2005 Ford Excursion problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (15) · Engine (7) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Excursion model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
59 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2011-07-13 · campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles
Defect: 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 EQU
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (82)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-09-07 · SSM 51909 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving mercon sp, mercon lv has replaced all versions of mercon sp and can be used going forward. mixing mercon lv and mercon sp in the same transmission is acceptable. after 30-jun-2023, mercon sp atf will no longer be manufactured and wi
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2014-05-01 · ASI-44534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: when shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a torqshift transmission. model 2003-2014 f-super duty, e series, excursion, f-53 motorhome chassis, low cab forward. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter 2014-02-01 · ASI-44404 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: on some trucks, there is a no crank situation and if voltage on transmission range sensor at pin 21, is less than 5 volts, disconnect the engine cooling fan clutch, electronically, and recheck voltage. model 2003-2007 f super duty, 2004-2010 e series, 2003-2005 excursion.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors 2010-06-11 · TSB-10-12-6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: runs rough, lacks power, hard start, no start. some vehicles and trucks equipped with 6.0l engine may exhibit a runs rough, lacks power, hard to start, no start concern with or without diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0611 code or various injector circuit codes. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2009-08-01 · SB-20937 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: multiple vehicles with a torq shift transmission intermittent clunk when shifting between drive, reverse and park and/or during 2-3 upshift. models f super duty; e series; excursion; f53 motorhome chassis and low cab forward. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 82 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-14 · Steering“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 te…”
2023-02-18 · Tires“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…”
2020-08-14 · Electrical System · 275,000 mi“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 simi…”
2018-02-26 · Engine · 135,000 mi“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 n…”
2018-02-07 · Engine · 192,000 mi“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 manuf…”
2017-07-21 · Power Train · 120,000 mi“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 a…”
2017-07-13 · Air Bags · 84,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 an…”
2016-11-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 88,000 mi“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, …”
2015-11-13 · Exterior Lighting · 130,000 mi“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.…”
2015-09-01 · Electrical System · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford excursion. the contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. the vehicle was able to start on the first attempt. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.