2001 Ford Excursion Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Excursion, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels5825.3%
- Engine5222.7%
- Transmission167.0%
- Suspension146.1%
- Brakes135.7%
- Electrical135.7%
- Driver assistance125.2%
- Steering93.9%
- Airbags62.6%
- Seat belts62.6%
- Visibility52.2%
- Body & structure52.2%
- Fuel system52.2%
- Interior & seats52.2%
- Powertrain (other)41.7%
- Exterior lighting41.7%
- Other / unspecified20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75R16 119/116R (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRES EXPLODED AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
COPPER TIRES DOMINATOR AT LT 305 70 16 PURCHASED FROM DISCOUNT TIRE 10-14-2005. THE VEHICLE A FORD 2001 EXCURSION HAD 86000 MILES ON IT. ON 11-24-2009 A BLOWOUT OCCURRED, RIGHT REAR TIRE. DAMAGING REAR TAIL LIGHT THE PAINT ON REAR DOOR AND REAR QTR PANEL WHEEL WELL TRIM DAMAGE RUNNING BOARD DAMAGE AND WHEEL DAMAGE. THE BLOWOUT SEPARATED THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE LEAVING THE BELTS EXPOSED. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE SPEED BEGAN TO REDUCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THREAD GAVE WAY ON THE MOTOR HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
#7 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. SPARK PLUGS WERE LAST REPLACED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER IN 2011. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS TO BE COMMON IN THIS ENGINE, V-10 6.8L.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION. AT LAST INCIDENT FLUID CAME OUT FROM UNDERNEATH, CAUSING IT TO IGNITE WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME THE GASKET SEAL OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH MAIN CENTRAL VALVE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER WENT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS WITH THE CONSUMER HOLDING ON, THROWING THE CONSUMER INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, CAUSING HIM TO SUSTAIN MULTIPLE INJURIES. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE WARPED ROTORS. FAILED WHEEL BEARING WHICH BY FORD DESIGN ARE NOT SERVICEABLE. DEALER TOLD ME NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, YET CHARGED ME FOR WHT IS A DESIGN FLAW, A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, POSSIBLE LOCK UP. COMMON KNOWLEDGE ON WEB THAT GRESE LEAKES ON TO ROTORS CAUSING SLOW STOPPING, AND WARPING, AND YOU CAN NOT ADD GREASE.
WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY VEERED TO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE COULD RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR $85; YET, THE CONTACT DECLINED THE TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 254,000.
2001 FORD EXCURSION 7.3L POWERSTROKE DIESEL WITH 114500 MILES : ABS CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING AND DISABLED ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY ON WET SURFACE. FAILURE IS PERMANENT IN NATURE AND CANNOT BE RESET, SO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. REPAIR REQUIRED IS FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER (COST EXCEEDS $500) AND OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Odometer Fraud. The contact was interested in purchasing a 2001 Ford Excursion at the dealer who advertised the mileage on the vehicle as 120,000 on Saturday, December 6th, 2025; however, the odometer showed a mileage of 116,000. While noticing the difference, the contact decided to research the VIN online and discovered that on January 20th, 2024, in Maryland, the mileage was recorded for the vehicle at the time of servicing at 212,820. The contact asked the dealer for clarity on the difference in the mileage; however, the dealer failed to provide an explanation. The dealer stated that no laws in the state of Utah were being violated where the vehicle was being sold and disconnected the call. The contact reported the issue to the NHTSA after discovering the discrepancy.
DROVE TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AROUND 7:30AM AND RETURNED HOME AROUND 7:45 AM ABOUT A HOUR LATER I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY NEIGHBOR THAT MY FORD EXCURSION WAS ON FIRE, THE FIRE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE EXCURSION WAS PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON MASTER CYLINDER IS FULL OF BRAKE FLUID INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE VIN NUMBER DOESN'T LINK TO A RECALL. PERHAPS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL OR PERHAPS THIS VIN WASN'T IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. IN ANY EVENT A FIRE HAZARD IS PRESENT.
ON SEPT. 29,2014I APPROACHED STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED BRAKES, ENGINE RPM INCREASED VERY HIGH AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE - HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM CONTINUE TO GO HIGHER - THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED THEN WE PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 2013 AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID TO PUT GAS STABILIZER IN TANK AS THE GAS IN TANK WAS CONDENSING AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION. I PUT THE GAS STABILIZER IN THINKING THIS WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THIS TIME , SEPT. 29,2014 AND THE TIME BEFORE, JUNE 2014 - IT REV UP SLIGHTLY , IT COULD NOT BE THE CASE THESE LAST TWO TIMES AS I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GAS IN IT. IT IS VERY SCARY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM GOING TO CALL FORD AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THIS TIME. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tie rod end broke in half. Tie rod fell to the ground
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THIS ACCIDENT COVERED MY 2001 FORD EXCURSION FROM THE CENTER FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED IN THE CRASH. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT SOME TREES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SEAT BELT UNLATCHES ON OCCASION AFTER BEING FULLY ENGAGED. SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL IN 2001. WE DID TAKE THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME FOR THE RECALL. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 EXCURSION AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT POPS FREE BY IT'S SELF SEVERAL TIMES DURING A COUPLE OF HOURS OF DRIVING. DEALER SAID IT WASN'T COVERED. I ALSO HAD THE WINDOWS & DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING BACK IN 2006. IT NEEDED A NEW GEM MODULE AND SOME FUSE PANEL WORK (DUE TO A LEAK IN THE WINDSHIELD SEAL FROM THE FACTORY). I FINALLY SAVED UP ENOUGH MONEY TO GET EVERYTHING FIXED-- ROUGHLY $1100.00. THE REP. FROM THE WINDOW COMPANY SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL LIKE THIS HIMSELF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY EXCURSION CRACKED ALONG THE BOTTOM FROM THE HEAT AND COLD ABOUT 3'' UP ALONG THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENED TO MY SONS 2001 F250 SAME WAY. THERE WAS NO REASON AS NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO SHUT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V258000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR) BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FACTORY PAINT PEELING. STARTED ON HOOD AND DOOR JAMBS, NOW ON ROOF. I CANNOT BELIEVE A GOVERNMENT AGENCY WOULD ALLOW PAINT TO PEEL AND CONTAMINATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
CONSUMER STATED, WHILE GETTING IN THE VEHICLE , AND AS SHE GRABBED THE HANDLE IT FELL AND CAUSED A A MAJOR INJURY. TS THE INSIDE HANDLE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. (MODEL XLT) SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPT. 29,2014I APPROACHED STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED BRAKES, ENGINE RPM INCREASED VERY HIGH AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE - HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM CONTINUE TO GO HIGHER - THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED THEN WE PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 2013 AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID TO PUT GAS STABILIZER IN TANK AS THE GAS IN TANK WAS CONDENSING AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION. I PUT THE GAS STABILIZER IN THINKING THIS WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THIS TIME , SEPT. 29,2014 AND THE TIME BEFORE, JUNE 2014 - IT REV UP SLIGHTLY , IT COULD NOT BE THE CASE THESE LAST TWO TIMES AS I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GAS IN IT. IT IS VERY SCARY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM GOING TO CALL FORD AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THIS TIME. *TR
THE APPROXIMATE DATE ABOVE IS THE FIRST TIME MY EXCURSION BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP IN PA. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BLOWN 2 MORE IN SEPARATE INSTANCES, THE MOST RECENT BEING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS PAST SUNDAY. THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS TOWING AND PUTTING MORE STRAIN ON THE ENGINE, BUT THE 2ND AND 3RD INCIDENTS NO TOWING WAS INVOLVED. I HAVE READ ABOUT AND SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THE FORD TRITON ENGINES ARE KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WIRES BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CUSHION, EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
EXCURSION WAS BOUGHT 7-01 APPROXIMATELY 3MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE HEAD LAMP SWITCH BROKE OFF. TOOK TRUCK INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD BE 190.00 TO FIX. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THAT THE 2000 MODEL EXCURSION HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM [NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V075/FORD RECALL NO. 01S09] THE PART NO. FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 HAS BEEN REPLACED. IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ME IF THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2000 EXCURSION AND THE 2001 EXCURSION ARE THE SAME THEN THEY BOTH SHOULD BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION THE PASSENGER FRONT AND SIDE DOOR DO NOT LOCK WHEN INTERNAL BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF IF THE BACK HATCH IS OPENED AND MOISTURE IS PRESENT. DRIVERS SEAT IS STUCK DOES NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK, MOTOR WORKS SEAT WILL NOT MOVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX AND A MOBILE TRAILER. THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG AND LEFT ANKLE WERE INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL AND ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION ABOVE 45 MPH UP TO 55 MPH. NOT SURE IF THE VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT OR NOT BUT IT HAS A DISTINCT VIBRATION. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH KNOB SNAPPED OFF. CALLED FORD PARTS COUNTER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS OCCURING A LOT IN 2001 MODEL EXCURSION AND F250 MODELS WHICH BOTH USE THE SAME SWITCH. EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS REQUESTING THE KNOB. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE 2000 MODEL EXCURSION HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM [NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V075/FORD RECALL NO. 01S09] THE 2000 MODEL AND THE 2001 MODEL APPEAR TO ME TO HAVE THE SAME HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS THE REACALL NOTIFICATION DID NOT START UNTIL MARCH 26, 2001. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
POOR PAINT JOB ,PAINT IS CRACKING DUE TO A DEFECT IN EITHER PAINT OR PRIMER
WHEN TOWING BOAT IN HOT WEATHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING FROM REAR SEAL. TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES TO REMEDY PROBLEM. HAVE NOT TOWED BOAT SINCE SO NOT SURE IF IT WILL RETURN. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .