Word of caution to potential new Ford owners.
Was a proud owner of 2009 F150 Platinum... Now that the warranty period is up seems to be falling apart. 43,000 miles and the power steering now leaks. Apparently this is such a wide spread problem the dealership can't even get the replacement parts and Ford has no intentions of standing behind the problem. Now the A/C condenser is leaking at the hose connection, the hose connection is actually cracking and breaking away from the condenser. Best thing about the condenser problem is the repair shop asked if it has ever been in an accident. Apparently they haven't seen "those types of clamps" used on A/C systems in years. Even though the clamps don't appear to be the problem it really gives you a great level of assurance that your $50,000 truck was built "Ford Tough". 3 years in and starting to regret the choice to go back to an American made truck after having owned a Tundra.

 

You know, Ford does offer several different levels of the Extended Service Plan (ESP) that will cover just about everything on the truck, including the p/s and a/c. As for the former, the P/S lines on these tend to leak at the pressure sensor or clamps.
As for the latter, most of the connections (at least on the f-body) are the spring locks; Ford didn't wander very far with these. It sounds like the dessicant came apart and plugged up the system, possiby destroying the compressor.
And besides, how long is the truck/car supposed to be under warrnty? The powertrain on these (5yr, 60K miles) is still in effect, and that's longer then many.

 

Sorry, I don't mean to be argumentative, but I guess I just expect more than you do GreaseMark. Your point is well taken, perhaps an ESP should be considered a requirement when buying a Ford. I have also owned both a GM truck and a Toyota truck from new, and I have not had similar issues within months and miles of hitting the warranty period. As for 5 yrs and 60k miles on the power train, that is the minimum any truck manufacturer is offering, including Nissan and Toyota. Both Chevy and Dodge are offering 5 yrs 100k on theirs. I drove all of them before buying and was significantly impressed with the F150 at the time, I am just very disappointed with the fact that basic 'systems' in the truck are failing already. Yes I consider power steering and A/C basic systems.

 

I don't even think anyone makes any car without p/s anymore. I'm not sure about a/c, but the p/s should be an easy fix once parts become availble.
As a tech, I know what you're going through. Consider from my end, I get to listen to the customer that has a 2012 Feista with 6000 miles on it at the shop for 3 months while the waterpump becomes availble. I've already had the customer and Ford bitch at me about how long it's been, which is pretty rich when you consider that I have nothing to do with it, but fix it. Ford told me to let the customer have it while the part is being manufactured, to which I replied: "will you ship me a new engine when this overheats in a day?" Of course, they said no, but I'm tired of listening to them. I'm not a scapegoat; all I do is fix cars. They make them, and when they won't (or can't) let me do my job, I don't consider it my fault.
If you wish, you could contact Ford and complain; that could help. I hope so; because I actually agree with you completely about the P/S; I've seen many of the hoses leaking. As for the A/C, I've actually seen more problems on the Expeditions, but I know the F series is no stranger to their share of problems, either.
Good luck!