Okee.. I'm putting on my fire-proof suit in what's sure to be a 'hot' topic.. how reliable is the Excursion, and which model year is tops? According to CR, overall the 00-03s get an 'average' reliability rating, and the 04s and 05s get a much worse than average. These reports I believe are based on their subscriber surveys done once per year. I've partaken in a few on my F150 and Honda Odyssey. For those two I'd say they are right on. My 97 F150 has been very solid and the CR reliability history supports that.

But now onto the EXC. I'm going to drop the 04 and 05 off the list for the reason noted above. I'm guessing the bulk of the 00-02s are the 6.8L V10 (which is mostly what I'm interesting in.. though I could see the engine ratings varying widely based on 5.4, 6.8, 7.3). I would be nice if they would break it out by engine.. oh well.

the grading scale
==================
5 = well above avg
4 = above avg
3 = avg
2 = below avg
1 = well below avg

model yr --> 00 01 02
============================
engine major 5 4 3
engine minor 4 2 2
engine cooling 4 4 3
tran 4 2 5
drive system 3 3 2
fuel system 5 4 4
electrical system 3 4 3
============================
total them up 28 23 22 (not part of CR, put my own)

and there are others, but notably negatives (well below avg)go to:
suspension on the 01
brakes on 00
body hw on the 00
power equip on the 00, 01
audio system on the 02 (who cares?)

The ones that concern me the MOST are the 2s and then 3s.
Is the 02 engine really a 3?
Is the 02 engine cooling a 3?
Is the 01 tranny a 2?
Is the 02 drive system a 2?
Is the 00 and 01 drive system a 3?
Is the 00 and 02 electrical a 3?

I'm on the hunt for an Excursion, but I'll be giving up my 97 F150. I'd like to have the peace of mind that I'm not losing a reliability. A coworked suggested I look at a Toyota Sequoia, but I don't think it has the capabilities that I need, but with much better reliability I might have to sacrifice.

(PS is there a way to post attachments? I could post the ratings in jpg format)

 

Ur mainly looking at v-10s right? If u are u have nothing to worry about. I have 114,000 miles and it has only had one thing wrong. It was a CPS at 85,000 miles. I also don't baby her at ALL. I never pay attention to those consumer report ratings, because they all favor japense and foriegn cars. I dont see why the engine reliability rating from 00 to 05 slowly went down, if they are comparing the v-10. From 00 to 05 the v-10 has been the same engine. The excursion never got the 3v, so how could the reliability rating go down? It doesnt make sense

 

I can think of reasons for at least some of the low scores:
01 - tranny: Mechanical diode issue
00 & 01 drive system - same thing
00 & 02 electrical - door lock actuaters that stop working.
Bad engine years - the 6.0 diesel had one year that was bad if I recall correctly.

Some things to keep in mind on these ratings
1. Most vehicle owners aren't mechanics so they may mis-categorize and/or multiple categorize a single issue. The '01 transmission mechanical diode is a great example. Does the average owner call that a transmission issue or a drive system issue? Or both?

2. While the ratings can be useful to know what may go wrong they don't tell you anything about how expensive of a fix is required. For example, the electrical issues are likely in part due to the door lock acutators failing. A dealer may charge big buck to replace all the actuators, while a quick fix (post in these forums) is virtually free, other than the time to fix.

3. In my experience CR tends to reflect an anti-American made car bias. Not so much that issues are "invented" for American made cars, but they are reported with a greater "severity" than for imported cars.

4. As you've already noted, it is unfortunate that there isn't a breakdown of various options. IE the V-10 vs. the 7.3 vs. 6.0. These engines all have unique relability and performance histories and simply grouping them as a single history makes the datum worthless.

In my opinion you would do much better to scan these forums for specific info on what usually goes wrong with the specific equipment you're looking to buy. In this way you can also get an idea of how expensive or time consuming the repair is. The volume, specificity, and accuracy of information available on this site puts CR to shame. Not that CR isn't a valuable resource, but it is only a starting point that paints in very (VERY) broad strokes.

 

LAME

CR needs more details for their testing, way too many variables, 4x4 or 2wd, diesel or gas if gas 5.4 or 6.8 xlt, limited or eddie bauer, lots more to break on the higher end models........

 

Any way you look at it, they have the F250 Super Duty running gear. So, the rating should match up. The early 6.0 had problems with head bolts not holding up under pressure.

 

Yeah, unfortunately, they don't rate the 250s.

 

Also, I agree on the variables,but I'd guess by in large, most of the vehicle is about the same; certainly more bells & whistles on the plush packages. By engine would be helpful.

 

Plus the people on this forum are knowlegdable with the products they use. CR doesnt know anything about excursions, superduties chevy trucks, etc

 

I made the jump from a 2001 SCrew to a 2001 EXC. I can't be more happy. I guess the deciding factor was a 2600 mile roadtrip (vacation) with 6 people in my wife's Honda Odyssey (two of them grandaughters 5 and 18mts), I decided then I wanted more room. My only regret is the 5.4 engine. If I had done my homework, I would had opted for a PSD or the V10.

 

what kind of gas mileage do u get with ur 5.4?

 

My 2000 EX 2wd v10 Never gave me a problem... just some stuff ford should have added to it but never broke down...

Shocks, Brakes and it needed a Anti-Sway bar (didn't come with one) that is what ford should have made better.

 

Baji26 -- in what order would you add them for mostly passenger driving? Who much for each?

 

Click the photo in my sig and see my gallery and what I've did so far...
http://www.custom-computerz.com/EXCURSION/guides.html

I did the Rotors and Pads ($497) then I did the Hellwig ($198.97) both shipping included.

I'm waiting for Brian to return to get his Steering Stabilizer Bracket to add it on.

Next its gonna be the Ranchos RS9000 ($349.90) shocks and that will be it until I get my exterior cosmetics and interior done.

Grill, Bullbar w/lights, Headlights, and 05 signal mirrors, Dominator Hitch Step-Polished Stainless Steel, Mud Guards.

Sound Radio and Door Speakers (Got the SOLO Barc already 5yrs ago ($500)), Leather uphostered, and some Tvs and a DvD.

And that should be it. For now!

 

what kind of grille are you going to get? Also are u going to get clear headlights and clear turn sigs?

 

If your getting new mirors you should look at the 08 mirors. I have them on my 04. Pics in my gallery,
Nick