2005 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 2005 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
- Engine2328.0%
- Electrical2024.4%
- Fuel system1214.6%
- Steering44.9%
- Exterior lighting33.7%
- Powertrain (other)33.7%
- Driver assistance33.7%
- Brakes33.7%
- Transmission22.4%
- Body & structure22.4%
- Other / unspecified22.4%
- Airbags22.4%
- Tires & wheels22.4%
- Suspension11.2%
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
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 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT LEAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE CYLINDER AND THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (CHAPMAN FORD, 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS AND LOSES ALL POWER. I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY TO OFF, AND RESTART THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL (MANY) TRIES TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESTART. IT CAN GO 200 MILES WITHOUT KILLING, AND THEN KILL 5 TIMES IN 5 MILES. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL 05S34 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000), BUT THAT'S SPECIFIC TO DIESEL ENGINES, AND MY TRUCK HAS A GASOLINE ENGINE.
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES NONRESPONSIVE AND SOON AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. IT WILL START BACK UP MOST OF THE TIME, BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL TAKE 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO RE-START. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS # 05S34. MY VIN INDICATES THAT MY EXCURSION ISN'T UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS EVENT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT DO TO THE VEHICLES HANDLING/BREAKING ISSUES WITHOUT POWER SO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY WITHIN SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES NEVER AGAIN DURING THE WEEKEND. IT ALSO IS NOT TIME OR DISTANCE RELATED. IT HAS HAPPENED LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND IT HAS HAPPENED 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. VERY SPORADIC
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES NONRESPONSIVE AND SOON AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. IT WILL START BACK UP MOST OF THE TIME, BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL TAKE 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO RE-START. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS # 05S34. MY VIN INDICATES THAT MY EXCURSION ISN'T UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS EVENT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT DO TO THE VEHICLES HANDLING/BREAKING ISSUES WITHOUT POWER SO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY WITHIN SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES NEVER AGAIN DURING THE WEEKEND. IT ALSO IS NOT TIME OR DISTANCE RELATED. IT HAS HAPPENED LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND IT HAS HAPPENED 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. VERY SPORADIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 what could be the issue. It is very dangerous and terrifying to drive since it happens out of nowhere at random.
CAR STEERS SIDE TO SIDE AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP WITHIN THE LANES.YOU HAVE TO HOLD STEERING WITH 100 % CONCENTRATION AND CONSTANTLY MANEUVER IT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT.ALSO TEND TO VEER TO THE LEFT.LOT OF STEERING PLAY.
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 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE OWNER AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
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 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, SHUT OFF, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (BUSS FORD, IN MCHENRY, IL) WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INJECTOR PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INJECTOR PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH OUR EXCURSION DATING BACK TO ONE WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2009 UNTIL NOW - SEPT. 2012. WE BEGAN EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST WEEK. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THEY REPLACED THE IPR AND FUEL PUMP. THIS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL JANUARY 2011. IN JANUARY 2011, THE ACCELERATOR BEGAN FAILING AGAIN. IT WOULD JUST STOP WORKING. THE CAR WOULD CRANK INITIALLY AND THEN FAIL TO RECRANK IF TURNED OFF WITHIN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME (I.E. DRIVING TO THE STORE). WE WERE TOLD THAT WE NEEDED A NEW FUEL SENSOR. THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WE THEN HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING IN AFTERNOON TRAFFIC WITH MY CHILDREN, EVERYTHING ONCE AGAIN SHUT OFF. I BARELY MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAN NOT EVEN COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION ONLY TO HAVE MY ACCELERATOR NOT WORK. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN MORE EXTREME. TODAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL THAT TOOK PLACE FOR THE SAME MODEL/YEAR, BUT ACCORDING TO THE FORD PEOPLE, MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY MERGING ONTO ANOTHER FREEWAY WHEN THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STALLED. THERE WERE NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART. WE HAD FOUR CHILDREN WITH US, THREE OF THEM SMALL AND IN CAR SEATS. WE HAD TO TRANSFER THE CHILDREN INTO A TOW TRUCK WITH MOVING TRAFFIC ON BOTH SIDES OF US. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT CAUSING MAJOR TRAUMA OR DEATH. FICM IS GOOD, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP. THIS 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH PICK-UPS AND VANS, BUT NOT THE EXCURSION. *TR
EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE METAL FAILURE, BRAKES NOT WORKING. BRAKE SHOE PINS PULLED THROUGH THE BACKING PLATE THAT HOLD THE BRAKES IN PLACE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE METAL... THE FORD SERVICE MGR., AND THE FORD FACTORY REP. SAID SINCE THE WARRANTY IS OVER, THERE IS NOTING THAT CAN BE DONE. THE FORD PARTS COUNTER PERSON STATED FORD FACTORY CAME OUT WITH A REVISED AND STRONGER METAL REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE SINCE THE ORIGINAL BACKING PLATES WERE INSTALLED IN EXCURSIONS, EXPLORER SUV, AND ALL OF THE PICK UP TRUCKS. PLEAS LOOK INTO THIS SEVERE SAFETY FAILURE OF BRAKES. THERE SOLED BE A RECALL FOR BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL PARTS TO CONFIRM MY CLAIM.. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING AND THEN SUDDENLY THE 2005 FORD EXCURSION BEGINS TO STALL, PARKED THE FORD, AND THAN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
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 DIFFERENT TIMES AND IT STILL IS NOT REPAIR, WE STILL HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS. *NM
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
BUBBLING AND RUSTING OF PAINT OFF ROOF OF TRUCK. *TR
DT: PURCHASED THE UNIT IN AUGUST AND THE FRAME WAS BENT. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND RECEIVED A NEW ONE. THE FRAME ON THIS UNIT IS COCKED AND IS GOING. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CABINETS TO COME LOOSE, AND THE CABINETS ARE CURRENTLY GETTING REPAIRED. CONSUMER CONTACTED SUNRISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. THE BEND WASN'T AS BAD WHEN CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT'S GOING FROM FRONT TO BACK. *AK
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
2005 FORD EXCURSION, VEHICLE LOST ITS LEFT FRONT WHEEL. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED NEW TIRES HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF APRIL 2008. THE POLICE REPORT STATED ALL OF THE LUG NUT STUDS WERE INTACT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0604-91. *JB UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF
DT: PURCHASED THE UNIT IN AUGUST AND THE FRAME WAS BENT. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND RECEIVED A NEW ONE. THE FRAME ON THIS UNIT IS COCKED AND IS GOING. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CABINETS TO COME LOOSE, AND THE CABINETS ARE CURRENTLY GETTING REPAIRED. CONSUMER CONTACTED SUNRISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. THE BEND WASN'T AS BAD WHEN CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT'S GOING FROM FRONT TO BACK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING CONTROL AT, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, 65 MPH AND RUNNING FRONT-END FIRST IN TO A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANK THEN BOUNCING OFF SAID BANK ROTATING THE VEHICLE, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, ROUGHLY 120-DEGREES THE FACTORY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN WITH THE SEATBELT ON MY CHEST, STERNUM AND RIBS STILL MANAGED TO EITHER BE INJURED BY THE SEATBELT (NO VISIBLE SEATBELT MARKS OR TRAUMA) OR BY IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. BASED ON THE FRONT END DAMAGE, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AND THE TRANSFER CASE ALONG WITH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVESHAFTS COMPLETELY DETACHING THE WRECKER/TOW COMPANY ALSO QUESTIONED WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SAID VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN ACQUIRED BY COPART AT THE REQUEST OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. PEOPLE REPOT IS AVAILABLE THOUGH THERE IS NO MENTION OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR NON-DEPLOYMENT.
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2005 FORD EXCURSION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A MINIVAN PULLED OUT FROM A STOP SIGN AND I HIT HER IN THE SIDE. ALL OF THE VAN'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT MINE DID NOT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED USED IN MAY OF 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH NEW BCT RADIAL A/P LT265/75R16 TIRES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ONE OF THE TIRES WAS FOUND TO BE OUT OF ROUND AND WAS REPLACED WITH A BF GOODRICH TIRE. NOW 13 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE ONE OF THE OTHER BCT TIRES HAS SIDEWALL SEPARATION IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. I AM NOW REPLACING ALL OF THE BCT TIRES TO PREVENT A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTACHING TRAILER TO THE VEHICLE THE SUSPENSION ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT. AFTER THE TRAILER WAS LOADED THE REAR SUSPENSION DROPPED SEVEN INCHES, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO RAISE SEVEN INCHES. THIS SHIFT IN THE SUSPENSION MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE TRAILER ATTACHMENTS IN USE WERE THE ONES RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TRAILER WAS ALWAYS LOADED WITH WEIGHT THAT WAS LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE PRODUCED AFTER THIS YEAR.*AK
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 .