Kidding, NO.
A quick browse of this forum would have popped up a ton of trans issues on the 3.6/6-speed.

 

There may be many threads with transmission issues, but few, if any with transmission failures requiring replacement.

There were several transmission failures with the earlier models that have the 3.8L/62TE and 4.0L/62TE combinations, mostly due to compounder bearing failure.

 

Personal experience with multiple 3.6/6-speeds is what kept me away from a newer van.

The issues with the 3.8L/4.0L were due to the low end torque either motor makes.

Frankly, there is a reason both my vans are pre-95, and it's not because they're cheap to buy. THEY LAST.

Regardless of the case, there is NO REASON for a trans to have issues before 150k, unless it's never maintained.

 

I appreciate both points of view guys. When I go on various forums for different car makers, I find that every maker has its issues and bad years, but the problems are usually not "automatic", in terms of all owners of of a particular model having the exact same problem. So what I was hoping was that with proper maintenance and normal driving habits I might avoid the issues that apparently happen with these transmissions. But being on alert for certain failure is whats pissing me off a bit.

 

I have not heard there is a high failure rate they just generally shift like crap.

 

And there is no need to be on alert for certain failure, as vipergg said above, most of the issues being reported are shift quality, not transmission failure.

 

Not the case from my experience. That being said, why the F*&^ would anyone be OK with driving a vehicle with a trans that shifts like ****?

 

I dont see what they gained by adding two extra gears. :At least the older four speed shifted reasonably well and the ratios were much better matched to the engine.The six speed doesnt shift well, seems like it shifts too slow between gears and there is a lag between shift points. What little fuel savings they might have doesn't make up for the poor shift quality. Torqueflite three speed wherefor art thou???

 

Do they even get better mileage?
My 94 3.0/3-speed averages 24-25mpg, the 95 3.3/4-speed averages 23-24mpg.
People I know with 3.6/6-speeds average 19mpg, 4.0l/6-speeds average 22mpg.
I don't see a gain there, quite the opposite actually.