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2003 Ford ExcursionProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 106 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Excursion, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

2003 Ford Excursion
53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year11% below the Excursion median · #4 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10620 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 2, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Excursion has problems

106 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system269
Engine and engine cooling251
Tires101
Service brakes, hydraulic81
Vehicle speed control72
Fuel system, diesel71
Steering71
Suspension60
Power train60
13 other systems295

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2003 Ford Excursion recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 04V-327 · Jul 7, 2004 · 83,687 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

76kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 electrical system complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles15under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Excursion year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Excursion median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Ford Excursion safety ratings

2003 Ford Excursion 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Excursion, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)EA04006 · closed Feb 10, 2005
    No recall
  3. ENGINE STALLINGEA05003 · closed Nov 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-270
  4. ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE (ETC)PE03044 · closed Feb 18, 2004
    No recall
  5. ENGINE STALLINGPE04070 · closed Feb 15, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What Excursion owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TAMARA RECALL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED THE CARS POWER DOES 100% SHUT OFF. NO CODES OR WARNING LIGHTS. IN DEC/2016 DRIVING ON A ON A EAST ON CHARLESTON BLVD IN NV, AFTER PULLING OUT OF CIT BANK PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT 45 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND WHEN I WENT TO BREAK THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND THAT'S…
Complaint 10985529 · May 13, 2017
THE INTER LIGHTS STAY ON ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER YOU TURN TRUCK OFF, THE LOW RANGE 4X4 WILL NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL YOU BACK UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING THE TRUCK OFF SHOWS BATTERY LIGHT THEN GLOW PLUG LIGHT SHUTS ENGINE OFF AND HAVE TO JUMP THE TRUCK THEN IT…
Complaint 10981355 · Apr 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SPARKED A FIRE AND THE WIRING OF THE SHIFTER BEGAN TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 10745407 · Jul 31, 2015 · 140,000 miles

Own a 2003 Excursion?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.