NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2010

Ford Excursion recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 1,146 owner complaints for the Ford Excursion, covering model years 1997 to 2010. The 2000 model year drew the most complaints (533), and Tires is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford Excursion VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

11 recall campaigns on file
1,146 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
10 model years with data (1997–2010)

most complaints: 2000 (533 for that model year)
top component: Tires (286 complaints)
latest recall 11V352000 (reported Jul 13, 2011)

79 complaints reporting a crash (6.9%)
91 complaints reporting a fire (7.9%)
45 complaints reporting an injury (3.9%)
6 complaints reporting a death (0.5%)

Ford Excursion complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2000 model year has the most complaints: 533 of 1,146, or 46.5%. Next come 2001 (209) and 2002 (129). The fewest are for 2010, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Ford Excursion complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Ford Excursion complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
1997	1	0	0	0	0
1999	7	0	1	0	0
2000	533	37	49	22	5
2001	209	17	19	9	1
2002	129	13	9	5	0
2003	106	6	9	5	0
2004	95	4	3	2	0
2005	65	2	1	2	0
2010	1	0	0	0	0
All model years	1,146	79	91	45	6

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford Excursion components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Tires is the component named most often, in 286 complaints (25.0% of all 1,146), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (198) and Electrical System (151).

Components named most often in Ford Excursion complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Ford Excursion complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Tires	286	25.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling	198	17.3%
Electrical System	151	13.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	101	8.8%
Vehicle Speed Control	78	6.8%
Suspension	66	5.8%
Power Train	60	5.2%
Steering	45	3.9%
Engine	44	3.8%
Structure	35	3.1%
Exterior Lighting	33	2.9%
Visibility	33	2.9%
Air Bags	31	2.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline	22	1.9%
Latches/Locks/Linkages	22	1.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford Excursion recalls

11 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Excursion, newest first. The 11 campaigns cover model years 1997 to 2005. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

11 recall campaigns

Ford Excursion recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
1990s								1997: 1 campaign	1998: 1 campaign	1999: 1 campaign
2000s	2000: 5 campaigns	2001: 6 campaigns	2002: 4 campaigns	2003: 5 campaigns	2004: 2 campaigns	2005: 2 campaigns

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 11V352000
Reported Jul 13, 2011
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Model years 2002–2005
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 09V399000
Reported Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
Model years 2000–2003
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through F-550 SD diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the Texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (SCDS). The SCDS may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence:
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy:
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the SCDS. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking SCDS, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 07V553000
Reported Dec 5, 2007
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Model years 1997–2003
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3L diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence:
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 07V078000
Reported Mar 6, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
Model year 2003
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Consequence:
Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. (Note: also see recalls 05V017, 05V388, and 06V286)
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 06V286000
Reported Aug 1, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
Model years 2000–2002
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Consequence:
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (Note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 05V270000
Reported Jun 10, 2005
Electrical System › Wiring
Model years 2004–2005
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 04V327000
Reported Jul 7, 2004
Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery
Model year 2003
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 6.0L diesel engines, the engine ground stud that attaches the negative battery terminal eyelet to the engine block may be loose.
Consequence:
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 which could result in a fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the engine ground stud and the radio suppression strap and adjacent components will be inspected for damage and replaced, if necessary. The recall began on July 23, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 01V258000
Reported Aug 8, 2001
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Model years 2000–2001
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; Kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; Kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; Michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
Consequence:
Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 01V227001
Reported Jul 16, 2001
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Model year 2001
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by TRW. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford Crown Victoria built at st. thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 Mercury Grand Marquis built at st. thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at Michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford F-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at Ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at Kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks built at Kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. Ford excursions built at Kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. Ford expeditions built at Michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began July 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 01V082000
Reported Mar 12, 2001
Air Bags › Frontal
Model year 2001
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module may have an inadequate weld near the igniter.
Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, the driver air bag may not deploy as intended, potentially resulting in reduced occupant protection, or a burn injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began March 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by Ford Motor Company

Show 1 more recall

NHTSA campaign 01V075000
Reported Mar 12, 2001
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Model year 2000
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. Due to the use of incorrect material by a supplier, the headlamp switch knob can fracture and separate from the headlamp switch.
Consequence:
This would cause difficulty for the driver to activate the headlamps, which could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the headlamp switch knob. Owner notification began April 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford Excursion questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Excursion have?

NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Excursion, covering model years 1997 to 2010. The most recent, 11V352000, was reported on July 13, 2011 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Ford Excursion model year has the most complaints?

The 2000 model year, with 533 of the 1,146 complaints in NHTSA’s file (46.5%). The next are 2001 (209) and 2002 (129). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford Excursion complaint?

Tires is the component named most often: 286 complaints, or 25.0% of all 1,146. Engine and Engine Cooling (198) and Electrical System (151) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Excursion?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford Excursion complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,146 complaints, 79 report a crash, 91 a fire, 45 at least one injury and 6 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.

Ford Excursion complaints by model year

Most-reported Ford Excursion components

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

Ford Excursion recalls

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control

Electrical System › Wiring

Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly

Air Bags › Frontal

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

How to read this recall list

Ford Excursion questions

How many recalls does the Ford Excursion have?

Which Ford Excursion model year has the most complaints?

What is the most common Ford Excursion complaint?

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Excursion?

How many Ford Excursion complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Other Ford models