VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Excursion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Ford Excursion sits mid-pack among Excursion years: 84 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 105, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (27% of the total).

84

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Excursion years?

Excursion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Excursion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Excursion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2327%
Electrical System2024%
Fuel System1315%
Transmission56%
Steering45%
Lighting34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Speed Control34%
Brakes34%
Airbags22%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Other11%

Does the 2005 Ford Excursion have recalls?

2 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.

05V270000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2005 · 180,104 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD EXCURSION DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 14, 2010 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND POWER TO THE HEADLIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, AND RADIO WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 13, 2005

“IN DECEMBER AFTER I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY. I DROVE HOME, AND WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF MY VEHICLE I STARTED TO SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR. EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK HALF WAY OR MORE, THEN DRIVE ANY. I START SMELLING A STRONG GAS ODOR. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM BETWEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 11, 2012

“THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 05' FORD EXCURSION SLIPS AND WHEN IT FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR, IT JERKS REALLY HARD. THE ELECTRICAL UNIT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN, THE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK NOR UNLOCK, THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON. WE HAVE HAD IT ON THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 4…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 20, 2005

“Several times I’ll be driving and the steering wheel will jerk in one direction and wobble violently I will grab it to correct it and basically fight to keep it in the lane so I have to pull over and try again. I checked all steering components had it looked at by a mechanic and cannot figure out…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 11, 2025

2005 Ford Excursion — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Excursion reliable?

It is close to typical for the Excursion: 84 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Excursion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (23 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Excursion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford Excursion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.