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Who wants short-lived longevity? This sound like an oxymoron, and I don’t know about you, but I ain’t no ox moron. Without the clumsy play on words, the Ford Excursion is one of the most short-lived SUVs ever made, but it can offer impressive levels of longevity. This is the short-lived longevity I’m talking about here. Instead of going down another grammatically awful rabbit hole, let’s learn more about how long this big Ford SUV can last.

What’s the expected Ford Excursion longevity?

Ford Excursion parked next to a forest - the Ford Excursion longevity is incredible
Ford Excursion | Ford

The Excursion is the largest Ford SUV ever made. Many models are still on the road with more than 500,000 miles on the odometer. These long-lasting SUVs can easily hit 600,000 miles or more without needing expensive repairs.

This big Ford SUV shared a platform with the first-generation Ford Super Duty pickup truck. The Excursion offers the same durability and capability but in SUV form. Many Excursion owners love the flexibility offered with this strong SUV that can easily handle truck-like loads in the cargo area.

How long was this Ford SUV built?

Owners who still have their Ford Excursions enjoy vehicles made two decades ago. This big Ford SUV was produced from September 30, 1999, until September 30, 2005, for model years 2000-2006. Excursion sales were strong during the first year but quickly declined as demand dwindled.

Does the Excursion last longer than a Chevy Suburban?

The average longevity of the Suburban is between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. This doesn’t hold a candle to the Ford Excursion’s longevity of nearly 600,000 for many models. This big Ford SUV can easily last several lifetimes compared to other vehicles when properly maintained.

What engines were offered in the Ford Excursion?

2004 Ford Excursion Limited parked on a city street
2004 Ford Excursion Limited | Ford

The impressive engine lineup is a big part of the Ford Excursion’s longevity. The base engine was the 5.4-liter Triton V8 with an upgraded 6.8-liter Triton V10 engine as the gas-only models. Above these two were two Power Stroke diesel V8 engines, a 7.3-liter model and a 6.0-liter version, which weren’t offered during the same model years.

Were there any Excursion problems?

Every vehicle has some recalls, and this big Ford SUV wasn’t immune to them. During its time in the market, 12 recalls were issued for the Excursion. An additional problem arose, shortening the Ford Excursion longevity of some models. The 5.4-liter Triton V8 engine became problematic. This engine is known to throw spark plugs because the threading isn’t deep enough to hold the plugs in place during compression.

Is the Ford Excursion a reliable SUV?

Although many models of this super-sized SUV have reached more than one-half million miles, RepairPal only gives the Excursion a 3.0 out of 5.0 for reliability. Still, that’s an above-average score and one that many owners can be proud of.

The Excursion is a story of getting out what you put in

Owners experiencing the greatest Ford Excursion longevity have a few things in common. Chief among them is meticulous attention to the maintenance schedule. Some owners only use synthetic oil, others have extremely strict maintenance habits, and others drive their SUVs conservatively. Like any other vehicle, the more care you take in keeping this big Ford SUV in top condition, the more likely it will hit 600,000 miles or more.

The Ford Excursion is a story of short-lived longevity, making us wish Ford would bring it back.

Related Why Did a 22-Year-Old Ford Excursion With 100,000 Miles Sell for $67,500?

Why Did a 22-Year-Old Ford Excursion With 100,000 Miles Sell for $67,500?