MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford Excursion

● Typical for this model
2003 Ford Excursion
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:28:53.475Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Excursion Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 533 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 129 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 95 complaints 2005: 65 complaints 2005 2010: 1 complaints 2010
2003: 106 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19980
19997
2000533
2001209
2002129
2003106
200495
200565
20101

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20150727

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, 20150727

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

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, 20031230

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 7 distinct reports on file.

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, 20031230

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20030926 — PE (closed 20040218)

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE (ETC)

I 20040223 — EA (closed 20050210)

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)

R 20040722 — electrical system

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. OWNE

Campaign 04V327000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20041007 — PE (closed 20050215)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050215 — EA (closed 20051102)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20070312 — vehicle speed control

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 05V017

Campaign 07V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071229 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 07V553000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — 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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110815 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Ford Excursion — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V327000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V078000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V553000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ● 2004 ● 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2001 ● 2002

See all years ranked →

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 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Excursion have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.