Ford

Excursion (1st)

2000-2005 · Full-Size SUV · 6 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.0)
1,151 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
91 Fire Reports
78 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

7.3-V8-Diesel

7.3L 8-cyl / 210 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.0)
51 complaints 12.8 per year Diesel
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
14
brakes
6
suspension
6
other
5
transmission
5

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (14 complaints)
Brakes Issues (6 complaints)
Suspension Issues (6 complaints)

5.4-V8-Gas

5.4L 8-cyl / 235 hp
Avoid (1.8)
97 complaints 16.2 per year Gasoline
16 fire reports
View details

7.3T-V8-Diesel

7.3L 8-cyl Turbo / 215 hp
Avoid (1.4)
200 complaints 40.0 per year Diesel
12 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
72
engine
31
cooling
30
electrical
24
brakes
19

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (72 complaints)
Engine Issues (31 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (30 complaints)

Ford Excursion Unidentified Engine

Avoid (1.3)
289 complaints 48.2 per year
16 fire reports 5 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
86
engine
53
cooling
46
electrical
31
brakes
29

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (86 complaints)
Engine Issues (53 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (46 complaints)

6.0-V8-Diesel

6.0L 8-cyl / 325 hp
Avoid (1.3)
134 complaints 44.7 per year Diesel
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
56
cooling
43
electrical
35
fuel system
25
other
11

Known Issues

Engine Issues (56 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (43 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (35 complaints)

6.8-V10-Gas

6.8L 10-cyl / 265 hp
Avoid (1.1)
377 complaints 62.8 per year Gasoline
40 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
101
engine
62
cooling
48
electrical
44
brakes
41

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (101 complaints)
Engine Issues (62 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (48 complaints)
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

5.9-I6-Diesel

5.9L 6-cyl / 210 hp
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

ISB

3.0L 6-cyl / 201 hp
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
brakes
1
suspension
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Ford Excursion regardless of engine variant.

Wheels & Tires Issues (290 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Engine Issues (233 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (189 complaints)
cooling critical
Electrical System Issues (147 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (97 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (12)

11V352000Jul 12, 2011serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

09V399000Oct 12, 2009serious
Vehicle Speed Control

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.

07E106000Dec 16, 2007serious
Wheels

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

07V078000Jun 2, 2007serious
Vehicle Speed Control

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

07V553000May 11, 2007serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

06V286000Jan 7, 2006serious
Vehicle Speed Control

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

05V270000Oct 5, 2005serious
Electrical System

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

04V327000Jul 6, 2004serious
Electrical System

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.

01V227001Jul 15, 2001serious
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

01V075000Dec 2, 2001serious
Exterior Lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL BY A SUPPLIER, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB CAN FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

01V082000Dec 2, 2001serious
Air Bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.

01V258000Aug 7, 2001serious
Visibility

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Alternatives in Full-Size SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2005 Ford Excursion problems?

The 2000-2005 Ford Excursion has accumulated 1,151 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Wheels & Tires, Engine, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Ford Excursion engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2005 Ford Excursion was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 7.3L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion a good used car?

The 2000-2005 Ford Excursion can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,151 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion have?

The 2000-2005 Ford Excursion has 1,151 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2005 Ford Excursion vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Ford Excursion?

Before buying a used Ford Excursion, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Wheels & Tires, Engine, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Excursion have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2005 Ford Excursion. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,151 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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