I have a different take on this.

Older Vanagons have more problems, I believe, mostly because the PO
couldn't/wouldn't spend the time and money having the right work done on
their car. Very few garages want to see these things which means if they DO
have to work on it the cost will be high and the work so-so.

Same situation applied to about any unique low production volume vehicle,
I'll bet. I wonder what the local fix-it place will do with the new Eurovans
in 10 years?

john