VehicleVerdict

2000 Ford Excursion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 635 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.1 times the median Excursion year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 10 Excursion years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 7 deaths and 52 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 194 reports (31% of the total).

635

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

7

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

56

Fires reported

52

Injuries

7

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Excursion years?

Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted635 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 635 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 150 complaints2003: 139 complaints2004: 125 complaints2005: 84 complaints2010: 1 complaints
Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Excursion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Ford Excursion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels19431%
Brakes7512%
Engine6911%
Electrical System609%
Suspension437%
Speed Control305%
Transmission203%
Lighting193%
Airbags183%
Body & Structure183%
Visibility & Wipers183%
Steering173%
Latches & Locks152%
Other142%
Seats122%
Fuel System71%
Seat Belts41%
Driver Assistance10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2000 Ford Excursion have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

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.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

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 OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

01V258000Visibility & WipersAugust 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V075000LightingMarch 12, 2001 · 74,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS WOULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY FOR THE DRIVER TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

A DRIVERS FRONT FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT TIRE, ON A 2000 FORD EXCURSION EXPLODED ON JULY 7, 2002 ON I-95 IN WALTERBORO, SC. MY GIRLFRIEND AGNES AND A GOOD FRIEND DAVE WERE KILLED, DAVES 11 YR OLD SON MAX SUFFERED A SEVERLY BROKEN RIGHT FEMER, DAVES WIFE, CHERYL HAD SEVERAL DEEP CUTS AND SCRAPES I HAVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 7, 2002 · crash

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END VIBRATED. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED OR RESURFACED BRAKE ROTORS EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDERHOOD AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. MINOR FIRE DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 6, 2006 · fire

ELECTRICAL HARNESS (WHICH INCLUDES THE CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, ETC) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED.WE WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE BURNED OUT PARTS. I WENT BACK RECENTLY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO ASK IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT EXCURSIONS WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS JUST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2004 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 14, 2006

2000 Ford Excursion — common questions

Is the 2000 Ford Excursion reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 635 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 10 Excursion years. It is one of the Excursion years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Excursion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (194 complaints), brakes (75 complaints), engine (69 complaints).

Does the 2000 Ford Excursion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Ford Excursion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Ford Excursion under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Excursion years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Excursion years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Excursion years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.