sensors were leaking I had to take off the Radiator & Fan to get it off.
4. I did the water pump while I was there and belts
5. Front and rear passenger window regulator motors had to be replaced
The usual Oil changes every 35k miles. Tires ...Battery
This has been a Very dependable Truck It's taken me across the country twice
And it's Still going strong

 

[Evox]

I can't speak to the 4x4's, I've heard people complain about problems with them. But the 1st gen ST 2x4 is simple, solid and easy to maintain. I've no doubt that mine has many more trouble-free miles left on it.

The interior still looks good for its age. There is a little fading of the tan interior on the door panels, but the dash still looks good. I've thought about taking the door panels off and repainting them, but they're just not bad enough to go to the trouble. I'm glad I have the solid seat (vinyl with leather insert). My one complaint is the leather-wrapped steering wheel. I don't know what Ford used to back-up and pad the leather, but whatever it was it turns to black goo. I stripped it off, and honestly, the wheel looks fine naked. But I'll probably recover it.

As far as the exterior of the truck I'm glad I have a white truck because the paint is easy to keep looking good. I don't think I'd ever buy another color truck than white. Dark trucks look great when new, and if they're pampered garage queens, but dark colors just don't hold up like good old white paint.

I was debating about selling it (just want something new) but my ask to part with it would be well above its carfax retail price of $3200. So it'd take a knowledgable buyer, and perhaps someone wanting a well-sorted sport trac to understand that it's not just an old truck. It's been well maintained, I've never deferred maintenance on it.

These days in our use it and throw away culture that might be like finding a unicorn.