2004 Ford Excursion

● Typical for this model

2004 Ford Excursion
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:52:18.362Z

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

2004: 95 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1997	1
1998	0
1999	7
2000	533
2001	209
2002	129
2003	106
2004	95
2005	65
2010	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER , AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20050328

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE IN TRAFFIC, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190502

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%

24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing diesel and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

THE HOSE FROM THE TURBO TO THE INTAKE COOLER WILL BLOW OFF AND CAUSE PRESSURE LOSS. WHEN TOWING A TRAILER ON A HILL THE ENGINE TURBO SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE HIGH PRESSURE AND WILL BLOW THE HOSE CONNECTING THE TURBO TO THE INTAKE COOLER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120419

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120613

ENGINE 7%

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

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

CAR WAS SITTING, ENGINE RUNNING, IN PARK FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN SUDDENLY WITH NO ONE INSIDE, MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDOW OF A BUSINESS. THERE WAS A WITNESS THERE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191202

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20041007 — PE (closed 20050215)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050215 — EA (closed 20051102)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20050722 — electrical system

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.

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

Campaign 05V270000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

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

2004 Ford Excursion — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 05V270000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ● 2003 ● 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2001 ● 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford Excursion reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Excursion is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Excursion?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Excursion have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.