Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The past six weeks my service engine soon light came on. After checking engine fluids and changing fuel filter the light would go out. I have also noticed my headlights going dim quite frequently. After third occurence, I took my vehicle to independent service shop. After checking for two days, they determined that the main wiring harness has again been melted through. This was reported to you on 2-17-2004 when the first fire was discovered. Confirmation number is 10081075. You can contact this service shop. They have replaced this part on many fords. They had one vehicle which became fully engulfed in flames while driving down the road. Does someone have to die before Ford is required to recall this. The wiring harness is placed where engine fluids frequently drip on wiring harness and causes it to melt and eventually starting on fire. I have another Ford with same engine. …
While driving my check engine light came on. After checking engine fluids and verifying everything was okay. The engine started losing power. We called the local dealer and they weren't able to get it in to check, so we trailered it to a neenah repair shop. After checking various things he indicated there was a fire in the wiring harness of this vehicle. I have retained the parts which the Ford dealer wanted to have. This was my third Ford vehicle which started on fire. I've had an ltd that was totaled while parked in my driveway. A Ford conversion van which the auxiliary power started the interior on fire while I was driving it and this Ford Excursion. I also have a 2002 f350 which has had every problem that my Excursion has had. Both these vehicles have the same motor. Both vehicles are on the third alternator. There is a problem in the electrical system of these Ford vehicles. …
My 2000 Ford Excursion caught fire in my driveway last night and burned. The entire engine compartment was in full flames when my daughter heard the alarm going off. The fire department says the fire started under the hood on the driver's side. It burned the entire front half of the vehicle before we got it put out. I don't know what started the fire but it was about 45 minutes after we had come home from having dinner at a local restaurant here in boerne. There was no previous "warning" that would have pointed to any potential fire. Again, the fire department suspects the fire started on the driver's side underneath the hood based upon burn patterns. I have heard this is the same vicinity that other Ford fires that have something to do with the cruise control have started.
Vehicle fire. 2000 Ford Excursion. In the same wire/switch as the recalled vehicles. I parked in a mall parking lot, and prepared to wait a few minutes until the store opened. I saw puffs of smoke from under the driver's side of the hood. I got out and cautiously lifted the hood. The wiring nearest the driver's side burst into flames. I closed the hood to limit airflow and a bystander called 911. The fire truck came and put out the fire. Arrangements were made to tow the car to a Ford dealership nearby. The repair shop replaced the wiring and said that it was not covered under the recall because it did not have a constant current through it. I have the burned parts.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Ford Excursion. While driving, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front driver's side floorboard. The driver was not aware of any warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road where it caught fire and burst into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not driveable and was towed to the driver's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The driver believed the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control); however, she never received a notification. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Excursion. While driving at an unknown speed, the rear windshield wiper malfunctioned and overheated. Smoke appeared from the wiper as well as the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V258000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor) and would not repair it for free, although the failures were identical. The repair would cost $1,000. The vehicle is currently in the shop with extensive damage to the instrument panel and rear windshield. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Multiple electrical system failures, fixed at least with three visits to century Ford in mt. Airy, md under warranty. Warranty expired problems arose again and have compounded. (* fixed in warranty period more than once and continues to occur) door ajar light stays on*, interior lights remain on for extended time *, running board lights caught fire even though car was not running, auto lock/unlock feature does not operate,power windows are slow to open and close, rear power source inoperable*,front headlight passenger side sometimes does not light.
My car was working perfectly, except for a blinker light which was not working, it was completely off, I started my truck around 10 am and I dropped my kids to school, came back and park my car, about 1 hour later I head out again, I insert the key to start the car and the minute it started lots of smoke started coming out from the front hood. Everything was so quick, there was not even time to open the hood and look, the truck got into fire, buy the time the firemen came there was a big fire, the car is completely lost.
My vehicle, a 2000 Ford Excursion limited, v-10 gasoline engine, was parked in my driveway on 3/3/07, locked and everything turned off and had been there for quite a while, when I heard a loud explosion and I ran outside to find the vehicle on fire under the hood on the driver's side. The hood release did not work and I tried to put out the fire with a water hose. When the fire department came, we pried the hood open and extenquished the fire. But everything was burned and the vehicle is a total loss.
I stopped engine at my house, left headlights on to see. Wiring harness failure (dead short) ignited the left headlight assembly, flames extended over a foot high. Fuse never blew out. Had a fire extinguisher at hand, put out flames. $4600 damage, but saved the vehicle. Why didn't the fuse blow? I have all of the damaged parts: wire harness, headlight, bracket. Took vehicle to Ford dealer, damage was repaired, insurance paid.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Electrical complaints in other Excursion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Ford Excursion?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Ford Excursion, 11% of the model year's 533 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Excursion electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 20 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.