FORD Excursion Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD Excursion options? We analyzed 6 model years (2000–2005) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Excursion has 1,236 owner complaints and 27 safety recalls across model years 2000–2005. The most reported issue area is TIRES. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2005 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Excursion
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2005 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,236
- Safety recall campaigns
- 27
- Crash-related complaints
- 84
- Fire-related complaints
- 96
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (550 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2005 (65 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- TIRES
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
FORD Excursion: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe FORD EXCURSION has 1,236 NHTSA complaints and 27 recalls on record. 84 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,236 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 27 federal recall campaigns
- 84 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
27 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEELS:HUB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHEELS:HUB
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2005. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,236 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,236 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Several times I’ll be driving and the steering wheel will jerk in one direction and wobble violently I will grab it to correct it and basically fight to keep it in the lane so I have to pull over and try again. I checked all steering components had it looked at by a mechanic and cannot figure out what could be the issue. It is very dangerous and terrifying to drive since it happens out of nowhere at random.
LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS AND LOSES ALL POWER. I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY TO OFF, AND RESTART THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL (MANY) TRIES TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESTART. IT CAN GO 200 MILES WITHOUT KILLING, AND THEN KILL 5 TIMES IN 5 MILES. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL 05S34 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000), BUT THAT'S SPECIFIC TO DIESEL ENGINES, AND MY TRUCK HAS A GASOLINE ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT LEAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE CYLINDER AND THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (CHAPMAN FORD, 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, SHUT OFF, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (BUSS FORD, IN MCHENRY, IL) WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING CONTROL AT, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, 65 MPH AND RUNNING FRONT-END FIRST IN TO A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANK THEN BOUNCING OFF SAID BANK ROTATING THE VEHICLE, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, ROUGHLY 120-DEGREES THE FACTORY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN WITH THE SEATBELT ON MY CHEST, STERNUM AND RIBS STILL MANAGED TO EITHER BE INJURED BY THE SEATBELT (NO VISIBLE SEATBELT MARKS OR TRAUMA) OR BY IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. BASED ON THE FRONT END DAMAGE, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AND THE TRANSFER CASE ALONG WITH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVESHAFTS COMPLETELY DETACHING THE WRECKER/TOW COMPANY ALSO QUESTIONED WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SAID VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN ACQUIRED BY COPART AT THE REQUEST OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. PEOPLE REPOT IS AVAILABLE THOUGH THERE IS NO MENTION OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR NON-DEPLOYMENT.
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES NONRESPONSIVE AND SOON AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. IT WILL START BACK UP MOST OF THE TIME, BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL TAKE 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO RE-START. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS # 05S34. MY VIN INDICATES THAT MY EXCURSION ISN'T UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS EVENT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT DO TO THE VEHICLES HANDLING/BREAKING ISSUES WITHOUT POWER SO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY WITHIN SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES NEVER AGAIN DURING THE WEEKEND. IT ALSO IS NOT TIME OR DISTANCE RELATED. IT HAS HAPPENED LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND IT HAS HAPPENED 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. VERY SPORADIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
CAR STEERS SIDE TO SIDE AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP WITHIN THE LANES.YOU HAVE TO HOLD STEERING WITH 100 % CONCENTRATION AND CONSTANTLY MANEUVER IT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT.ALSO TEND TO VEER TO THE LEFT.LOT OF STEERING PLAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 9/22/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPARK PLUGS DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE HELICOIL WAS INSTALLED AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
6.0L DIESEL ENGINES TO ADDRESS REPORTED INCIDENTS OF ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED UP TO 9 TIMES IN ONE DAY. ON JUNE 25 TOOK VEHICLE TO CERTIFIED DIESEL TECH, NO COMPUTER ERRORS. D & S SERVICE TECHS TROUBLE SHOT FOR 5 DAYS TO NO AVAIL. MANUFACTURE HAS NO ADVICE FOR REPAIR. AFTER 1 WEEK BEING SERVICED AND OVER $1,800 OF WORK IT STALLED AGAIN ON JULY 3RD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP IN ADDRESSING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,165.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT BOTH OF THE BATTERIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,900.
WHILE TOWING A CAMPER, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ABOUT 4 HOURS INTO THE TRIP. THE TRUCK AND TRAILER HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO FORD AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS COMMON WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINES. HE STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAD BOLTS STRETCHING. HE REPAIRED IT, BUT, TOLD ME I WOULD BE BACK AGAIN UNLESS I PURCHASED ARP RACING HEAD BOLTS($600). I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND HE WAS CORRECT. I PROVIDED THE BOLTS AND FORD DID THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2008, THE EGR COOLER/OIL COOLER RUPTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY). IN 2009, THE FICM MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, FORD WANTED $700 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR. IN 2010, THE EGR COOLER/OIL COOLER RUPTURED AGAIN. SINCE THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $4000 TO REPAIR. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AGAIN AND FOUND THE WHOLE EGR DESIGN WAS FLAWED. I PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET DESIGNED COOLER AND, SINCE THEN, HAVE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INJECTOR PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
Showing 20 of 1,236 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD Excursion
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Excursion, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Excursion has 1,236 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Excursion has 27 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 84 of the FORD Excursion's 1,236 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Excursion vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Excursion vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Excursion has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a FORD Excursion by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD Excursion.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
FORD Excursion reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD Excursion reliable?
Poor. The FORD Excursion has 1,236 NHTSA owner complaints and 27 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is TIRES. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD Excursion years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (550 complaints), 2001 (206 complaints), 2002 (174 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD Excursion problems?
Top reported issues: TIRES (297 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (202 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (164 complaints).
Does the FORD Excursion have recalls?
Yes — 27 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD Excursion. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.