It was the known issues with this engine, rear timing chain cassette failure requiring removal of engine, which had one cylinder loosing compression (ie going out or head gasket or such) so replacement of engine was as cheap as fixing. New Ford engine had 3yr unlimited miles warranty.

Bigger issue was the Ford rebuilding factory was somehow not getting the correct specs for the engine and it actually went through 2 Brand New engines with in 250 miles of driving (so 3 total including factory installed).

Took 6 months of total time and being without the car most of that, as it doesn't take long to drive 250 miles, but engine #2 and #3 were under the engine warranty, which doesn't cover rental car FYI.

Local dealer was awesome in service, and then checking all parts of the 3rd new engine to make sure it was good, down to re-torquing the main barrings, which were the failure points of the other 2 OEM Ford engine (long blocks to boot).

3-21-11 I finally took the step to I was so hesitant to make to upgrade my vehicle. Growing up I was mostly a Ford person however that changed after several new Fords kept letting me down. After about 5 brand new Fords had issues, I drew the line and became a Chevrolet fan! I decided to upgrade my vehicle and looked for over a month not finding exactly what I wanted in my budget. I saw the 2004 sportrac on a car lot and although it was not a chevrolet, I loved it. I did not qualify for $12,000.00 and above anywhere however the dealer here was willing to work with me on the down payment and financing on this vehicle that was over $15,000.00. Money is tight and I wanted to get something that would last awhile and not worry about getting something cheap that would break down everytime you turn around like many used vehicles do. I was willing to pay above the $15,000.00 area to ensure a better lasting not ragged out used vehicle. I felt that my trade in should have been allowed more than I got however, I was getting a nice upgrade and was happy with that and that they would finance me more than other places and work with me on the rest of my down payment. I was able to scrounge up $2,644.00 down along with my 2000 hightop conversion van as the down payment which got my total owed down to $11,995.00 after financing and my cash down and trade in my final total was $19,256.25. The 1st month was great, My boyfriend drove it to work 1 day during the 2nd month and something fell off the steering wheel, I asked the dealer about the coverage I had .. They told me it would not cover the part, which cost me over $100.00 .. the 3rd month I was driving down the road and all the sudden a brief whinning noise and the motor died and overheated instantly. My full coverage, the dealer and that coverage states I am not covered for any help fixing it. I spoke with a Ford Rep and found the year and model of my truck had many problems yet no one with Ford would take the time to look into my truck and it's issues. No Ford Rep seems to even want to discuss my truck. I am PISSED that I went out on a limb and spent $19,256.25 to buy something low in miles that looks good that would last awhile and yet I got another FORD lemon that FORD won't even look into and for that price The dealer should have either fixed my truck or taken a fair price off the truck .. that is good business instead .. I still have payments of $463.00 a month, called monthly if my full coverage insurance is not paid the morning of or even a couple days before my full coverage is even due. Since I had over $3,000.00 invested before I even drove off the lot i've been trying to not loose everything I worked for by continuing to pay on it with hopes of help fixing it with no luck! With the truck being under 89,000 miles and the motor just blows up on such a newer model vesicle I feel Ford should have replaced the motor free of charge, hell I would have even settled for a free motor replacement and had a friend put it in. I also appreciate Webb Brothers Used Cars in Rockingham N.C. working with me on my down payment, my payments and allowing me a higher vehicle allowance however, I feel they have done sh*tty business when it comes to selling a vehicle for a total of $419,256.25 that lasted only 3 months and watching my insurance like a hawk knowing the piece of sh*t wasn't even running and they have already made over $11,000.00 off me trying to keep my truck so I can eventually come up with the money to fix it which will be another estimated 5 grand. I think the whole situation is bullshit! I will not recommend another Ford or this dealer. I think Ford and this dealer in this situation has done bad business and either or both should have replaced this motor. Not to mention the inconvenience I've had to deal with along with paying on 1 vehicle and having to get a 2nd extra cheap to use to get back and forth to work to pay for the almost $20,000 not running truck. Thanks Webb Brothers Used Cars, Richmond Financial and Thank you Ford for my approx. 5th lemon! You all should always do good business and make this fair. I am not asking for my truck to be paid off, i've been paying all along however, you should make this right! Customers are supposed to be priority in a business. This situation has been nothing but ridiculious bullshit since the 3rd month after I invested everything I have in a "worthy" and newer upgraded vehicle ...I hope Ford will read this and make things fair and right!

Harmonic Balancer went bad May 2009, just under 19,000 miles on my 2004 ST! Left my family and I stranded on I-95 in Philadelphia. Ford has sold a lot of replacements but won't issue recall or TSB. The serpentine jumped off the balancer pully and landed on the rubber mount of the balancer then ate through the sensor.

Jan 21, 2010: Started up the ST, no problem. Drove one block, stopped at stop sign. Made right turn and accelerated, then the ST died; 22,000 miles. Just before it lost all power in the engine, I heard what sounded like a turbine quickly decelerating. Now I turn the key, hear the starter clicking, and nothing happens with the engine. Towed to FORD dealership. There was a rattle just before this happened.

FORD service dept. rep called me late yesterday and said it may be attributed to poor installation of harmonic balancer, possibly not torqued correctly; sounded like passing the buck. He needed permission to pull the front of the engine apart to look inside, I gave him a green light to do so.

He just called today and said the "key way and sprocket" are bad. He said they come in a kit with a new timing chain; parts and labor after a friendly discount: $925. The truck is already there and apart, so I gave them the go ahead to fix it. Normal price would have been about $1100. Sucks to be me!

Strange, they have a "repair kit" to fix this particular issue, but FORD says there is no problem with the engine! Harmonic balancer goes bad, fix it with new and improved one. Then this happens, fix it with new and improved parts from a "repair kit"! There are no known problems with this engine....more BS from FORD!

Time to call FORD customer service I suppose.