MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford Excursion

● Typical for this model
2003 Ford Excursion
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:53:07.956Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
106
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 533 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 129 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 106 2004: 95 complaints 2005: 65 complaints 2005 2010: 1 complaint
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 533 complaints 2000 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 129 complaints 2002 2003: 106 complaints 2003 106 2004: 95 complaints 2004 2005: 65 complaints 2005 2010: 1 complaint 2010
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 533 complaints 2000 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 129 complaints 2002 2003: 106 complaints 2003 106 2004: 95 complaints 2004 2005: 65 complaints 2005 2010: 1 complaint 2010

2003: 106 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19980
19997
2000533
2001209
2002129
2003106
200495
200565
20101

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

27% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

At night, in fog, in driveway, I turned on high beams, defrosters, wipers and lowered driver window. A major silver electrical circuit in the fuse breaker box overheated melted and popped.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-27

At top of a hill I stopped completely and shifted to low gear, the wires in gear shift knob sparked loudly and began burning. Stopped car immediately, opened hood and disconnected battery. Overdrive indicator light harness is a shoddy design.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-27

Engine and engine cooling

25% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing diesel and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My 2003 Excursion had a major turbo failure while traveling on i-10 on 12-26-03. My family and myself were traveling to houston. The vehicle only had a total of 1,049 life to date miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-30

Also filed under Fuel system, diesel

Tires

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-10

Fuel system, diesel

7% · 7 reports
FIRE

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2003-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-02-18 Accelerator pedal sensor failure (Etc)
  2. I
    2004-02-23Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-10 Accelerator pedal sensor (Etc)
  3. R
    2004-07-22Electrical system04V327000 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.

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-10-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-02-15 Engine stalling
  5. I
    2005-02-15Engineering analysisClosed 2005-11-02 Engine stalling
  6. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  7. R
    2007-03-12Vehicle speed control07V078000 On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-12-29Engine and engine cooling07V553000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Ford Excursion — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V327000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 07V078000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 07V553000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford Excursion reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Excursion is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Excursion?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Excursion have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.