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 2005 Ford Excursion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving the truck the accelerator becomes nonresponsive and soon after the truck shuts down, complete power loss. Very difficult to steer and brake. It will start back up most of the time, but on occasion it will take 20 to 30 minutes to re-start. Ford has a recall for this # 05s34. My VIN indicates that my Excursion isn't under this recall, but this is exactly what is happening. This event happens on city streets and highways, while driving or sitting at a stop sign or stop light. This event has become more frequent as my wife will no longer drive it do to the vehicles handling/breaking issues without power so I only drive it on weekends. It happens at least once a day sometimes repeatedly within seconds after restarting and sometimes never again during the weekend. It also is not time or distance related. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was able to start on the first attempt. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel and the fuel injection control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. ....updated 07/22/15 the consumer stated after the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. Updated 9/22/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 70 MPH. The contact was able restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure could be related to the fuel injector. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 146,000.
While driving, the engine just quits and loses all power. I have to shift into neutral, turn the key all the way to off, and restart the engine. Sometimes it starts right up, other times it takes several (many) tries to get the engine to restart. It can go 200 miles without killing, and then kill 5 times in 5 miles. The issue appears to be similar to the recall 05s34 (NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000), but that's specific to diesel engines, and my truck has a gasoline engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V270000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 61,000.
There was no warning. We were on the freeway going 75mph. The Ford Excursion stopped running. There was no power to the brakes or steering. I got it to the side of the shoulder of the freeway where we waited for 2 hours for help. This is the third time this has happened. Each time we have had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Each time we have taken it to the dealer they give a different reason for the event. It was rekeyed, put new batteries, and this time they said it was a clutch fan. The clutch fan could have not possibly caused this type of mechanical failure. We noticed that the 2005 Ford Excursion was on a recall list for wiring problems. In Ford's description of the failure that May result it states "the vehicle May quit running in traffic and May or May not start again...resulting in a crash". …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure was repetitive with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the fuel injectors, pressure regulator and valve assembly modulator needed to be replaced. The repairs were performed but did not correct the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V270000 (electrical system: wiring) which required replacing the fuel injection control module and injection control pressure sensor but the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact waited until the engine completely cooled down before resuming operation. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis where they detected that the malfunction was contributed to the wiring harness. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 05V270000 (electrical system: wiring); however the VIN was not included in the recall defect. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,210.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Excursion. The contact heard noises coming from the vehicle. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The failure occurred without warning and the vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The power steering and brakes failed to operate. The dealer speculated that the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness May need to be replaced. The repair would cost between $3,000 to $4,000 and is not covered under the warranty or NHTSA campaign id number 05V270000 (electrical system:wiring). The failure mileage was 42,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Certain 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.
Remedy: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2005.
Electrical complaints in other Excursion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Ford Excursion?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Ford Excursion, 31% of the model year's 65 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Excursion electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-270 (wiring, Jun 10, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Excursion electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.