VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford Excursion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 240 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Excursion year — the 2001 model ranks #2 of 10 Excursion years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (58), engine (52), and transmission (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

240

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

7

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

14

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Excursion years?

Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Excursion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford Excursion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels5824%
Engine5222%
Transmission219%
Brakes177%
Suspension156%
Electrical System135%
Speed Control125%
Steering94%
Airbags63%
Seat Belts63%
Lighting52%
Other52%
Body & Structure52%
Fuel System52%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Seats31%
Latches & Locks31%

Does the 2001 Ford Excursion have recalls?

7 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.

01V227001Seat BeltsJuly 16, 2001 · 1,400,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 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.

01V082000AirbagsMarch 12, 2001 · 268 units

Defect

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

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION, OR A BURN INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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.

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. WHEN THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 10, 2004 · crash

“ON AUG 29,2008 MY 2001 FORD EXCURSION CAUGHT ON FIRE I WAS NEVER CONTACTED MY A FORD DEALER OR MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THERE WERE A RECALL ON FORD SUV MY SUV ARE TOTAL LOST DUE TO THIS FIRE AS I LOOK UNDER FORD FIRE RECALL THERE ARE A RECALL ON FORD SUV DUE TO FIRE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 29, 2008 · fire

“DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE UNDERSIDE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. DRIVER WAS DIRECTED BY OTHERS TO PULL OVER, AND FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · fire

“A CUSTOMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A SLOT TWO FEET FROM A WALL WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING LOUD AND TOOK OFF. HE SAID HE WAS ON THE BRAKE VERY HARD AND HAD A HARD TIME COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT A SIGN AND BUMPED INTO A WALL OF THE HANDICAP RAMP. TREAD MARKS WERE SEEN ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 14, 2002 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 55-60MPH VEHICLE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND BEGAN BOUNCING ERRATICALLY, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE IN LANE,AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL ONCE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE; 1ST INCIDENT 06/03/02, AND 2ND INCIDENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 3, 2002 · crash

2001 Ford Excursion — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford Excursion reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 240 complaints put the 2001 model at #2 of 10 Excursion years. It is one of the Excursion years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Excursion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (58 complaints), engine (52 complaints), transmission (21 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford Excursion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford Excursion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 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.