2003 FORD EXCURSION — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

My wife, two young daughters, and I were traveling out of town for the New Year. As we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina, I started to notice that the vehicle was starting to vibrate. Over the course of the next +\- 10 miles the vibration became much worse and eventually forced me to get off of the highway. I exited the highway at exit 103 on I-85 southbound (NC-109) and was able to get the vehicle to a National Tire and Battery Shop located at 2 Cloniger Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360. Upon inspection, they noticed a large bulge in the driver side rear tire and told me that they thought that I might have broken a belt inside of the tire. They were able to get it off and put on the full size spare, thus allowing us to get to our destination. I strongly believe that had I not exited the highway when I did, there was a high likelyhood that the tire could have blown thus causing us to crash. With that said, this failure put my entire family at risk. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The tire has only been inspected by the National Tire and Battery that took it off and replaced it with the full size spare. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The problem started they day of the incident as we were traveling southbound on I-85 between Greensboro, North Carolina and Thomasville, North Carolina. Tire Size - LT 265/75 R 16

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Excursion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension made an abnormal popping sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an air bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire which he linked to the suspension failure. The tire was not replaced. The contact also stated that after he replaced the radio inside the vehicle, the radio had become defective after the second day of installation. The contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the speakers. Upon investigation, he linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V327000 (Electrical System). Additionally, the contact also mentioned that the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop without warning. The contact had a friend inspect the vehicle and he informed him that the camshaft needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V553000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

THE VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ISSUE. IT WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT MOSTLY BUT OCCASIONALLY TO THE LEFT. SO YOU SPEND THE ENTIRE DRIVE CORRECTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE ROAD. TOWING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE TRAILER TO GO IN TO A SNAKING MOTION BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION. THIS OCCURS WHEN EVER THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

PAVEMENT WAS WET...CIT WAS DARK ....A CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY..MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO SKID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME..CAUSING REAR DAMAGE TO IT...MY AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY..WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH..BUT SEEMED TO INCREASE IN SPEED SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY SAFE DRIVING DISCOUNT ON MY ISTATE FARM INSURANCE...HAD TO PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM FOR 3YRS BECAUSE OF IT..I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN MY SAFE DRIVER DISCOUNT BACK CAN GET STATEFARM DOCUMENTATION LATER IF NEEDED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXCURSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INJECTOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,106. *TR