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2005 Ford Excursion problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Ford Excursion is engine and cooling, typically around 106,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Excursion model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
84/100
Owner complaints
65
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
82
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2005 Ford Excursion problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Ford Excursion

Stalling 25Check engine light 5Loss of power 5

Recalls 2

Exterior lighting: brake lightsReported July 13, 2011 · 26,715 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
Risk
Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 11V352000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported June 10, 2005 · 180,104 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 05V270000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2005 Ford Excursion

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Ford Excursion 82

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 82 bulletins for the 2005 Ford Excursion

What 2005 Ford Excursion owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Steering · MI

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.

Filed Feb 18, 2023 · Tires · FL

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

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Electrical · 275,000 miles · MN

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 (the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v270000), but that's specific to diesel engines, and my truck has a gasoline engine.

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Engine · 135,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Engine · 192,000 miles · NJ

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 the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 192,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jul 13, 2017 · Airbags · 84,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 88,000 miles · CA

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

Filed Nov 13, 2015 · Lights · 130,000 miles · FL

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 the federal safety agency campaign number 11v352000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2015 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · TX

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 federal safety agency campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

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Questions about the 2005 Ford Excursion

Is the 2005 Ford Excursion reliable?

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2005 Ford Excursion, fewer than a typical Excursion model year.

What is the 2005 Ford Excursion year score?

The 2005 Ford Excursion scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Excursion: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Excursion?

Engine and cooling, with 23 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles. Next is electrical (20).

How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Excursion have?

2 recalls, covering exterior lighting and electrical system.

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