Total Complaints
240 filings
FORD EXCURSION · model year
240 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001FORDEXCURSION carries 240 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 20 fires, 14 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 EXCURSION is tires with 31 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (17) and tires:tread/belt (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2001 EXCURSION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
240 filings
Crashes Reported
19 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 31 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 17 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 14 |
| SUSPENSION | 10 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| ENGINE | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 |
| STEERING | 6 |
WHEELS:HUB
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM
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 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Odometer Fraud. The contact was interested in purchasing a 2001 Ford Excursion at the dealer who advertised the mileage on the vehicle as 120,000 on Saturday, December 6th, 2025; however, the odometer showed a mileage of 116,000. While noticing the difference, the contact decided to research the VIN online and discovered that on January 20th, 2024, in Maryland, the mileage was recorded for the vehicle at the time of servicing at 212,820. The contact asked the dealer for clarity on the difference in the mileage; however, the dealer failed to provide an explanation. The dealer stated that no laws in the state of Utah were being violated where the vehicle was being sold and disconnected the call. The contact reported the issue to the NHTSA after discovering the discrepancy.
Mileage: 212,820
Tie rod end broke in half. Tie rod fell to the ground
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught fire without warning. There were no reported injuries, police reports, or air bag deployments. The fire department and city employees extinguished the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Mileage: 135,000
CRUISE CONTROL CUTOUT SWITCH MOUNTED ON MASTER CYLINDER IS FULL OF BRAKE FLUID INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE VIN NUMBER DOESN'T LINK TO A RECALL. PERHAPS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL OR PERHAPS THIS VIN WASN'T IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. IN ANY EVENT A FIRE HAZARD IS PRESENT.
Mileage: 70,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75R16 119/116R (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRES EXPLODED AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Mileage: 147,000
DROVE TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AROUND 7:30AM AND RETURNED HOME AROUND 7:45 AM ABOUT A HOUR LATER I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY NEIGHBOR THAT MY FORD EXCURSION WAS ON FIRE, THE FIRE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE EXCURSION WAS PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE SPEED BEGAN TO REDUCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THREAD GAVE WAY ON THE MOTOR HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
#7 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. SPARK PLUGS WERE LAST REPLACED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER IN 2011. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS TO BE COMMON IN THIS ENGINE, V-10 6.8L.
Mileage: 146,846
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN
A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. WHILE I REALIZE THAT THERE WAS NO COLLATERAL DAMAGE THIS TIME, MY TRUCK HAS NINE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO IT AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER AND 4 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN 32 DEGREE TEMPS. HER CELL PHONE HAD DIED AND SHE HAD TO WALK TO A PHONE (CHILD IN TOW). THERE IS ENORMOUS PROOF THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH FORD ENGINES AND HAS COST CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR YET YOU CHOOSE NOT TO HOLD THEM LIABLE AND HAVE EVEN ALLOWED THEM TO COVER UP A PROBLEM. WHY? HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPARK.HTML HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/NEWS04/2007/05/FORD_TECHS_SPARK_PLUGS.HTML *JS
Mileage: 198,000
FACTORY PAINT PEELING. STARTED ON HOOD AND DOOR JAMBS, NOW ON ROOF. I CANNOT BELIEVE A GOVERNMENT AGENCY WOULD ALLOW PAINT TO PEEL AND CONTAMINATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.
Mileage: 198,000
THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE HEAD AND BLOW THE IGNITION COIL TO BITS. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 124,000
ON SEPT. 29,2014I APPROACHED STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED BRAKES, ENGINE RPM INCREASED VERY HIGH AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE - HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM CONTINUE TO GO HIGHER - THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED THEN WE PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 2013 AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID TO PUT GAS STABILIZER IN TANK AS THE GAS IN TANK WAS CONDENSING AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION. I PUT THE GAS STABILIZER IN THINKING THIS WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THIS TIME , SEPT. 29,2014 AND THE TIME BEFORE, JUNE 2014 - IT REV UP SLIGHTLY , IT COULD NOT BE THE CASE THESE LAST TWO TIMES AS I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GAS IN IT. IT IS VERY SCARY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM GOING TO CALL FORD AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THIS TIME. *TR
Mileage: 55,547
ON SEPT. 29,2014I APPROACHED STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED BRAKES, ENGINE RPM INCREASED VERY HIGH AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE - HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM CONTINUE TO GO HIGHER - THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED THEN WE PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 2013 AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID TO PUT GAS STABILIZER IN TANK AS THE GAS IN TANK WAS CONDENSING AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION. I PUT THE GAS STABILIZER IN THINKING THIS WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THIS TIME , SEPT. 29,2014 AND THE TIME BEFORE, JUNE 2014 - IT REV UP SLIGHTLY , IT COULD NOT BE THE CASE THESE LAST TWO TIMES AS I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GAS IN IT. IT IS VERY SCARY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM GOING TO CALL FORD AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THIS TIME. *TR
Mileage: 55,547
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX AND A MOBILE TRAILER. THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG AND LEFT ANKLE WERE INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL AND ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
DRIVER SEAT BELT UNLATCHES ON OCCASION AFTER BEING FULLY ENGAGED. SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL IN 2001. WE DID TAKE THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME FOR THE RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 177,842
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WIRES BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CUSHION, EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WIRES BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CUSHION, EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.