The 2000 draws 3.12 complaints per run and the 2003 1.44, a 2.2-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 61.4% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Tires, with 202 complaints, typically at 2.6 years.
Ford Excursion years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 58 | 36 | yes | |
| 2004 | 74 | 44 | yes | |
| 2003 | 89 | 62 | yes | |
| 2002 | 98 | 57 | yes | |
| 2001 | 163 | 84 | yes | |
| 2000 | 390 | 125 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2000 Excursion asks a median $6,995, against $9,999 for a 2001, the next model year: about 30% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 6 Ford Excursion years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2000, 2001, 2002; the three worth hunting are 2003, 2005, 2004.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 13.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 28.1% | covered | |
| 2 years | 38.6% | covered | |
| 3 years | 48.1% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 58% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 67.6% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 74.5% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 80.4% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 83.9% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 88% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 92.2% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 94% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 95.5% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 96.7% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 98.3% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 38.6% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 61.4% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 23% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Ford Excursion, the early trouble is Tires and Service Brakes — reported at around 2.6 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Engine And Engine Cooling at 5 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 2.6 yrs | 17 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 yrs | 1 | 11 | |
| Electrical System | 6.1 yrs | 2 | 29 | |
| Service Brakes | 2.3 yrs | 9 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 1.9 yrs | 6 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5.2 yrs | 9 | 23 | |
| Suspension | 1.3 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | 3.6 yrs | 4 | 3 |
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Excursion reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.21 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which Excursion years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2000, 2001, 2002. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2003, 2005, 2004. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Excursion problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Tires, typically at 2.6 years, followed by Engine and Engine Cooling.
Will the warranty cover Excursion problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 38.6% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 23% of the complaints here.
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