The A4LD is an AWESOME transmission. I have two 1993 3.0L Aerostars, one with 430,000 miles and one with 332,000 miles. NEITHER transmission has been out of either van. Both have had only one fluid change. Everything is factory original in my Aerostars.
I typically overload the vans, often grossing out at 6,000 pounds. Been back and forth across the Rockies like that several times. Typically drive them 500 miles per week without ever needing to worry about breaking down.
That said, I sell transmission parts for a living. In the 90s A4LD parts fed me for years. The worst years were in the 80s when the forward and low planets were both aluminum. Those years the overdrive planet would twist off the sprag race and the two aluminum planets would melt when the transmission overheated.
The overdrive planet problem was solved in 1990. The forward planets were replaced with steel planets in 1990. The low planets were replaced with steel planets in 1990 for 4.0L engines and in 1993 for other engines.
As a result, the last two years (1993 & 1994) were almost bullet proof in all applications. My experience abusing my Aeros supports that statement. I fully expect to get at least a half a million miles on my A4LDs before I need to fix them.
Actually, if they bomb, I will just replace them. I have two spare 1993 Aerostar A4LDs in storage, both with under 100,000 original miles on them. I got them from two different wrecking yards because they are so good the wrecking yards could not sell them. I got them for $10 each directly out of the wrecking yard inventory, but have never needed them.
Since I have had no problems, and there was no button for me to push, I did not vote. However, based on my experience selling parts, the 80s were the worst, 90-92 much better, and 93-94 darn near bullet proof.