2003 Ford Excursion

2003 Ford Excursion 4-DR

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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.

Campaign: 11V352000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Campaign: 09V399000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Campaign: 07V078000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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.

Campaign: 07V553000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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.

Campaign: 04V327000

TIRES

My wife, two young daughters, and I were traveling out of town for the New Year. As we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina, I started to notice that the vehicle was starting to vibrate. Over the course of the next +\- 10 miles the vibration became much worse and eventually forced me to get off of the highway. I exited the highway at exit 103 on I-85 southbound (NC-109) and was able to get the vehicle to a National Tire and Battery Shop located at 2 Cloniger Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360. Upon inspection, they noticed a large bulge in the driver side rear tire and told me that they thought that I might have broken a belt inside of the tire. They were able to get it off and put on the full size spare, thus allowing us to get to our destination. I strongly believe that had I not exited the highway when I did, there was a high likelyhood that the tire could have blown thus causing us to crash. With that said, this failure put my entire family at risk. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The tire has only been inspected by the National Tire and Battery that took it off and replaced it with the full size spare. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The problem started they day of the incident as we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina. Tire Size - LT 265/75 R 16

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Excursion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension made an abnormal popping sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an air bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire which he linked to the suspension failure. The tire was not replaced. The contact also stated that after he replaced the radio inside the vehicle, the radio had become defective after the second day of installation. The contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the speakers. Upon investigation, he linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V327000 (Electrical System). Additionally, the contact also mentioned that the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop without warning. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and he informed him that the camshaft needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V553000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

STEERING

THE VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ISSUE. IT WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT MOSTLY BUT OCCASIONALLY TO THE LEFT. SO YOU SPEND THE ENTIRE DRIVE CORRECTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE ROAD. TOWING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE TRAILER TO GO IN TO A SNAKING MOTION BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION. THIS OCCURS WHEN EVER THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

SERVICE BRAKES

PAVEMENT WAS WET...CIT WAS DARK ....A CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY..MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO SKID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME..CAUSING REAR DAMAGE TO IT...MY AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY..WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH..BUT SEEMED TO INCREASE IN SPEED SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY SAFE DRIVING DISCOUNT ON MY ISTATE FARM INSURANCE...HAD TO PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM FOR 3YRS BECAUSE OF IT..I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN MY SAFE DRIVER DISCOUNT BACK CAN GET STATEFARM DOCUMENTATION LATER IF NEEDED

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INJECTOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,106. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO APPROXIMATELY 75-80 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.

ENGINE

FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK OFF AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE NOISE, EXHAUST ENTERS THE DRIVERS CABIN, VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAVE 4 FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT AROUND 50,000 MILES AND 48 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. FORD REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER ANY PORTION OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM LIFETIME EMISSIONS WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT, NOR THE 100,000 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I HAVE SPENT OVER $8000.00 MAKING REPAIRS TO THESE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. TRITON V-10 GAS ENGINE.

POWER TRAIN

THE 6.8 AND 5.4 ENGINES HAVE BEEN FAILING DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE TRAIN CAM FOLLOWERS. I AM HAVING THE 3RD ENGINE INSTALLED IN MY EXCURSION. THE CAM FOLLOWERS ARE FAILING AND SPITTING THEM OUT CAUSING CATSTROPIC ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANTHONY BARIANA WHO WORKS FOR HOLMAN DISTRIBUTION IN NEW JERSEY @ 1-800-521-1223 EXT 305 AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE 6.8 AND 5.4 ENGINES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY TRUCK AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. MT TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT MATTHEWS PAOLI FORD 610-644-4700 AND THE GENERAL MANAGER BRYAN LIPPINCOTT TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED 6 STATE FARM TRUCK ENGINES IN 2.00 MONTHS 6.8 LITER SAME AS MINE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING FROM WHAT I SEE DOING SOME RESEARCH BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE AND HAVE A FIX SO THIS WILL STOP COSTING CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I WAS DRIVING ON MY STREET AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE SO I SHUT IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER MATTHEWS FORD LOCATED IN PAOLI PA.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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 WHEN I SAW NO POWER. BY THEN IT WAS TOO LATE AND WE WERE GOING TO CRASH. I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR ABS AND I HIT THE CAR. IT CAUSED 12000 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ONLY BUMPER AND FOG LIGHT DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK THANKFULLY. AFTER THAT THE PROBLEM DIDN'T RE ACCUR UNTIL 2/2017 AND LEFT ME STRANDED OVER NIGHT ON THE ROAD AND NOW LAST NIGHT 5/13/2017 THE CAR WAS OFF NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND I SAW SMOKE THAT CAME FROM WHERE THE BATTERY SITS NOT SURE WHAT THAT WAS BUT ODD IT WAS. IT HAS NO RHYTHMIC PATTERN, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY FUSES RELAY AND FUEL PUMP, ALSO CHECKED CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SENSOR. IT HAS SPARK GAS AIR AND COMPRESSION. IT'S A VERY LARGE AND HEAVY DEATH TRAP WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY OTHER WISE I LOVE MY TRUCK AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED