2003 Ford Excursion

Routine

Owners filed 106 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
57,000 milesMedian miles at failure

79 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System17
153
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel8
010
Tires7
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Steering5
100
Engine and Engine Cooling5
000
Fuel System, Diesel4
000
Engine4
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint3
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights11V352000
Filed Jul 13, 201126,715 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel07V553000
Filed Dec 5, 20071,176,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicle Speed Control07V078000
Filed Mar 6, 2007155,584 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery04V327000
Filed Jul 7, 200483,687 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.

Risk. IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed Jan 2, 2023NC

My wife, two young daughters, and I were traveling out of town for the New Year. As we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina, I started to notice that the vehicle was starting to vibrate. Over the course of the next +\- 10 miles the vibration became much worse and eventually forced me to get off of the highway. I exited the highway at exit 103 on I-85 southbound (NC-109) and was able to get the vehicle to a National Tire and Battery Shop located at 2 Cloniger Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360. Upon inspection, they noticed a large bulge in the driver side rear tire and told me that they thought that I might have broken a belt inside of the tire. They were able to get it off and put on the full size spare, thus allowing us to get to our destination. I strongly believe that had I not exited the highway when I did, there was a high likelyhood that the tire could have blown thus causing us to crash. With that said, this failure put my entire family at risk. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The tire has only been inspected by the National Tire and Battery that took it off and replaced it with the full size spare. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The problem started they day of the incident as we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina. Tire Size - LT

Suspension
Filed Oct 8, 2021110,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Excursion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension made an abnormal popping sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an air bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire which he linked to the suspension failure. The tire was not replaced. The contact also stated that after he replaced the radio inside the vehicle, the radio had become defective after the second day of installation. The contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the speakers. Upon investigation, he linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V327000 (Electrical System). Additionally, the contact also mentioned that the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop without warning. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and he informed him that the camshaft needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V553000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Steering
Filed May 26, 2020189,000 milesTN

THE VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ISSUE. IT WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT MOSTLY BUT OCCASIONALLY TO THE LEFT. SO YOU SPEND THE ENTIRE DRIVE CORRECTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE ROAD. TOWING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE TRAILER TO GO IN TO A SNAKING MOTION BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION. THIS OCCURS WHEN EVER THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 10, 2020160,000 milesKY

PAVEMENT WAS WET...CIT WAS DARK ....A CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY..MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO SKID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME..CAUSING REAR DAMAGE TO IT...MY AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY..WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH..BUT SEEMED TO INCREASE IN SPEED SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY SAFE DRIVING DISCOUNT ON MY ISTATE FARM INSURANCE...HAD TO PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM FOR 3YRS BECAUSE OF IT..I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN MY SAFE DRIVER DISCOUNT BACK CAN GET STATEFARM DOCUMENTATION LATER IF NEEDED

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2019200,106 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INJECTOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,106. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 7, 2018123,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO APPROXIMATELY 75-80 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Steering
Filed May 17, 2018235,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 14, 201740,000 milesVA

FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK OFF AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE NOISE, EXHAUST ENTERS THE DRIVERS CABIN, VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAVE 4 FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT AROUND 50,000 MILES AND 48 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. FORD REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER ANY PORTION OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM LIFETIME EMISSIONS WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT, NOR THE 100,000 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I HAVE SPENT OVER $8000.00 MAKING REPAIRS TO THESE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. TRITON V-10 GAS ENGINE.

Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 201717,000 milesPA

THE 6.8 AND 5.4 ENGINES HAVE BEEN FAILING DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE TRAIN CAM FOLLOWERS. I AM HAVING THE 3RD ENGINE INSTALLED IN MY EXCURSION. THE CAM FOLLOWERS ARE FAILING AND SPITTING THEM OUT CAUSING CATSTROPIC ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANTHONY BARIANA WHO WORKS FOR HOLMAN DISTRIBUTION IN NEW JERSEY @ 1-800-521-1223 EXT 305 AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE 6.8 AND 5.4 ENGINES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY TRUCK AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. MT TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT MATTHEWS PAOLI FORD 610-644-4700 AND THE GENERAL MANAGER BRYAN LIPPINCOTT TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED 6 STATE FARM TRUCK ENGINES IN 2.00 MONTHS 6.8 LITER SAME AS MINE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING FROM WHAT I SEE DOING SOME RESEARCH BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE AND HAVE A FIX SO THIS WILL STOP COSTING CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I WAS DRIVING ON MY STREET AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE SO I SHUT IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER MATTHEWS FORD LOCATED IN PAOLI PA.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injured
Filed May 13, 2017CA

TAMARA RECALL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED THE CARS POWER DOES 100% SHUT OFF. NO CODES OR WARNING LIGHTS. IN DEC/2016 DRIVING ON A ON A EAST ON CHARLESTON BLVD IN NV, AFTER PULLING OUT OF CIT BANK PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT 45 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND WHEN I WENT TO BREAK THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND THAT'S WHEN I SAW NO POWER. BY THEN IT WAS TOO LATE AND WE WERE GOING TO CRASH. I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR ABS AND I HIT THE CAR. IT CAUSED 12000 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ONLY BUMPER AND FOG LIGHT DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK THANKFULLY. AFTER THAT THE PROBLEM DIDN'T RE ACCUR UNTIL 2/2017 AND LEFT ME STRANDED OVER NIGHT ON THE ROAD AND NOW LAST NIGHT 5/13/2017 THE CAR WAS OFF NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND I SAW SMOKE THAT CAME FROM WHERE THE BATTERY SITS NOT SURE WHAT THAT WAS BUT ODD IT WAS. IT HAS NO RHYTHMIC PATTERN, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY FUSES RELAY AND FUEL PUMP, ALSO CHECKED CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SENSOR. IT HAS SPARK GAS AIR AND COMPRESSION. IT'S A VERY LARGE AND HEAVY DEATH TRAP WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY OTHER WISE I LOVE MY TRUCK AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED

Electrical System
Filed Apr 28, 2017UT

THE INTER LIGHTS STAY ON ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER YOU TURN TRUCK OFF, THE LOW RANGE 4X4 WILL NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL YOU BACK UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING THE TRUCK OFF SHOWS BATTERY LIGHT THEN GLOW PLUG LIGHT SHUTS ENGINE OFF AND HAVE TO JUMP THE TRUCK THEN IT RUNS FOR 45 MINUTES AND JUMP IT AGAIN

Power Train
Filed Jan 23, 2017TN

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF AND MY TRUCK LOSES POWER AND IF YOU AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRUCK WILL CUT OFF. WHEN I TAKE TO THE SHOP THEY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD BUT IT MAY BE ABLE TO BE ON A RECALL.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 31, 2015140,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SPARKED A FIRE AND THE WIRING OF THE SHIFTER BEGAN TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING INSULATION OF THE LEVER HAD WORN AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SILVER CIRCUIT BOX INSIDE OF THE FUSE BOX MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS DISCONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, A MODIFICATION HAD TO BE MADE TO BYPASS THE MELTING CURRENT BY PLACING AN EXTERNAL WIRE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 27, 2015150,000 milesCA

AT TOP OF A HILL I STOPPED COMPLETELY AND SHIFTED TO LOW GEAR, THE WIRES IN GEAR SHIFT KNOB SPARKED LOUDLY AND BEGAN BURNING. STOPPED CAR IMMEDIATELY, OPENED HOOD AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY. OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT HARNESS IS A SHODDY DESIGN. WIRE INSULATION WEARS THROUGH WHILE RUBBING WITH GEAR SHIFTER SELECTION. THERE IS NO ARMORING OR OTHER COVERING FOR THE THIN FLIMSY HARNESS WIRES.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 27, 2015145,000 milesCA

AT NIGHT, IN FOG, IN DRIVEWAY, I TURNED ON HIGH BEAMS, DEFROSTERS, WIPERS AND LOWERED DRIVER WINDOW. A MAJOR SILVER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE FUSE BREAKER BOX OVERHEATED MELTED AND POPPED. FORD'S INCOMPETENT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S DESIGN CAUSES CIRCUIT BOARD SILVER CIRCUITRY IN FUSE BOX TO MELT, WHILE NO CIRCUIT BREAKERS MELT/WORK. THE CIRCUIT THAT MELTED ALSO CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOSE USE OF INDICATORS AND GAUGES IN THE DASH GAUGE PANEL, THE ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILS TO WORK AND VEHICLE DIES WITHIN A DAY, WITH NO WARNING, WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY. FORD HAS AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF FUSE BOXES FOR THE 2003 EXCURSION XLT 5.4L. FORD HAS NO REPLACEMENT FUSE BOXES TO SELL. PROBLEM IS SO COMMON ON THE INTERNET, I LUCKILY LOCATED THE LAST USED FUSE BOX IN THE COUNTRY, 1000 MILES AWAY FROM CA. FORD'S ONLY SOLUTION WAS A NEW FUSE BOX FOR A NEWER F150 COSTING $750 AND REQUIRING HUNDREDS OF MORE DOLLARS TO MODIFY IT FOR AN F250/F350/EXCURSION. THE MELTING FUSE BOX HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE YEAR AT $500 PER FAILURE. TECHNICIAN HAD TO PUT IN AN EXTERNAL BYPASS WIRE WITH ITS OWN EXTERNAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. NO MORE MELTDOWNS IN 2.5 YEARS. INCOMPETENT FORD ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 20, 201598,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN (NA), TIRE LINE: LT26575R16 LOAD RANGER E (NA) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 23, 20141,000 milesOH

THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION 6.0 LITER DIESEL, FIRST BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER WHO WAS WORKING ON RECALL ITEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM THE DEALER (DEALER NOW OUT OF BUSINESS). AFTER A WHILE THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER, BUT NOT STALLING WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY UP HILLS. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN PARTS, EGR VALVE ETC, IT WAS STATED THAT THE INJECTORS WERE BAD. ALL INJECTORS REPLACED. FRONT MAIN LEAF SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED - THE SPRING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, -THE REPAIR FACILITY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSIZED, AND THEY STOPPED MAKING THE ORIGINAL SPRING, BECAUSE TOO MANY WERE BREAKING. WE THEN AGAIN STARTED EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING - AT THIS TIME MY KIDS WERE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THIS WAS PARTICULARLY WORRISOME. MY REPAIR SHOP SENT THE VEHICLE TO A HEAVY TRUCK AND DIESEL REPAIR SHOP, SPECIALIZING IN AMBULANCES. AFTER CHARGING ME $3000 TO FIX MY PROBLEMS (VARIOUS PIECES AN PART RELATED TO THE ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, ETC), THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO OPERATE WELL. WHILE UP IN CLEVELAND FOR THANKSGIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY - . HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER, AND RENT A REPLACEMENT DURING OUR VACATION. THE DEALER SAID MORE OF THE FUEL/ENGINE ISSUES AND AFTER CHARGING ME ANOTHER $1500, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, SAME STALLING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WOULD SIMPLY STALL, AT LOW SPEED, HIGH SPEED, UNDER LOAD, OR NO LOAD -

Electrical System
Filed Mar 15, 201275,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED AND PROVIDED ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2011183,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY AND WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE 2003 MODEL EXCURSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THE 2004 MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 23, 2011IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE SEAT BELTS WERE FRACTURED, TWO IN THE MIDDLE ROW AND ONE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT HAD BECOME STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AND HAD TO CUT THE SEAT IN ORDER TO EXIT. THE OTHER TWO SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT EACH SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. UPDATED 10/12/11 *BF UPDATED 10/24/11

20 of 106 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20101000Routine
200565210Routine
200495230Routine
2003 — this page106590Routine
2002129590Routine
20012097192Fatalities reported
20005336497Fatalities reported
19997110Routine
19980100Routine
19971100Routine

Compare every Excursion year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 13, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.