2003 Ford Excursion Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Excursion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension made an abnormal popping sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an air bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire which he linked to the suspension failure. The tire was not replaced. The contact also stated that after he replaced the radio inside the vehicle, the radio had become defective after the second day of installation. The contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the speakers. Upon investigation, he linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V327000 (Electrical System). Additionally, the contact also mentioned that the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop without warning. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and he informed him that the camshaft needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V553000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. HE WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVENTEEN THOUSAND MILES AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,500. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BALL JOINTS. THIS VEHICLE HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP ON THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS HAD WORN OUT, AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF MOVEMENT WITH IN THE WHEEL. *AK DEALER REPLACED LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT. AND MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS. *TT

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WANDERED INTO ANOTHER LANE. THERE WAS POOR STEERING RETURN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE TOOK THE SERVICE MANAGER ON A DRIVE, WHO AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS A DEATH TRAP, AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON EARLIER MODELS THAT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. SINCE THE REPAIRS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION 6.0 LITER DIESEL, FIRST BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER WHO WAS WORKING ON RECALL ITEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM THE DEALER (DEALER NOW OUT OF BUSINESS). AFTER A WHILE THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER, BUT NOT STALLING WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY UP HILLS. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN PARTS, EGR VALVE ETC, IT WAS STATED THAT THE INJECTORS WERE BAD. ALL INJECTORS REPLACED. FRONT MAIN LEAF SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED - THE SPRING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, -THE REPAIR FACILITY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSIZED, AND THEY STOPPED MAKING THE ORIGINAL SPRING, BECAUSE TOO MANY WERE BREAKING. WE THEN AGAIN STARTED EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING - AT THIS TIME MY KIDS WERE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THIS WAS PARTICULARLY WORRISOME. MY REPAIR SHOP SENT THE VEHICLE TO A HEAVY TRUCK AND DIESEL REPAIR SHOP, SPECIALIZING IN AMBULANCES. AFTER CHARGING ME $3000 TO FIX MY PROBLEMS (VARIOUS PIECES AN PART RELATED TO THE ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, ETC), THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO OPERATE WELL. WHILE UP IN CLEVELAND FOR THANKSGIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY - . HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER, AND RENT A REPLACEMENT DURING OUR VACATION. THE DEALER SAID MORE OF THE FUEL/ENGINE ISSUES AND AFTER CHARGING ME ANOTHER $1500, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, SAME STALLING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WOULD SIMPLY STALL, AT LOW SPEED, HIGH SPEED, UNDER LOAD, OR NO LOAD - TOWED AGAIN TO MY REPAIR PERSON, AND HE SENT IT TO A DIFFERENT DIESEL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT DIESEL IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE, THE INJECTORS AGAIN NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED PROPERLY, AND THAT THIS ENGINE IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING VERY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE, DOWN TO ONE FOR THE FAMILY, AND UNABLE TO AFFORD GETTING IT FIXED - AGAIN. *TR

2003 FORD EXCURSION LOST CONTROL UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS SWERVING INTO BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT LANES BARELY MISSING OTHER VEHICLES. I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WITH COMPLAINT. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION OR SOLUTION. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY PROBLEM. I WAS NOT WILLING TO WAIT AND SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN CONSIDERING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. WE WERE LEFT WITH NO OPTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP OTHER THAN TO TRADE VEHICLE IN WITH GREAT FINANCIAL LOSS. THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER A BUY-BACK UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAVE COPIES OF LETTER OF COMPLAINT AND SURVEYS FORD SENT TO ME. I GOT NO FURTHER RESPONSE FROM FORD. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT FIRESTONE RECALL REGARDING EXCURSIONS I FEEL VALIDATED IN MY COMPLAINT AND WOULD LIKE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. WE ACTED HASTILY OUT OF FEAR AND LOST A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE "TRADE-IN".*AK