The 2003 Ford Excursion has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation and blowout.” 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 2003 Ford Excursion.
TIRES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2023-01
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CASING FRACTURED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE”
TIRES
5 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2009-05
“THE FIRESTONE TIRES INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WERE THE INCORRECT PLY. THE VEHICLE HAD 8 PLY, WHEN THEY SHOULD HAD BEEN E 10 PLY”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE AND QUESTIONED WHAT LOAD RANGE TIRES SHOULD BE ON HIS 2003 FORD EXCURSION 4X4 LIMITED DIESEL”
“RECALL CAMPAIGN, DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES HAVE NOT COME IN FOR THE FORD”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2009-02
“I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXCURSION WITH THE TRITON V10 GAS ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD AN EXHAUST SOUND”
“SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 2003 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED V-10 GAS ENGINE”
“SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF 8TH CYLINDER OF V10 FORD TRITON”
SUSPENSION
3 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2007-11
“HE WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
“THE DEALER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON EARLIER MODELS THAT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS”
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. THIS VEHICLE HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
9 NHTSA complaints · 2003-01 → 2010-06
“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES”
“2003 FORD EXCURSION 6.0 TRITON DIESEL ENGINE STALLS (BOTH HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS), BRAKES AND STEERING LOCK UP”
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND I LOST STEERING CONTROL”
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-06 → 2019-01
“MY 2003 FORD EXCURSION WITH A 6.0L DIESEL HAS BEEN SURGING AND WILL STALL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ICP SENSOR”
“ONLY TWO WEEKS AGO, MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SURGE IN ACCELERATION AT BOTH IDLE AND WHILE CRUISING. IT HAS ALSO BEGUN TO STALL OUT AT BOTH IDLE AND WHILE CRUISING”
“FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS IN THE 6.0 LITER DIESEL ENGINE RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF DIESEL FUEL TO ENTER THE OIL CRANKCASE”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2017-05
“ALL GUAGES WENT FULL TILT, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, LOSS OF POWER TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE FOR SAME PROBLEM”
“VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING @ 40-45 MPH ON US41. VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. BATTERIES REPLACED MORE THAN 4X”
“ON ROUTE 228 I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. MY TRUCK JUST STOPPED, EVERYTHING TURNED OFF STEERING WAS LOCKED I PUT IT IN PARK ANK HAD TO MAKE TWO ATTEMPTS TO START MY TRUCK UP AGAIN THE BATTERRY LIGHT BLINKED AND WENT OFF”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 NHTSA complaints · 2004-01 → 2015-07
“AT TOP OF A HILL I STOPPED COMPLETELY AND SHIFTED TO LOW GEAR, THE WIRES IN GEAR SHIFT KNOB SPARKED LOUDLY AND BEGAN BURNING”
“DRIVER USED CRUISE CONTROL ON TOLLWAY, GOT OFF TOLLWAY FIRE STARTED 1/4 MILE FROM EXIT”
“WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE CONSUMER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL TWICE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SECOND TRY CONSUMER CAME OUTSIDE AND FOUND VEHICLE ON FIRE. ELECTRICAL WIRES MELTED”
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)
63 crashes 1990–2024
How the 63 occupant deaths break down
30
driver deaths
33
passenger deaths
63
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 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.
7
complaints mentioning a crash
11
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 2003 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.