2004 Ford EXCURSION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
95 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
82,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 95 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 27 | 28.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 14.7% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 11.6% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
Electrical System: 10; Electrical System:Wiring: 8; Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Fuel System, Diesel: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 11
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2003: 1; 2004: 10; 2005: 14; 2006: 4; 2007: 7; 2008: 8; 2009: 7; 2010: 9; 2011: 7; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10081689 · 2004-08-04 (August 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS N SEVERAL OCCASION AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE EVEN STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE VEHICLE BUT IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,049 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082665 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
PURCHASED NEW 2004 FORD EXCURSION ON 3/9/2004. WITHIN A MONTH WE DISCOVERED A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN GOING DOWN HILL, THE UNIT WOULD FAIL TO RE-ENGAGE AS IT STARTED BACK UP THE HILL. SOMETIMES IT WOULD RE-ENGAGE WITH A MASSIVE SURGE OF ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE TOTALLY STALLED FORCING US TO FIGHT THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. AFTER THREE RETURNS TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND FORD IS WORKING ON DETERMINING A FIX. WE HAVE BEEN CALLING AND WAITING SINCE APRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132840 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
DT: THE CALLER HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON HIS VEHICLE AND IT IS RUNNING WORSE THAN BEFORE. RECEIVED RECALL 05S34 CONCERNING INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS. NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS THAT IT DID NOT HAVE BEFORE THE RECALL. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ENGINE IS COLD/HESITATES AND SURGES WHILE ACCELERATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES SINCE JULY 19, 2005, AND IS NOW WAS TAKING IT TO THEM AGAIN. MANUFACTURER CAN NOT BE REACHED. *AK THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE MAY HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE ENGINEER…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203959 · 2007-09-24 (September 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 AND 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3-4 HOURS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY FOR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE STALLING BEGAN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE, BUT DIMMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND TO A MECHANIC ANOTHER TWO TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. NHTSA CAM…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096995 · 2004-11-10 (November 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED WITH SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. *NM THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 2,248 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110232 · 2005-02-10 (February 10, 2005)
MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE WILL SURGE AND STALL. SOMETIMES BOTH THINGS WILL HAPPEN ON A GIVEN DAY OR JUST ONE. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE STALL COMING TO A STOP AND OR DRIVING. MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAS SURGED AND CAUSED MY CAR TO MOVE EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM THAT FORD CAN NOT FIX. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060741 · 2004-03-08 (March 8, 2004)
MY 2004 FORD EXCURSION 4X4 WITH THE 6.0 PSD HAS APPROX. 1/2" CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT SPRINGS AND THE SPRING BUMP STOP. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS ABOUT 1". THE ONLY ALLOWS THE SUSPENSION TO TRAVEL 1/2" AND 1". DURING NORMAL DRIVING IT WILL VERY OFTEN BOTTOM OUT ONTO THE 3" RUBBER BUMP STOPS PUTTING THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUCK BOUNCING ON THE AXLES AND TIRES. DURING NORMAL DRIVING, WHEN IT BOTTOMS OUT, STEERING CONTROL IS MINIMAL AS THE SHOCK TO THE VEHICLE IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE SHOCK OF THE WEIGHT IS PRIMARILY ON THE TIRES. THE DEALER HAS L…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10060741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167628 · 2006-09-08 (September 8, 2006)
I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 FORD EXCURSION. THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND MAY OF 2005 THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 15000 MILES ON IT. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR SHORT TRIP, EVERY TIME I USED THE BRAKES, THE WHOLE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE DEALER MACHINED THE ROTORS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. NOW IT HAS 38000 MILES AND IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. IT'S SO BAD THAT YOU FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME YOU BRAKE YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. I DON'T THINK THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE TRUCK ARE UP TO STANDARDS. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T HELP DUE TO THE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,888 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274562 · 2009-06-21 (June 21, 2009)
VEHICLE WILL NOT GET FUEL. ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND CAR EITHER WILL NOT MOVE OR DIES. FOURTH TIME VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS. OCCURS EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS. VEHICLE IS 6.0 2004 XLT DIESEL EXCURSION. EGR VALVE AND FICM MODULE, RIGHT BANK OF INJECTORS REPLACED FEBRUARY 2009. MAY 2009 VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN AND EGR VALVE REPLACED AGAIN AND FICM REPROGRAMMED AGAIN. VEHICLE IS WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. HOWEVER, BOTH BANKS OF INJECTORS, FICM MODULE, EGR VALVE X 3, HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP, IPR VALVE, FUEL PUMP REGULATOR ALL REPLACED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329112 · 2010-05-06 (May 6, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED RUST AND CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY, INCLUDING THE AXLE. THE GAS TANK AND SUPPORTING BRACKETS WERE ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CORROSION WAS EXTREMELY SEVERE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114355 · 2005-03-20 (March 20, 2005)
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXCURSION WITH 9000 MILES ON IT PRESENTLY AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDE OF THE ROAD AND HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURED IN DECEMBER 2004 WITH 5000 MILES ON IT . SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DID OCCUR WHEN THEY DROVE THE TRUCK . THEY PUT A EGR VALVE AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, SINCE THEN THEY ARE STUMPED AND SAID THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122503 · 2005-07-25 (July 25, 2005)
DT: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED N AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS WENT OUT. WHEN OPENED THE HOOD FOR INVESTIGATION THE MASTER CYCLINDER SEPARTED FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER CYLINDER. NO LOCK ON BOLT AND THE NUT SHEARED ITSELF OFF. CALLED FORD AND LEFT MESSAGE. HAD TO PUT NEW TRANSMISSION AT 16,000 MILES AS WELL. HAD 2 MECHANICS LOOK AT THIS AND SUGGESTED FORD SHOULD TAKE NOTICE. *AK *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122503 at NHTSA ↗