2003 FORD EXCURSION Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

2003 FORD EXCURSION WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT WILL CRANK BUT WILL NOT FIRE. IT WILL NOT START WITH A JUMP START. TYPICALLY, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE BATTERY WILL DRAIN. AT THAT POINT IT WILL START WITH A JUMP START. IT ALSO USUALLY STARTS AFTER IT SITS FOR AT LEAST 1 DAY. THIS SPORADIC INCIDENT HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER 6 MONTHS. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED 4 TIMES BY A TRUSTED AND CAPABLE AUTO SERVICE CENTER. THEY HAVE RUN COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS, REVIEWED EVERY POSSIBLE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEMS, HAVE RESEARCHED EVERY POSSIBLE ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING. OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE RUNS WELL - WHEN IT STARTS. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS TODAY FEB. 24, 2010. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 6,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON A WET ROAD AND SUDDENLY, EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE REAR TAIL PIPE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A BROKEN FUEL INJECTOR WHICH ALSO RESULTED IN DAMAGES TO THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $12,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 02/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND IT LACKED POWER. THE DEALER FOUND THE #1 CYLINDER HAD A BROKEN PISTON. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED TO WARN HIM THERE WAS PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/02/10.*JB

Mileage: 78,000

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF 8TH CYLINDER OF V10 FORD TRITON. *TR

Mileage: 146,000

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF 8TH CYLINDER OF V10 FORD TRITON. *TR

Mileage: 146,000

2003 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. 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. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO HAVE A STRONG SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL WHICH ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN AT START UP. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO LIGHT UP AND I CHECKED THE LIGHT WITH A DIGITAL DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER. THE CODE WAS P2285 (INJECTOR CONTROL PRESSURE SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW). THE SITUATION IS QUITE DANGEROUS. MY WIFE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED AHEAD AND SHE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT ALSO BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED REARWARD AND ONLY BY MY HAVING MY FOOT NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL, STOPPED IT FROM RACING REARWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO CUT OFF WHILE AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING NOW. AGAIN, A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I HAVE SEEN ON THE FORD TRUCK ENTHUSIAST WEBSITES THAT I AM NOT ALONE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS CONDITION AND FAULTY INJECTOR CONTROL PRESSURE SENSORS ESPECIALLY IN THE '03 MODELS BUT EVEN LATER MODELS. I AM JUST OUT OF WARRANTY BY A WEEK, AND FORD SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. I HAVE SEEN WHAT THE DEALERS HAVE QUOTED OTHERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM UP TO $2000.00 FOR WIDE RANGING SOLUTIONS (REPLACING TURBOS, REPLACING ALL INJECTORS, ETC.) I USE THIS TRUCK TO TRANSPORT MY DISABLED CHILD AND DEFINITELY CANNOT AFFORD THE DEALER TO RIP ME OFF FOR $2000. IT IS A $140 PART AND SHOULD TAKE NO LONGER THAN AN HOUR OF A TECHNICIAN'S TIME TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND PIGTAIL HARNESS. CLEARLY, FORD KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AS THEY HAD A CUST. SERVICE PROGRAM 03B05 AND 03B06 REGARDING THIS ISSUE FOR 47,000 OTHER '03 TRUCKS WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE. THEY SAID MY VEHICLE'S VIN DID NOT FALL INTO THOSE 47,000. OBVIOUSLY IT AFFECTS MANY MORE TRUCKS THAN THE 47,000. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND I LOST STEERING CONTROL. LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS WERE APPROACHING BECAUSE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON TO A BUSY STREET. VERY DANGEROUS. THE STALL HAS ALSO OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 OTHER TIMES, USUALLY WHEN DECELERATING WHEN COMING TO A STOP LIGHT. TODAY, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THEN I HEARD A CLICK AND ALL THE GAUGES LOST POWER, THE RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT. I COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE - ONLY HEARD A CLICK SOUND. AFTER WAITING AN HOUR, THE VEHICLE STARTED. BATTERIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. IT WAS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE UNDER AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER. SENSOR REPLACED ALONG WITH BATTERIES. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE SHOP. TALKED TO FORD AND THEY DO NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEMS THAT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIX. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

OVER THE LAST 1 1/2 YEAR, VEH DIES AND WONT RESTART OR SLOWER TO START EVENTUALLY WILL NOT START. ALL GAUGES GO FULL TILT, ABS LIGHT COMES ON, LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, WILL NOT RESTART, JUST CLICKS, THEN NOTHING. HAVE TO DISCONNECT AND FULLY RECHARGE BATTERIES TO RESTART,,,, THEN,,,, PROBLEM RECURS IN FEW WEEKS. NEW BATTERIES 11/07, CAM SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED 3/07. CODE P0603. *TR

Mileage: 77,965

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 2003 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED V-10 GAS ENGINE. THIS WAS SPARK PLUG ON DRIVER'S SIDE, REAR OF ENGINE, CLOSEST TO DASHBOARD. PULLED HEAD AND FOUND THREE OF THE REMAINING FOUR THREADS TO BE WORN. CONSIDERED SAME ISSUE COULD BE PRESENT ON OTHER SIDE OF ENGINE, SO REPLACED ENGINE. ENGINE HAD APPROX. 106K MILES. WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

CRANK POSITION FAILURE , PN F7TZ12K073A, AT 80,000 MILES ON THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION 7.3 LTR DIESEL. BACK UP SENSORS FAILED INTERMITTANTLY. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE ILLUMINATED LIGHT INDICATED THE CAM SHAFT WAS OFF CENTER WHICH CREATED UNDESIRABLE EMISSIONS. THE EPA WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLARED IT SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED REPAIR THE DEFECT WITHOUT A COST.*AK

Mileage: 40,000

I PURCHASED A NEW FORD EXCURSION IN LATE DECEMBER OF 03. IT LEAKED OIL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO DEFECTS IN ITS MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AFTER MUCH CONFLICT BY THE DEALER WITH A USED REMANUFACTURED ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY AFTER ONLY 11,700 MILES. THE USED ENGINE LEAKED FROM THE REAR OF THE BLOCK IN THE SAME WAY AS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE. FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW MOTOR. THE USED ENGINE SUFFERED FROM ERRATIC IDLE, LEAKAGE ETC. IT SEEMED DESTINED TO FAIL AS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE DID. I LOST OVER $20,000 AFTER ACCEPTING AN ARBITRATION DECISION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE IT TO 13,000 MILES. UNBELIEVABLY POOR QUALITY AND NO SUPPORT. SIMPLY A RIP OFF TO CONSUMERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ONCE, AND WAS DRIVEN THERE 4 TIMES, TOTALING OVER 100 MILES AND 72 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. *NM

Mileage: 700

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXCURSION WITH THE TRITON V10 GAS ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD AN EXHAUST SOUND. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO PASADENA FORD AND AS I DROVE IN A SALESMAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE #3 CYLINDER AND THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. HE STATED THAT IT WAS COMMON AND HE SAW IT ALL THE TIME. I PROCEEDED TO DROP OFF THE TRUCK AND MY SERVICE TECH CALLED ME BACK AND INDEED THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT AND STRIPPED THE HEAD. HE TOLD ME THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $4,000.00. I CHECKED WITH THE COMPANY THAT TOWS MY TRUCKS ALL THE TIME AND SAID THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON AND HE HAD TOWED 5 OR 6 IN THE LAST MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE RECOMMENDED A SERVICE COMPANY TO ME THAT HAS DONE ALMOST ALL OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND OTHER STUDIO TRUCKS, HE SAYS ABOUT 30 OF THEM. HE TOLD ME THAT THE THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ONE TURN TO SHORT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. I CONTACTED ANOTHER SERVICE COMPANY AND THEY CONFIRMED HIS EXPLANATION. WHEN I CONTACTED PASADENA FORD THEY TOLD ME I WAS WRONG AND WHEN I PICKED UP MY TRUCK MY SERVICE TECH WAS ACTUALLY CONFRONTATIONAL. I EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THE TRUCK REPAIRED THERE AND I WOULD NOT PAY $4,000. HE TOLD ME THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE OTHER MECHANIC AND HE FIXED THE ONE CYLINDER FOR $300.00 AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS AND NEITHER HAS ANY OF HIS STUDIO TRUCKS. I CALLED MAGIC FORD IN VALENCIA, CA AND THEY CONFIRMED THE DEFECT OF THE HEAD BEING SHORT ONE THREAD AND WHEN I CALLED PASADENA FORD AGAIN AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE ELSE THEY CONFIRMED THE SAME THING. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS RECOMMENDED THE REPAIR BUT FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DO NOT OFFER OR RECOMMEND THE REPAIR. TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS CONFIRMED THE "DEFECT" WITH THE THREADS BUT THEY DO NOT AGREE THAT IT IS A ITEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

Mileage: 86,000

FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS IN THE 6.0 LITER DIESEL ENGINE RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF DIESEL FUEL TO ENTER THE OIL CRANKCASE. OIL LEVEL IN CRANKCASE IS DILUTED WITH FUEL TO THE EXTENT OF BEING MEASURED ON THE DIPSTICK BY SEVERAL INCHES AND FLASH POINT OF OIL REDUCED TO HALF OF THE FLASH POINT OF THE OIL. *JB

Mileage: 9,404

OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS FOR THE SAME REPAIR. THE VEHICLE DEVELOPS A MISS. IT WILL SHOW UP WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT ANY SPEED UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE ONLY THING CONSISTENT THAT WAS SAID BY ALL THE DEALERS IS THAT MANY 6.0L ENGINES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT FORD WAS DEVELOPING A REPAIR PLAN, THAT THE ENGINE WAS SOOTING UP A SENSOR, AND THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO STOP THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD KEEP REPLACING THE SAME SENSOR THAT WOULD TEMPORARILY RESOLVE AND CLEAR CODES, PROBLEM WOULD LIKELY RETURN. *JB

Mileage: 17,910

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS AND ALSO OCCASIONALLY LOSSES TURBO POWER. HAS STALLED AT STOP SIGNS AND WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES. AT THIS TIME YOU LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING, VERY DANGEROUS!! WHEN LOSES TURBO, IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO FOR IT TO KICK BACK ON.

Mileage: 11,000

MY 2003 EXCURSION HAD A MAJOR TURBO FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 ON 12-26-03. MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WERE TRAVELING TO HOUSTON. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 1,049 LIFE TO DATE MILES. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 30 TO 45 MINUTES WE HEAR A LARGER POP NOISE AND A LARGE DROP IN THE ENGINE POWER. I ONLY HAD A FLASH OF A DASH LIGHT AND IT WENT RIGHT BACK OFF. I WAS TRYING TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE. WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 TO 35 MPH TRYING TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT. NOTICE LARGE VOLUME OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER ASAP AFTER SEEING THIS. THE SMOKE CAME INTO THE CAB FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM (A/C). PULLED MY DAUGHTER FROM THE VEHICLE, ALSO HAD MY WIFE GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT RELEASED THE HOOD LOCK, CHECKING THE HEAT ON THE HOOD FIRST. RAISED THE HOOD FOUND FIRE COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE FROM THE TURBO. JUST SMOTHER THE FIRE OUT TO ENSURE IT WOULD NOT SPREAD. SAW THE OIL AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THROUGH OUT THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS A 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE AND IS A 4X4 EXCURSION. IM FILING THIS REPORT FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS NOT FOR MYSELF. MY CONCERN IS FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THIS TYPE OF CONDITION WHICH CAN HAPPEN WITH A DIESEL ENGINE. IM A VEHICLE SUPERINTENDENT OF A LARGE CITY TRANSIT SYSTEM. AND HAVE SEEN FIRES FROM A TURBO FAILURES. 6.0 DIESEL IS A INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT, AND THE SERIES 40 ENGINES ARE PRONE FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURES. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY FAILURE THAT IS REPORTED FOR THE 2003 6.0 DIESEL. BUT WITH ONLY 1,049 MILES THIS FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NOT OCCURRED. THEIR SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO ENSURE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD HAVE CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR THIS CONDITION FOR A FAILED TURBO. ITS AT THE DEALER AT THIS TIME GETTING REPAIRED. BEST REGARDS, BRYAN J. GARNER

Mileage: 1,049

DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR ( WARRANTY ) MY 4 MONTH OLD 2003 FORD EXCURSION. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, THE ROOF LEAKS, THE HOOD IS CROOKED. THE CRUISE CONTROL STICKS AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATES BUT WHEN THE OFF BUTTON IS PUSHED THE ENGINE DIES. THE PAINT HAS 100,000 RUST PARTICLES IN THE FINISH, THE PRIMER IS SHOWING THROUGH THE WHITE PAINT IN PLACES ON THE TRUCK, STRANGE NOISE WHEN THE TRUCK IS FIRST STARTED. *NLM

Mileage: 140

SMELL IN PASSENGER CAB. HIGH IDLE--8 MPH. HIGH ROAD IDLE:40 MPH. STALLING, SURGING. AIR CONDITIONING LOSES CHARGE. *LA

Mileage: 483

WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAD ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS PROCESSING THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *AK FORD REMOVED THE ENTIRE MOTOR THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 1 WEEK FOR THE SECOND TIME. THEIR SOLUTION WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT TIRES. (THE CONSUMER DISAGREED AND STATED VEHICLE DID NOT STALL BECAUSE OF BAD TIRES. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 12,000

WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED, IT FREQUENTLY RUNS ROUGHLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS OR MORE. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND HAS ALMOST LED TO ME STRIKING VEHICLES PARKED IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO PULL OUT OF PARELLEL PARKING SPACES. IT HAS ALSO CAUSED ME TO STRIKE MY TRAILER AS I ATTEMPT TO HITCH UP TO IT AND MAKES THAT PROCESS VERY CHALLENGING. THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS SINCE IT WAS NEW AND HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS WHICH HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 500

TRUCK PURCHASED MARCH 31, 2003. 7 DAYS LATER TOOK TRUCK IN FOR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. TRUCK WAS IN SHOP FOR 9 DAYS. 7 DAYS AFTER TRUCK WAS OUT OF SHOP WENT INTO SHOP AGAIN FOR 23 DAYS FOR DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. TOOK TRUCK IN AGAIN ON AUGUST 21, 2003 FOR AC NOT WORKING AND CLICKING SOUND IN TRANSMISSION. STILL IN SHOP. *AK

FORD EXCURSION 6.0L POWERSTROKE DIESEL.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE WHILE IN DRIVE, ALSO A LEAK IS COMING FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL. TO DATE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. THE CONSUMER WA STOLD THE INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPALCED. THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *CB *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED , WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHICH CAUSED POOR STEERING. CONSUMER AVOIDED SEVERAL COLLISIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT. *PH *JB

Mileage: 3,753

2003 FORD EXCURSION 6.0 TRITON DIESEL ENGINE STALLS (BOTH HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS), BRAKES AND STEERING LOCK UP.*AK

Mileage: 13,000

THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS