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2004 Ford ExcursionProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 95 owner complaints about the 2004 Ford Excursion, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2004 Ford Excursion
59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year31% below the Excursion median · #5 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints959 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage61kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 12, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Ford Excursion has problems

95 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
Engine and engine cooling220
Electrical system212
Vehicle speed control91
Power train72
Engine70
Tires60
Visibility51
Fuel system, gasoline50
Fuel system, diesel40
13 other systems332

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

2 recalls

2004 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.

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.

Best & worst years

2004 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Ford Excursion, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE STALLINGEA05003 · closed Nov 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-270
  3. ENGINE STALLINGPE04070 · closed Feb 15, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What Excursion owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE HOSE FROM THE TURBO TO THE INTAKE COOLER WILL BLOW OFF AND CAUSE PRESSURE LOSS. WHEN TOWING A TRAILER ON A HILL THE ENGINE TURBO SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE HIGH PRESSURE AND WILL BLOW THE HOSE CONNECTING THE TURBO TO THE INTAKE COOLER. THE VEHICLE ENDS UP WITHOUT POWER, MAKING THE SITUATION EXTREMELY…
Complaint 10455772 · Apr 19, 2012 · 74,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CREATE A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10427736 · Sep 28, 2011 · 81,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, HE WAS INFORMED WATER WAS LEAKING AROUND THE EGR COOLER AND ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUES.…
Complaint 10355679 · Sep 15, 2010 · 95,000 miles

Own a 2004 Excursion?

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