VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford Excursion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2003 Ford Excursion sits mid-pack among Excursion years: 139 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 105, with 5 recalls and 5 closed investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (31), electrical system (30), and brakes (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

139

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Excursion years?

Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Excursion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford Excursion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3122%
Electrical System3022%
Brakes107%
Tires & Wheels107%
Fuel System96%
Speed Control75%
Steering75%
Suspension75%
Transmission64%
Body & Structure54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Seat Belts43%
Other32%
Lighting32%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2003 Ford Excursion have recalls?

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

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

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 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.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

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.

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.

07V078000Speed ControlMarch 6, 2007 · 155,584 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, 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)

04V327000Electrical SystemJuly 7, 2004 · 83,687 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY 2003 EXCURSION HAD A MAJOR TURBO FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 ON 12-26-03. MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WERE TRAVELING TO HOUSTON. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 1,049 LIFE TO DATE MILES. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 30 TO 45 MINUTES WE HEAR A LARGER POP NOISE AND A LARGE DROP IN THE ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 26, 2003 · fire

DRIVER USED CRUISE CONTROL ON TOLLWAY, GOT OFF TOLLWAY FIRE STARTED 1/4 MILE FROM EXIT. FORD EXCURSION V 10 GAS ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE GOT HOT CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. THE DIESEL ENGINES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON. THIS VEHICLE IS A LIMOUSINE/QVM. NHTSA CAMPAIGN #…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 6, 2008 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION WITH COPPER REPLACEMENT TIRES, MODEL DISCOVERY HT 265/70R/16. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CASING FRACTURED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE EXACT SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHERE THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 12, 2010 · crash

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND DRIVER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *AK (SECOND CONSUMER FOR THIS LETTER: CHRISTOPHER EROSION WALTERS) THE TIRES BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 19, 2004 · crash

MY 2003 EXCURSION HAD A MAJOR TURBO FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 ON 12-26-03. MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WERE TRAVELING TO HOUSTON. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 1,049 LIFE TO DATE MILES. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 30 TO 45 MINUTES WE HEAR A LARGER POP NOISE AND A LARGE DROP IN THE ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 26, 2003 · fire

2003 Ford Excursion — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford Excursion reliable?

It is close to typical for the Excursion: 139 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Excursion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (31 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford Excursion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford Excursion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Ford Excursion under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.