VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford Excursion electrical system problems

The 2003 Ford Excursion has 30 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 22% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

30

Electrical System complaints

22%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Excursion electrical system complaints by model year60 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 60 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 30 complaints2004: 24 complaints2005: 20 complaints
Excursion electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Ford Excursion have?

NHTSA has 30 complaints about the 2003 Ford Excursion electrical system — 22% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Ford Excursion electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 04V327000.

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.