The 2000 Ford Excursion has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Spark plug ejection from cylinder head.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Ford Excursion.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
44 NHTSA complaints · 2005-02 → 2020-10
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD”
“A SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM MY FORD EXCURSION TRITON V10 MOTOR WHILE DRIVING 70MPH WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE”
“2000 FORD EXCURSION V10 TRITON, #7 PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE, 159,000MI ON ENGINE, PLUGS CHANGED AT DEALER”
TIRES
20 NHTSA complaints · 2005-01 → 2022-01
“THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT”
“THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE”
“THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE PLY FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE”
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2015-10
“BUTTON WHICH TURNS ON HEADLIGHTS BROKE OFF OF SWITCH”
“HE USED A PAIR OF PLIERS TO TURN WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON”
“THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH KNOB BROKE AND SEPARATED FROM THE SWITCH”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
10 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2012-03
“FOUR DOOR LOCK MOTORS FAILED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES”
“DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON DRIVER'S DOOR, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR DO NOT WORK”
“THE POWER DOOR LOCK ELECTRIC MOTORS FREEZE UP AND DO NOT OPERATE WITH THE ELECTRIC SWITCH”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5 NHTSA complaints · 2005-02 → 2010-09
“FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS WARP UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS”
“REPEATED WARPING OF ROTORS FOR THE FIRST 50-60,000 KMS, THEN MYSTERIOUSLY ONLY MINOR WARPING ON EXTENDED BRAKE USE”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
28 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2019-03
“THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MELTED CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE”
“THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH INDICATED SIGNS OF CHARRING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
“IT WAS EVIDENT THE FIRE STARTED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2007-08
“CAM POSITIONING SENSOR ON MY 2000 FORD EXCURSION 7.3 POWERSTROKE FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED”
“I HAVE HAD 2 ENGINE FAILURES WERE MY ENGINE WOULD QUIT AND NOT RESTART”
“CAM POSITION SENSOR ON FORD EXCURSION POWER STROKE DIESEL HAS GONE OUT TWICE”
SEATS
6 NHTSA complaints · 2005-01 → 2018-02
“THE NEXT DAY, THE SEAT COVER AND CUSHION WAS BURNED THROUGH”
“HE THEN OBSERVED THE FRONT PASSENGER HEATED SEAT IGNITED INTO FLAMES”
“SEAT HEATER IN PASSENGER SIDE OVERHEATED AND BURNED OUT ALL WIRING IN THE SEAT BASE AT 96,000 MILES”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
164 crashes 1990–2024
How the 164 occupant deaths break down
80
driver deaths
79
passenger deaths
5
not recorded by seat
164
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
39
complaints mentioning a crash
49
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Ford Excursion reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.