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Transmission & drivetrain

2001 Ford Excursion Transmission problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2001 Ford Excursion's transmission & drivetrain with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on August 5, 2014. They describe 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping, CVT shudder, rollaway, axles, driveshafts and transfer cases.

Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Transmission complaints

Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford excursion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it rolled away independently without the engine started. The vehicle crashed into a residential mailbox and a mobile trailer. The contact's right leg and left ankle were injured while attempting to stop the vehicle, and medical attention was received. A police report was filed. An independent mechanic stated that the rear driver side panel and roof needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10618964
Transmission & drivetrain

Vehicle has a vibration above 45 mph up to 55 mph. Not sure if the vibration is coming from the drive shaft or not but it has a distinct vibration. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10184814
Transmission & drivetrainFire

Transmission failed and vehicle failed to respond to acceleration. At last incident fluid came out from underneath, causing it to ignite while vehicle was being driven. This would be the third time the gasket seal of the transmission was replaced along with main central valve. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10118943
Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

Vehicle was parked in the driveway. Consumer went to enter the vehicle and suddenly vehicle went backwards with the consumer holding on, throwing the consumer into the neighbor's driveway, causing him to sustain multiple injuries. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10115161
Transmission & drivetrain

Consumer was upset that transmission failed at 55,000 miles. While driving and towing a boat lost second gear. Vehicle revved high when he was in first gear. Then it would skip second gear and go into third gear. Also, overdrive light flashed. Vehicle was inspected by a ford mechanic, who determined that transmission was skipping second gear. Consumer had to replace the transmission at a cost of $4,294.97. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10087732
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving 50 mph, the driver shut the four-wheel drive off the vehicle and without warning the driver lost control of the power steering, causing the consumer to drive into a ditch. The consumer was able to remove the vehicle from the ditch. *Nm *jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10057325
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission shifts from 1 to 3 due to a defective part. Transmission shop told me ford switched a part in their transmission after 1999 year and switched it back in 2002. The part the switched leads to this failure. I believe a lot more complaints will be coming in the next few years. We just put a lot of miles due to living in a rual area.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10069323
Engine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

After purchasing my 2001 excursion with power stroke diesel I had problems with a hunting and sometimes surging when starting the engine. After two trips to the dealer and them stationing that there was "no" problem, the vehicle shut down while driving three days later. Luckily I wasn't in traffic I was just getting ready to pull out onto the road. After having it towed to a different dealer (due to location) I was informed that the cam pick-up sensor was bad and there was a service bulletin on this. I returned...

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about two days later complaining that the hunting and surging was still present. Again, I was told that there appeared to be "no" problems. (They plugged the computer into it and got no codes. But, did not drive or run the vehicle.) Now three dealers, less warranty and months later I'm still having lack of power,acceleration and poor fuel consumption problems. But, still being told by the dealer that nothing is wrong. Finally I took the excursion in to the dealer while is was demonstrating the problem. The service tech agreed that "this isn't right". They replaced the fuel injector on number 8 cylinder. And the turbo charger under the warranty. The vehicle still exhibits lack of acceleration on take off and now shuttering when first placed into reverse. Service tech states that it is the torque converter and that is not covered under warranty now and will cost approximately $3000. The cost of the vehicle new is $50,000 I would think the engine and transmission would last more than 40,000 miles? Ford is ignoring and not standing behind a manufacture defect that is noted on multiple excursions and f-250's. *La

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, diesel · Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10050853
Transmission & drivetrainEquipment & accessories

When towing boat in hot weather the transmission started leaking from rear seal. Truck was taken to dealer 3 times to remedy problem. Have not towed boat since so not sure if it will return. *La

Filed Incident Power train · EquipmentNHTSA 10047310
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving 35 mph automatic transmission never shifted from second gear. Took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic stated vehicle needed a new transmission. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10044765
Transmission & drivetrain

Total failure of automatic transmission, without warning while driving. Transmission would not shift out of lower gears, creating extremely unsafe driving environment. Vehicle taken to transmission shop, diagnosed as having the "direct drum" break apart and overheat the internal mechanism of transmission. Owner of shop indicated that most vehicles have several warning lights/signals to warn of potential problems like this - my vehicle did not exhibit any such signs prior to the total failure of the...

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transmission. The part in question is a aluminum casting, as such it has no moving parts. The fact that it failed is obviously due to a manufacturing defect or the improper selection and specification of material in its manufacture. The ford dealer (where vehicle was purchased) indicated that the ford motor co. Would not participate in the re-impressing of over $2000 in repairs since it was not taken to a ford dealer for repairs. All vehicles using this transmission should, in my opinion, be required to be inspected and repaired at the manufacturer's cost. Failure of this type at speed could have resulted in major injuries or death. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10038737
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving at 40 mph and without any warning automatic transmission failed. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, dealer stated that transmission went out.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10034357
Transmission & drivetrain

I have a 2001 ford excursions, with only 54,000 miles the transmission is going to have to be overhauled do to a defect that ford knows about and changed in newer models that cause the automatic transmission skip second gear. I have seen many other people on the internet talk about it but I like most people do not know where to go to make ford fix the problem.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10032990
Transmission & drivetrain

The automatic transmission shiftsedto a lower gear while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 8/5/2003, who stated the transmission lost power in the second and fourth gears. Please provide details.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10032412
BrakesFuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

The vehicle had ongoing problems with the transmission, brakes, and air tire. While driving a noise was heard coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, and the problem could not be determined. *Ak *cb *jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Fuel system, gasoline · Power trainNHTSA 10023998
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving, the second gear in the transmission froze up. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10020453
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving at 40 mph and coming up on a traffic light consumer proceeded to go, but vehicle would not go higher than 20mph, rpms were at 2800.Vehicle was crossing a busy intersection, and could have been broad sided or rear ended. This was a very dangerous situation. Please provide any further information.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 8010114
Transmission & drivetrain

Automatic transmission produced a single loud "thunk" as it shifted from first gear into second gear while pulling away from a stop sign. The transmission shifted very hard, with a bump, into second gear. Drove truck the remaining one mile to residence. Next morning when it was cold the truck seemed to run ok. About 10 miles into my commute the truck would not shift out of first gear when accelerating from a complete stop. It was necessary to accelerate in first gear until about 2700 rpm then completely let off the...

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throttle and then depress the throttle again to get the vehicle to shift up. This shift was very hard - jerked the vehicle- and made a loud "thunk". Once the vehicle was in second gear it shifted up to the other gears without a problem and was not a problem to drive - however the problem reappeared at every stop. Dealer replaced the transmission.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 755510
Transmission & drivetrainFire

During normal operation of vehicle underside became engulfed in flames. Driver was directed by others to pull over, and fire was put out with a fire extinguisher. Dealership examined vehicle and determined that transmission cooler line broke and leaked fluid onto exhaust manifold, resulting in a fire. There were no injuries to report. *Ak consumer stated it melted because it was rubber.*Slc

Filed Power trainNHTSA 898796
Transmission & drivetrain

This vehicle has been at dealership with a rumbling noise coming from somewhere in the drivetrain. Rearend has been replaced, transmission has been replaced, dampners in exhaust, and now the rearend again is out to put shims in it. The noise is still there at approx. 42 Mph. We want to trade the vehicle for another excursion but the dealer came out with a crazy trade amt. We wanted a new excursion because we do not want a vehicle that has been ripped apart 4 times, and for resale reasons. The dealership and mfg doesn't seem to care and I have been a ford owner for 25 years..

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 751911

Ford Excursion transmission complaints by year

Excursion transmission problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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