FORD EXCURSION · model year

2005 FORD EXCURSION

84 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005FORDEXCURSION carries 84 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 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 2005 EXCURSION is electrical system with 19 filings, followed by engine (9) and fuel system, diesel (6). 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 2 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 2005 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.

84
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

84 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
ENGINE9
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
STEERING4
POWER TRAIN3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS2

Recalls (2)

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 TH

05V27000010/06/2005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

Recent Complaints

20250814STEERING

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.

20230218TIRES

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

20200814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 275,000

20180226ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 135,000

20180207ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 192,000

20170721POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20170721ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20170713CrashAIR BAGS

DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING CONTROL AT, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, 65 MPH AND RUNNING FRONT-END FIRST IN TO A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANK THEN BOUNCING OFF SAID BANK ROTATING THE VEHICLE, AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE ACCIDENT REPORT, ROUGHLY 120-DEGREES THE FACTORY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN WITH THE SEATBELT ON MY CHEST, STERNUM AND RIBS STILL MANAGED TO EITHER BE INJURED BY THE SEATBELT (NO VISIBLE SEATBELT MARKS OR TRAUMA) OR BY IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. BASED ON THE FRONT END DAMAGE, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AND THE TRANSFER CASE ALONG WITH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVESHAFTS COMPLETELY DETACHING THE WRECKER/TOW COMPANY ALSO QUESTIONED WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SAID VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN ACQUIRED BY COPART AT THE REQUEST OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. PEOPLE REPOT IS AVAILABLE THOUGH THERE IS NO MENTION OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR NON-DEPLOYMENT.

Mileage: 84,000

20161114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES NONRESPONSIVE AND SOON AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. IT WILL START BACK UP MOST OF THE TIME, BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL TAKE 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO RE-START. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS # 05S34. MY VIN INDICATES THAT MY EXCURSION ISN'T UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS EVENT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT DO TO THE VEHICLES HANDLING/BREAKING ISSUES WITHOUT POWER SO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY WITHIN SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES NEVER AGAIN DURING THE WEEKEND. IT ALSO IS NOT TIME OR DISTANCE RELATED. IT HAS HAPPENED LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND IT HAS HAPPENED 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. VERY SPORADIC

Mileage: 88,000

20161114FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES NONRESPONSIVE AND SOON AFTER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN, COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. IT WILL START BACK UP MOST OF THE TIME, BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL TAKE 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO RE-START. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THIS # 05S34. MY VIN INDICATES THAT MY EXCURSION ISN'T UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS EVENT HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT DO TO THE VEHICLES HANDLING/BREAKING ISSUES WITHOUT POWER SO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY WITHIN SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES NEVER AGAIN DURING THE WEEKEND. IT ALSO IS NOT TIME OR DISTANCE RELATED. IT HAS HAPPENED LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND IT HAS HAPPENED 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. VERY SPORADIC

Mileage: 88,000

20151113EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20150901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20150612ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 146,000

20150612FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 146,000

20150605ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 61,000

20150516STEERING

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.

Mileage: 68,860

20150504ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 9/22/2015 *JS

Mileage: 150,000

20150504ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 9/22/2015 *JS

Mileage: 150,000

20141112ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPARK PLUGS DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE HELICOIL WAS INSTALLED AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20140703ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

6.0L DIESEL ENGINES TO ADDRESS REPORTED INCIDENTS OF ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED UP TO 9 TIMES IN ONE DAY. ON JUNE 25 TOOK VEHICLE TO CERTIFIED DIESEL TECH, NO COMPUTER ERRORS. D & S SERVICE TECHS TROUBLE SHOT FOR 5 DAYS TO NO AVAIL. MANUFACTURE HAS NO ADVICE FOR REPAIR. AFTER 1 WEEK BEING SERVICED AND OVER $1,800 OF WORK IT STALLED AGAIN ON JULY 3RD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP IN ADDRESSING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 107,954

Compare 2005FORDEXCURSION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 FORD EXCURSION have?
The 2005 FORD EXCURSION has 84 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 FORD EXCURSION?
Yes, the 2005 FORD EXCURSION has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 FORD EXCURSION?
The most-complained component for the 2005 FORD EXCURSION is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.
Is the 2005 FORD EXCURSION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.