FaultScore

Ford Excursion suspension problems

77 of the 1,385 complaints filed about the Ford Excursion are about the suspension — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.

77

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

Median failure at 96,200 miles

2000 Excursion 43 55.8%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

2001 Excursion 15 19.5%

Median failure at 55,500 miles

Median failure at 14,500 miles

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Median failure at 169,000 miles

Median failure at 100 miles

What owners said

2002 Ford Excursion Kalamazoo, MI

SUSPENSION

As I was driving the transfer case and drive shaft dropped out of truck. Broken bolts and no warning.

NHTSA complaint #11546512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 110,000 miles Bellflower, CA

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11436053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion at 134,000 miles Macdoel, CA

SUSPENSION

IT'S HAPPENED BE FOR BUT NEVER SO SCARY. WE WERE COMING DOWN ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS ON HIGHWAY 299. WE WERE,DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 55. AND AS WE APPLIED THE BRAKE IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. LIKE IT WAS GONNA GO OFF THE ROAD. IT ALSO WAS VIBRATING SO BAD IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. WE PULLED OVER CHECKED FOR LOOSE BOLTS. TIRE IMPERFECTIONS BUT NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10851524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 1,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

SUSPENSION

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 - TOWED AGAIN TO MY REPAIR PERSON, AND HE SENT IT TO A DIFFERENT DIESEL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT DIESEL IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE, THE INJECTORS AGAIN NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED PROPERLY, AND THAT THIS ENGINE IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING VERY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE, DOWN TO ONE FOR THE FAMILY, AND UNABLE TO AFFORD GETTING IT FIXED - AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10605255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion Detroit, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT

2000 FORD EXCURSION, UNIT 1 WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT AXLE BROKE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. VEHICLE CAME TO FINAL REST ON THE SOUTH SIDE SHOULDER. *BF THE LEFT FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN OFF, THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR TO THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE BUMPER WAS SLIGHTLY DENTED INWARD TOWARD THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0303-90)

NHTSA complaint #10409951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford Excursion at 169,000 miles EL Cajon, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STABILIZER BRACKET. CRACK WAS WELDED AND A GUSSET WAS APPLIED BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND FRONT AXLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 169,000. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRACK WAS THREE PLUS INCHES LONG AND IF NOT CORRECTED WOULD BREAK OFF AND CAUSE THE STEERING TO BECOME VERY UNSTABLE, THUS MAKING A SIDE LOAD HARD TO TURN, WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL. UPDATED 06/06/11

NHTSA complaint #10399648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford Excursion Marengo, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WE PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXCURSION WITH THE 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NOW 2 TIMES FOR THE BACK UP SENSOR, APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES FOR THE TURBO, UNABLE TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES FOR THE LACK OF POWER, THE VENT WINDOWS NOT WORKING, 3 TIMES FOR THE MOTOR ON THE POWER DRIVERS SEAT, BALL JOINTS 1 TIME, AND NOW OTHER FRONT END PARTS. THIS VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY USED TO GO TO CHURCH AND TRAVEL WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY ON THE WEEKENDS FOR DAY TRIPS. WE HAVE HAD IT TO GRAHAM FORD SEVERAL TIMES, GERMAIN FORD SEVERAL TIMES, (BOTH ARE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO) AND THE LAST PLACE WE HAVE IT IS DONLEY FORD IN MOUNT VERNON, OHIO. WE CAN GET A FULL HISTORY OF ALL REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE IF NEEDED. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY THINGS GONE WRONG WITH THE TRUCK THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR IS NOW TELLING MY WIFE TO "JUST TRADE IT IN". WE JUST WANT ALL OF THE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY AND FIND THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES/ISSUES/PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF JUST FIXING WHAT BREAKS AND NOT FIXING THE CAUSE. WE PAID 50,000 BUCKS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE START WAS WHEN WE WANTED TO GO TO MAINE AND COULD NOT TAKE IT BUT HAD TO TAKE OUR OLDER CONVERSION VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10244578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 78,500 miles Boiling Springs, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. HE WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVENTEEN THOUSAND MILES AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,500. UPDATED 03-04-08

NHTSA complaint #10209937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion at 74,000 miles West Union, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD PREMATURELY WORN OUT. THE OLD PARTS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GREASE FITTINGS AS WERE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10172925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion at 74,000 miles West Union, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD PREMATURELY WORN OUT. THE OLD PARTS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GREASE FITTINGS AS WERE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10172925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Excursion at 96,200 miles Marion, IN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE BACKING UP AND TURNING, THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 1999 FORD EXPEDITION FAILED. THE PIN ACTUALLY SHEARED OFF THE BALL. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 96200 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10165090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Excursion at 100 miles Hopewell Junction, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTACHING TRAILER TO THE VEHICLE THE SUSPENSION ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT. AFTER THE TRAILER WAS LOADED THE REAR SUSPENSION DROPPED SEVEN INCHES, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO RAISE SEVEN INCHES. THIS SHIFT IN THE SUSPENSION MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE TRAILER ATTACHMENTS IN USE WERE THE ONES RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TRAILER WAS ALWAYS LOADED WITH WEIGHT THAT WAS LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE PRODUCED AFTER THIS YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10145277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Excursion at 100 miles Hopewell Junction, NY

SUSPENSION:REAR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTACHING TRAILER TO THE VEHICLE THE SUSPENSION ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT. AFTER THE TRAILER WAS LOADED THE REAR SUSPENSION DROPPED SEVEN INCHES, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO RAISE SEVEN INCHES. THIS SHIFT IN THE SUSPENSION MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE TRAILER ATTACHMENTS IN USE WERE THE ONES RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TRAILER WAS ALWAYS LOADED WITH WEIGHT THAT WAS LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE PRODUCED AFTER THIS YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10145277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 60,000 miles Madisonville, TN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WANDERED INTO ANOTHER LANE. THERE WAS POOR STEERING RETURN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE TOOK THE SERVICE MANAGER ON A DRIVE, WHO AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS A DEATH TRAP, AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON EARLIER MODELS THAT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. SINCE THE REPAIRS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10142365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 60,000 miles Madisonville, TN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WANDERED INTO ANOTHER LANE. THERE WAS POOR STEERING RETURN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE TOOK THE SERVICE MANAGER ON A DRIVE, WHO AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS A DEATH TRAP, AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON EARLIER MODELS THAT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. SINCE THE REPAIRS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10142365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Ford Excursion at 79,000 miles Woodinville, WA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

MULTIPLE WARPED ROTORS. FAILED WHEEL BEARING WHICH BY FORD DESIGN ARE NOT SERVICEABLE. DEALER TOLD ME NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, YET CHARGED ME FOR WHT IS A DESIGN FLAW, A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, POSSIBLE LOCK UP. COMMON KNOWLEDGE ON WEB THAT GRESE LEAKES ON TO ROTORS CAUSING SLOW STOPPING, AND WARPING, AND YOU CAN NOT ADD GREASE.

NHTSA complaint #10111876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Excursion at 60,011 miles Roscoe, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. THIS VEHICLE HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP ON THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS HAD WORN OUT, AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF MOVEMENT WITH IN THE WHEEL. *AK DEALER REPLACED LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT. AND MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #10111475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion at 52,000 miles Monroe, MI

SUSPENSION

MY EXCURSION HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 8+ TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN 12-2002. THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION ARE THE TOP RECURRING PROBLEMS. I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO CONCLUDE ALL PROBLEMS. BRAKES HAVE BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES AT DEALERSHIP, I HAVE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY STOPPING, THEY FIND NO PROBLEMS. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN TELL WHEN MY MILEAGE IN IS THE SAME AS MY MILEAGE OUT. I DON'T THINK FORD WANTS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE, AND IN THIS HUGE VEHICLE IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR THAT TO OCCUR. WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS VEHICLE IS RECALLED. I AM AFRAID FOR MY AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY AND COMFORT, AND I AM AFRAID OF IT. I HAVE TRIED TRADING IT IN BUT WORD MUST BE OUT BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO GIVE ME ANYTHING FOR IT. WHAT DO MYSELF AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10100441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Excursion Everett, WA

SUSPENSION

2000 FORD EXCURSION HAS AN OCCASIONAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *MR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A CUT IN THE SIDEWALL WHEN THE CONSUMER FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VIBRATION THAT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR, WITH AN OCCASIONAL VIBRATION IN THE FRONT. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 55 AND CONTINUED UNTIL ABOUT 70. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE REAR TIRES AGAIN. THEY REBALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE. THEY FOUND THIS PROBLEM IN ANOTHER EXCURSION BUT WORSE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10079535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Ford Excursion at 23,000 miles Kansas City, KS

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES TIRES LOSE AIR PREMATURELY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10074236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Excursion problems