Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2004 Ford Excursion: common problems and reliability
One of the better Excursion years.
95 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Excursion?The 2004 Ford Excursion has 95 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and electrical system. Owners most often flag engine-specific problems (gas): exhaust manifold studs/bolts are prone to breaking. spark plug thread issues: early models (up to 2002) have minimal thread engagement leading to plug ejection; 2004-2005 models have problematic two-piece plug designs that can seize and break.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Ford Excursion vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Excursion years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Excursion?
Across the 6 Excursion model years we track, complaint volume runs from 65 (2005) to 550 (2000). With 95 complaints, the 2004 Excursion sits below the model's median of 174.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Excursion
exterior lighting:tail lights
Campaign 11V352000FORD 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.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 05V270000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Owner sentiment is strongly positive regarding the vehicle's core purpose: immense size, robust towing capability, and durability.
- Very frequentEngine-Specific Problems (Gas)
Exhaust manifold studs/bolts are prone to breaking. Spark plug thread issues: early models (up to 2002) have minimal thread engagement leading to plug ejection; 2004-2005 models have problematic two-piece plug designs that can seize and break.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Excursion. See the full Excursion owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Excursion listings typically run $10,400–$19,549 across 2000 to 2005 model years.
Other Excursion model years
Compare every Excursion year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Excursion against its rivals
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