The Ford Excursion is Ford’s largest SUV outside of limited editions.
Because of its size, it can double as a truck for hauling heavy loads!
In this article, we discuss the longevity of the Ford Excursion.
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Here is the short answer about how long Ford Excursions last:
Excursions are some of the longest-lasting models in Ford’s lineup of vehicles, with many serving for over 500,000 miles. The truck can easily serve you for over 20 years. But you will need to be diligent with maintenance and repairs.
How Many Miles Can the Ford Excursion Last?
The Ford Excursion can last as long as 600,000 miles.
An Excursion user whose vehicle has lasted for over 500,000 miles claims it is still in excellent condition.
According to him, your Excursion can last that long with no expensive repair.
He however recommends that you always use synthetic oil when you need to refill the oil filter.
How Soon to Expect Rust on a Ford Excursion
You won’t find rust on your Ford Excursion until about 15 years after its production.
When rust eventually appears, it does severe damage to the vehicle such that you might have to dispose of it.
The first signs of rust show up on the rock panel of the truck, then moves up to the rear door in a short while.
Some users say they had to do an expensive repaint job to restore their Excursion to its previous condition.
Others say their mechanics advised them to get a replacement.
Make sure to also read our article about how long the Honda Odyssey lasts.
How Long Do Ford Excursions Last Compared to Similar Cars?
Compared to other large SUVs, Ford Excursions last longer. Let’s look at the following comparisons:
Ford Excursion vs. Chevrolet Suburban
The Ford Excursion lasts longer than the Chevrolet Suburban.
On average, the distance a Suburban can last is 200,000 miles. Research also shows that the possibility of the Suburban lasting for 300,00 miles is very rare, even with adequate maintenance.
The shortest mileage reported for the Ford Excursion is 300,000 miles. If you give your Ford Excursion proper care, you can stretch its service life to 600,000 miles.
In relation to gas mileage, the Suburban wins. The Chevrolet Suburban will last longer on a gallon of fuel than the Ford Excursion on the road.
While Ford Excursion offers just 11 miles per gallon in the city, the Chevy Suburban boasts a mileage of 15 mpg.
Ford Excursion vs. GMC Yukon
Once again, the Excursion lasts longer than the GMC Yukon. Ford Excursions will last for 300,000 miles at the very least. The GMC Yukon is only durable for 200,000 miles.
In contrast, the GMC Yukon trumps the Ford Excursion in gas mileage.
A gallon of fuel will last for 14 miles if you are driving a Yukon in the city. The Ford Excursion can take you 11 miles on city roads with the same amount of fuel.
Regarding rust, Ford Excursions fare better than Yukons. Depending on the severity of manufacturing defects, rust appears on the Yukon from 3 to 12 years after production.
You won’t find rust on your Ford Excursion until about 15 years after production.
Ford Excursion vs. Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango may last long, but it still doesn’t come close to the Ford Excursion in durability. The Ford Excursion can last as long as 600,000 miles, but the best the Durango can do is 250,000 miles.
It appears Ford does not offer the best gas mileage, as even the Dodge Durango offers better fuel efficiency than the Ford Excursion.
On the highway, you can expect your Durango to last for 23 miles on a gallon of fuel. However, Ford Excursion will only last for 15 miles per gallon on the highway.
Ford Excursion may be very durable. However, for a car that lasts so long, it offers poor gas mileage. This is not surprising though, considering the Excursion’s hulking size and powerful engine.
Please also read our article about how long the Chevrolet Impala lasts.
Is Ford Excursion Reliable?
Ford Excursions are reliable, but their reliability is only about average. For example, RepairPal rates the Ford Excursion only a 3.5 out of 5 in reliability.
On the plus side, Ford Excursion trucks are very durable. Compared to similar cars, they last very long.
For example, while the Excursion lasts 300,000 miles at least, the Chevrolet Suburban, a similar SUV, may struggle to reach 300,000 miles.
In contrast, they deliver poor gas mileage. The average MPG (mile per gallon) is for the Suburban is 21 miles on the highway, but the best Ford Excursion can offer is 15 mpg.
The Best and Worst Years for the Ford Excursion
2004 was the worst year for Ford Excursions. Even though it did not receive the highest number of complaints, the problems reported were serious and required expensive repairs.
Customers complained about high repair costs of individual car parts and the less-than-standard gas mileage.
Other complaints focused on oil leakages and engine failures. For instance, it costs $1,300 to fix an engine oil leak.
The best model year for Ford Excursions was 2005. First, it had few complaints. In addition, the high number of positive reviews the model year garnered put its performance rate at 4.8 out of 5.
The 2005 model year offers sufficient room for luggage and passenger, and a strong build to haul heavy loads. On the downside, the gas mileage the model year offers is very low.
Also check out our article about how long the Honda Ridgeline lasts.
What About Recalls for these Models?
The Ford Excursion has witnessed 12 recalls. Some of the recalls involved steering column problems, speed control deactivation switch, and camshaft position sensor.
Below is a table listing the number of recalls by model year:
Model Year | Number of Recalls |
2001 | 7 |
2000 | 6 |
2002 | 5 |
2003 | 5 |
2005 | 2 |
Ford Excursion Model Year
The following are the model years of the Ford Excursion:
- 2000 Ford Excursion
- 2001 Ford Excursion
- 2002 Ford Excursion
- 2003 Ford Excursion
- 2004 Ford Excursion
- 2005 Ford Excursion
- 2006 Ford Excursion
Are Ford Excursions Expensive to Maintain?
No, Ford Excursions aren’t expensive to maintain.
The average cost for yearly maintenance on large SUVs is $1,127. Average yearly maintenance only costs about $605 for the Excursion.
However, paying for the repair of faulty parts in Ford Excursions is another story. For instance, the average cost of repairing an engine oil leakage is $1,300.
How Long Do Brakes Last?
The service life for Excursion brakes ranges from 30,000 to 60,000 miles. However, you can make your brakes last longer by going gentle on them when you drive.
If you avoid staying too close to other cars on the road, you won’t need to stomp on your brakes in traffic. The practice of stomping on your brakes is actually the reason your brakes wear out faster.
In case you need to replace your brake pads, Ford Excursion brake pads can cost between $23 to $60.
How Long Do Batteries Last?
The batteries on Ford Excursion can last for about 2-3 years depending on how you maintain your vehicle. One way to make your batteries last longer is to ensure that you turn off all engine lights before you exit your car.
How Long Do Tires Last?
The most common tires Ford Excursions use are Firestone tires and they can last for about 12,000-15,000 miles.
If you want to make your tires last longer, you need to check what season the tires are suitable for. For instance, if the tires are all-season, then you might be safe using them year round.
However, if you live in an area characterized by extreme weather conditions, get tires that fit the bill. For chilly and wet terrain, get winter tires.
How Long Do Transmissions Last?
Ford Excursion transmissions last for 130,000-180,000 miles. Your transmissions will last longer if you take them for servicing after every 7,500 miles.
How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?
Your Ford Excursion spark plugs can last for 100,000 miles if there are no production defects.
What Is the Insurance Cost for Ford Excursion?
Your Ford Excursion insurance can cost between $1,000 to $5,000 per year.
Certain factors determine how much you will pay to insure your car:
- The vehicle’s age: A newer model will cost more to insure than an older model.
- Your location: The place you live can also affect your insurance cost. For instance, users in Georgia pay less than users in Detroit.
- Discounts: Insuring all your insurables such as your life and your home might earn you a discount.
- Credit history: Your age, and credit history can affect how much you pay for your car insurance.
Tips on how to Prolong the Service Life of your Vehicle
Here are tips to help you get maximum longevity from your vehicle:
- Ensure you change your oil filter regularly. Ford advises that you do an oil change every time your car hits the 7,500-mile mark.
- Always remember to rotate your tires every time you take your car for servicing. This practice will increase your driving speed and make your tires last longer.
- Change your air filter every time your car reaches 15,000 to 30,000 miles.