2005 Ford Excursion: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 65 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 terrifying to drive since it happens out of nowhere at random.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2025
“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”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2023
“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 similar to the recall 05s34 (NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000), but that's specific to diesel engines, and my truck has a gasoline engine.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 192,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“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 not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“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 and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2017
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford excursion. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 70 mph. The contact was able restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure could be related to the fuel injector. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 146,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford excursion. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 61,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“Car steers side to side and extremely difficult to keep within the lanes.you have to hold steering with 100 % concentration and constantly maneuver it to keep it straight.also tend to veer to the left.lot of steering play.”Owner report · Steering · May 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Excursion by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Ford Excursion reliable?
NHTSA has 65 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford Excursion. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Excursion problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford Excursion have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.