2003 Ford Excursion

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

THE INTER LIGHTS STAY ON ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER YOU TURN TRUCK OFF, THE LOW RANGE 4X4 WILL NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL YOU BACK UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING THE TRUCK OFF SHOWS BATTERY LIGHT THEN GLOW PLUG LIGHT SHUTS ENGINE OFF AND HAVE TO JUMP THE TRUCK THEN IT RUNS FOR 45 MINUTES AND JUMP IT AGAIN

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF AND MY TRUCK LOSES POWER AND IF YOU AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRUCK WILL CUT OFF. WHEN I TAKE TO THE SHOP THEY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD BUT IT MAY BE ABLE TO BE ON A RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SPARKED A FIRE AND THE WIRING OF THE SHIFTER BEGAN TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING INSULATION OF THE LEVER HAD WORN AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SILVER CIRCUIT BOX INSIDE OF THE FUSE BOX MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS DISCONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, A MODIFICATION HAD TO BE MADE TO BYPASS THE MELTING CURRENT BY PLACING AN EXTERNAL WIRE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

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. WIRE INSULATION WEARS THROUGH WHILE RUBBING WITH GEAR SHIFTER SELECTION. THERE IS NO ARMORING OR OTHER COVERING FOR THE THIN FLIMSY HARNESS WIRES.

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. FORD'S INCOMPETENT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S DESIGN CAUSES CIRCUIT BOARD SILVER CIRCUITRY IN FUSE BOX TO MELT, WHILE NO CIRCUIT BREAKERS MELT/WORK. THE CIRCUIT THAT MELTED ALSO CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOSE USE OF INDICATORS AND GAUGES IN THE DASH GAUGE PANEL, THE ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILS TO WORK AND VEHICLE DIES WITHIN A DAY, WITH NO WARNING, WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY. FORD HAS AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF FUSE BOXES FOR THE 2003 EXCURSION XLT 5.4L. FORD HAS NO REPLACEMENT FUSE BOXES TO SELL. PROBLEM IS SO COMMON ON THE INTERNET, I LUCKILY LOCATED THE LAST USED FUSE BOX IN THE COUNTRY, 1000 MILES AWAY FROM CA. FORD'S ONLY SOLUTION WAS A NEW FUSE BOX FOR A NEWER F150 COSTING $750 AND REQUIRING HUNDREDS OF MORE DOLLARS TO MODIFY IT FOR AN F250/F350/EXCURSION. THE MELTING FUSE BOX HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE YEAR AT $500 PER FAILURE. TECHNICIAN HAD TO PUT IN AN EXTERNAL BYPASS WIRE WITH ITS OWN EXTERNAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. NO MORE MELTDOWNS IN 2.5 YEARS. INCOMPETENT FORD ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN (NA), TIRE LINE: LT26575R16 LOAD RANGER E (NA) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION 6.0 LITER DIESEL, FIRST BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER WHO WAS WORKING ON RECALL ITEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM THE DEALER (DEALER NOW OUT OF BUSINESS). AFTER A WHILE THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER, BUT NOT STALLING WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY UP HILLS. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN PARTS, EGR VALVE ETC, IT WAS STATED THAT THE INJECTORS WERE BAD. ALL INJECTORS REPLACED. FRONT MAIN LEAF SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED - THE SPRING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, -THE REPAIR FACILITY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSIZED, AND THEY STOPPED MAKING THE ORIGINAL SPRING, BECAUSE TOO MANY WERE BREAKING. WE THEN AGAIN STARTED EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING - AT THIS TIME MY KIDS WERE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THIS WAS PARTICULARLY WORRISOME. MY REPAIR SHOP SENT THE VEHICLE TO A HEAVY TRUCK AND DIESEL REPAIR SHOP, SPECIALIZING IN AMBULANCES. AFTER CHARGING ME $3000 TO FIX MY PROBLEMS (VARIOUS PIECES AN PART RELATED TO THE ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, ETC), THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO OPERATE WELL. WHILE UP IN CLEVELAND FOR THANKSGIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY - . HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER, AND RENT A REPLACEMENT DURING OUR VACATION. THE DEALER SAID MORE OF THE FUEL/ENGINE ISSUES AND AFTER CHARGING ME ANOTHER $1500, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, SAME STALLING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WOULD SIMPLY STALL, AT LOW SPEED, HIGH SPEED, UNDER LOAD, OR NO LOAD - TOWED AGAIN TO MY REPAIR PERSON, AND HE SENT IT TO A DIFFERENT DIESEL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT DIESEL IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE, THE INJECTORS AGAIN NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED PROPERLY, AND THAT THIS ENGINE IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING VERY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE, DOWN TO ONE FOR THE FAMILY, AND UNABLE TO AFFORD GETTING IT FIXED - AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED AND PROVIDED ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY AND WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE 2003 MODEL EXCURSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THE 2004 MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE SEAT BELTS WERE FRACTURED, TWO IN THE MIDDLE ROW AND ONE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT HAD BECOME STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AND HAD TO CUT THE SEAT IN ORDER TO EXIT. THE OTHER TWO SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT EACH SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. UPDATED 10/12/11 *BF UPDATED 10/24/11