Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
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. …
Dt*: the contact stated the suspension: front control arm: upper ball joints and the suspension: front control arm: lower ball joints had prematurely worn out. The old parts were not manufactured with grease fittings as were the replacement parts. The upper and lower ball joints were replaced by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified.
Auguts 7, 2001 - traveling on a highway with speed limit of 65mph and the temperature was 101. Approximately 25 minutes into my drive I notice vibration in my steering wheel and the vehicle felt like it had a scuttle shake which continued to get worse. I stopped and looked at my front tires and underneath the front end for any obvious defects. Didn't look at the back tires closely because I assumed it was a front end problem due to the steering wheel vibration. When I got back on the highway the problem was getting worse (shaking harder) so I stopped once again to look at the front end. I happened to take a look at the rear tires while standing a distance away from the vehicle. My driver's side rear tire tread was severly warped. Firestone dealer replaced tire immediately. …
The tire failure was a blowout. The whole sidewall shredded. Firestone said it was a road hazard even though we did not hit anything. Ford would not replace because they don't cover tires. The fuel gauge was replaced twice by the dealer. The first time, the gauge read 1/4 tank left and it was dry. The second time the gauge read 1/4 tank and it was more than 1/2 full. The front stablizer assembly was popping so hard you could hear and feel it. The dealer replaced it. It seems to be popping again but I haven't taken it back in yet. I'm getting tired of taking it in. The rear side window motor was dying so I had it repaired. During repair, they noticed the glued piece that the motor attached to was coming off and had to replace the entire window. When does the lemon clause come into effect???( dot number: 008102 tire size: lt26575r16 )
While driving at any speed consumer noticed vibration in front end. Vibration can was felt in steering wheel. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer was unable to determine cause of problem. Consumer also states when he turns the vehicle, steering does not respond, consumer was advised by dealership that this is a normal characteristic of vehicle, consumer states swaybar was on upside down, mounts were missing or either loose, as well as springs were backwards, consumer states dealership is shipping vehicle to another state to have it fixed, consumer states he also had tires replaced, consumer is also experiencing braking difficulty.
2000 Ford Excursion has an occasional vibration coming from the front of the vehicle. The right front tire had a cut in the sidewall when the consumer first purchased the vehicle. The dealer agreed to replace all of the tires. The consumer noticed a vibration that seemed to be coming from the right rear, with an occasional vibration in the front. It started at about 55 and continued until about 70. The dealer then replaced the rear tires again. They rebalanced all four tires. The vibration was still there. They found this problem in another Excursion but worse.
This vehicle shakes, rattles and rolls constantly , alignment 3 seperate times, extremely hard too stop, nothing but problems with frame and chassis. I am currently waiting for a dsb hearing in regards to Ford repurchasing vehicle as previously they denied repurcahe of vehicle. I have also submitted all of my repair orders to Ford for review and I am told I will have to testify at the dsb hearing and havent received a date for same. This vehicle is the worst too try and control, stop or drive due to steering whhel shakes, frame stability and lack there of.
Defect in suspension system of car causes the car to move laterally on dry pavement as if the car were hydroplaning. Happens when the vehicle encounters "washboard" or rippling in the pavement. I suspect that the suspension is too tight since it does not seem to be as bad when the vehicle is loaded, weight seems to help the issue. All occurances (4) happened on highways within 5mph of speed limit on dry pavement during optimal weather. My wife is afraid to put the children in the car and drive it.
NHTSA investigations
Pulls under hard braking
There is no summary currently available
Suspension complaints in other Excursion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Ford Excursion?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Ford Excursion, 7% of the model year's 533 complaints. The component named most often is front (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Excursion suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 2 deaths to suspension 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.