Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Excursion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased this truck 3 months ago from mike marooney north. When I got home I noticed it would not stay in park at all. This caused it to roll down the street with my baby in it. I have made over 50 attempts to get the dealer to put me in a safe vehicle or refund the $3200 back. They refuse to call me back or email me. They told me it was fixed after 3 days but it wasnt.
It's happened be for but never so scary. We were coming down one of the mountains on highway 299. We were,doing the speed limit of 55. And as we applied the brake it started pulling to the right. Like it was gonna go off the road. It also was vibrating so bad it felt like it was going to fall apart. We pulled over checked for loose bolts. Tire imperfections but nothing.
When the brake pedal was depressed it failed to stop the vehicle immediately, and the entire front end vibrated. This resulted in extended stopping distance. On one occasion, the vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. Dealership replaced or resurfaced brake rotors every three to four months.
Front disc brake rotors warp under normal driving conditions. This results in extremely violent shuddering and shaking of the steering wheel while braking at speeds over 40 MPH. Rapid braking at freeway speeds are high risk for loss of control and collision. I bought this Excursion used with ~48,000 miles and have had the rotors resurfaced at ~ 60, 000 and 84,000 mi. At 93,000 miles I had to replace all 4 rotors because of repeated shuddering from rotor warpage and wear which cost me over $500 on top of the $400 I spent at 84,000 miles for a brake job. Six months and 14,000 miles later I am having the same problem and now the dealer tells me there is a Ford service bulletin recommending a new type of pad. They also told me they have four other Excursion owners that are having the same complaints and safety concerns requiring similar repairs. …
I own a 2000 Ford Excursion and have had problems with the rotors warping since new. The dealers have said I was the only one with this problem but after seeing this web site I see that is not true. Also I had the bearings go out in the right front wheel almost leading to the tire falling off if my wife had not noticed it in time. The rotors have been replaced twice have been turned at least every 15,000 miles since new I have around 80,000 miles now. The dealer did the brakes three times until the warrnty ran out at 36,000 miles I have had them fixed myself since then. This truck is said to be heavy duty and I only tow a camper with it twice a year 60 mile round trip I feel like I should not be having this kind of problem. The severe shaking that is caused by this makes if difficult to drive for my wife since she is the primary driver of the car. …
My Excursion has been to the dealership 8+ times since purchase in 12-2002. The brakes and suspension are the top recurring problems. I do not have enough room to conclude all problems. Brakes have been serviced 3 times at dealership, I have asked them to look at the brakes two times in the last two months because of difficulty stopping, they find no problems. I don't see how they can tell when my mileage in is the same as my mileage out. I don't think Ford wants to deal with this problem. They are waiting for someone to die, and in this huge vehicle it is going to have to be a major accident for that to occur. Why does someone have to die before this vehicle is recalled. I am afraid for my and my family's life. I bought this vehicle for safety and comfort, and I am afraid of it. I have tried trading it in but word must be out because no one wants to give me anything for it. …
2000 Ford Excursion with less than 100,000 miles, well maintained and original owner. Brakes failed when rear brake line burst on the frame rail while applying the brakes to slow, this was not a panic stop which would induce a high pressure in the line. I was able to make a safe stop and was perplexed by this failure. There was no early warning of this failure and in fact the vehicle was at the dealer two days prior for oil change and new batteries and no mention of low brake fluid or leak in the brake system. After consulting with local repair facilities they state this is a known problem, I do not believe a vehicle that is properly maintained should have a sudden and catastrophic brake line failure that is only 10 years old and I'm sure there must be accidents related to similar vehicles.
Dt: the contact stated while driving at 40 MPH the vehicle rattled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. The first time the front rotors had to be turned. Several thousand miles later the problem recurred. He took the vehicle to the dealership again. This time it was the rear wheel rotors. The rotors were turned. The third time he took the vehicle to the dealer have it serviced. This time the brake pads, and rotors were turned. The dealership told him it was the design of the brake system, the rotors were too small for the brake system. All repairs have been made at the contacted expense. Updated 1/19/2006 - the front rotors warped which caused pulsation while braking.
Vehicle was parked in my garage. I was in the garage at the time. Began smelling burning electrical smell. Found white smoke coming out of engine compartment, increasing dramatically in volume. In just a few moments, the smoke was a solid curtain coming from the gap between the hood and driver side front fender. Opened hood and found an electrical switch on the brake system master cylinder creating the smoke. Using a rag I pulled the switch away from the cylinder and it was melted in half. The part of the switch connected to the electrical wire continued to smoke. I disconnected the remaining piece of the switch from the wire and it stopped smoking but everything was hot.
I too have experienced warped rotors under normal operation. I have owned my 2000 Excursion since new and have already had my rotors resurfaced once. They lasted approximately three months before having to have them done again. My last visit cost me $500 and I expect nothing less from the dealer this time. The harmonic period seems to be most pronounced when braking at 50 MPH with the severity decreasing at a standard bell curve above and below that speed. I am concerned of my safety when having to brake at highway speeds from loss of control or failure. Based on the complaints I have viewed, I would be in favor of a class-action suit with a redesign or buy-back remedy.
NHTSA investigations
Pulls under hard braking
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Excursion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Ford Excursion?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Ford Excursion, 12% of the model year's 533 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Excursion brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Ford Excursion, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Excursion brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.