The Used Car Index

2003 Ford Excursion problems

NHTSA lists 106 complaints for the 2003 Ford Excursion, 6 of them mention a crash and 9 mention a fire. 5 complaints mention an injury, with 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD EXCURSION.

At a glance

Complaints
106
With crash
6
With fire
9
With injury (complaints)
5
Injuries
7
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,500,000
Investigations
5
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
191

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2624.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2523.6%
TIRES1110.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC87.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL76.6%
STEERING76.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL76.6%
POWER TRAIN65.7%
SUSPENSION65.7%
ENGINE54.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING3
SUSPENSIONFRONT3
TIRESTREAD/BELT3
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS2
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

11V352000

Date: 2011-07-13. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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 REQUIREME (excerpt)

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

09V399000

Date: 2009-10-13. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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 OVERHEA (excerpt)

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V553000

Date: 2007-12-05. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V078000

Date: 2007-03-06. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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

Consequence: 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)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V327000

Date: 2004-07-07. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

5 investigations; 0 open.

DP05005

Opened: 2005-09-22. Closed: 2006-01-04.

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CY

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA05003

Opened: 2005-02-15. Closed: 2005-11-02.

ENGINE STALLING

IN A JUNE 7, 2005 LETTER, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 180,000 FORD F-SUPER DUTY, EXCURSION AND E-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES TO CORRECT TWO WIRING RELATED CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-270, FORD NO. 05S34).THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003 AND MAY 31, 2004.ACCORDI

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: 05V270000.

PE04070

Opened: 2004-10-07. Closed: 2005-02-15.

ENGINE STALLING

TWENTY FIVE OF THE ODI FAILURE REPORTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF FORD COMPLAINTS.TWENTY ODI REPORTS DO NOT CONTAIN A VIN (AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE DUPLICATIVE OF FORD REPORTS).THE 14 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 2 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE ALL MINOR.SUBMITTED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-070, FORD'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER CONTAINED ABOUT 5,000 CONSUMER REPORTS (MORS) AND 8,700 FIELD R

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA04006

Opened: 2004-02-23. Closed: 2005-02-10.

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)

FAILURE COUNTS FROM ODI?S ANALYSIS ARE STATED ABOVE; SEE THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM EXPERIENCE DISCUSSION IN THE SUMMARY REPORT.FORD DATA CONTAINED DUPLICATIVE REPORTS FOR 4 ODI COMPLAINTS AND 1 CRASH.THREE CRASHES WERE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) PEDAL, ONE CRASH OCCURRED WHEN AN ETC DISABLED VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER MOTORIST, ONE REPORT CONTA

Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE03044

Opened: 2003-09-26. Closed: 2004-02-18.

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE (ETC)

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR THIS INVESTIGATION INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 EXCURSION AND F SUPER DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES AND AN OPTIONAL POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDAL (PAP) FEATURE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES UTILIZE AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED AND POWER.THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OF THE ETC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED UNDER FORD'S FIELD SERVICE

Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

191 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING97
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
POWER TRAIN26
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
VISIBILITY7
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER6
EQUIPMENT4
STEERING3

10243490

Date: 2023-09-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and wi

10189008

Date: 2021-02-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This SKU is a Transmission Line. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the connector. The transmission line connector may have an incorrect thread size, which will prevent it from being installed.

10148818

Date: 2018-10-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.

10056196

Date: 2014-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

FORD: WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE AND/OR DURING 2-3 SHIFT, AN INTERMITTENT CLUNK OCCURS WITH A TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2003-2014 F-SUPER DUTY, E SERIES, EXCURSION, F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE

10055629

Date: 2014-02-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN.

FORD: ON SOME TRUCKS, THERE IS A NO CRANK SITUATION AND IF VOLTAGE ON TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AT PIN 21, IS LESS THAN 5 VOLTS, DISCONNECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH, ELECTRONICALLY, AND RECHECK VOLTAGE. MODEL 2003-2007 F SUPER DUTY, 2004-2010 E SERIES, 2003-2005 EXCURSION.

10034571

Date: 2010-06-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

FORD: RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, HARD START, NO START. SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, HARD TO START, NO START CONCERN WITH OR WITHOUT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0611 CODE OR VARIOUS INJECTOR CIRCUIT CODES. *PE

10030848

Date: 2009-12-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

FORD: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A P006A, P132, P0401 OR P0402 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) WITH A LACK OF POWER CONDITION, SURGE, OR TURBOCHARGER FLUTTER AFTER PERFORMING FIELD SERVICE ACTION (FSA) 06E17, OR AFTER RECALIBRATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE INFERRED EXHAUST

10030836

Date: 2009-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

FORD: MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH A TORQ SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN DRIVE, REVERSE AND PARK AND/OR DURING 2-3 UPSHIFT. MODELS F SUPER DUTY; E SERIES; EXCURSION; F53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS AND LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE

10028826

Date: 2009-06-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

FORD: SOME VEHICLES WITH DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE NO STARTS, HARD STARTS OR ROUGH RUNNING WHEN COLD AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0611, P1378 AND/OR ALL 8 INJECTOR CIRCUIT CODES. *PE

10028730

Date: 2009-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

FORD: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT ANY ONE OR COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS-LACK OF POWER, WHITE/BLACK SMOKE OR A SURGE. *PE

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
EXCURSION106

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2003

Sources

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