Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

• Terrible turning radius - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Nick - June 4 - 7:19 pm

  Drove one of these for 20 minutes. Pulled a U-turn and the tire exploded. Now I have no friends and I have to walk everywhere. Would not recommend

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  All 97 5.4 L Knock on cold start up (overbore) - 1997 Ford F-150
  By Jerry Myers - January 20 - 1:21 pm

  Ford discovered a calibration error on the block boring machine that ended up over boring the early 5.4L engines for all of 97 and half of 98. This was discovered (especially up north) when many fleet trucks with this new modular engine began to knock like a rod bearing going out during cold weather start-up after approximately 85,000 miles. After engine warm up or in warm weather (well above freezing temperature) the knock subsides (metals expand in heat). Apparently, according to the tech bulletin issued in late 98-99, the cylinders in the 5.4 Ls were accidentally over bored causing piston slap when cold during startup, and stated it would not harm the engine or interfere with function or performance. After purchasing a 35,000 lariat 4x4, I found the news disappointing at best and little consolation for owners that have to listen to an annoying knock in the engine until warm-up of the engine or warm weather (which ever comes first). Mine has over 160,000 miles as of this note date, and has not burned oil, but simply irritates me that Ford would not do anything about it (expense of putting oversized pistons in these engines to cure the issue). WARNING: AVOID the 5.4L engine in the 97 and most of the 98 Ford vehicles at all cost. Beyond that theyre good engines!

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  My second Focus with a bad transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Holly - January 2 - 8:28 pm

  After two trips to the shop in under 30k miles, I thought my 2012 Ford Focus was a lemon so I traded it in and Holy Cow...my 2014 does exactly the same thing. The transmission shakes and jerks so badly that it scares my passengers. I feel like such a schmuck for buying this car twice , but I cant believe Ford gets away with this!!!

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  WORST CAR I EVER OWNED!!! - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Tim Chouinard - December 30 - 9:59 pm

  I have been buying Fords for quite some time now but I have to say this car has completely turned me off to Ford. I bought the car as a 2 year old lease return. THANK GOD, I had the sense to get the extended warranty. I paid an additional $2,000 for it and it has literally paid for itself 4 times. I have had to replace practically every component of the underbody of the car Bearings, Springs, steering column (twice), Tie Rods, both tail light housings at $550 apiece (not covered under the warranty), heat stopped working on passenger side. The list goes on. And the car doesnt even have 100,000 miles on it. I am literally picking it up at the dealership tomorrow and it is going right to another dealership where I am trading it in for a Grand Caravan. GOOD BYE!!!!!! Dont buy this car!!!!!!!

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  Fun at first! Nightmare when things go wrong! - 2015 Ford Edge
  By phil - December 24 - 1:01 pm

  I had my Ford Edge Edge towed to the local Ford dealership here in Idaho Falls, ID on November 23rd. It is now December 24th and it is sitting at the dealership under a couple feet of snow. I have just made my car payment for my reliable Ford vehicle. Two modules went out that control the remote entry and the push button ignition. I was stranded in the middle of winter with no heat and had to call for a tow. The dealership has been horrible with communication. I was sent to my regional customer service representative who said he would work on getting the part here faster. I was told the part would be here on December 17th. I finally called that evening to find out that the weather has slowed the shipping and it should be in on the 18th. Apparently the mule they are using walks very slow cause the shipment came in last night. It is now almost 11:09 am in Idaho and they still have not located the part. No vehicle for the weekend! Repairs made this year on my Ford Edge: -Main system that runs my climate and radio had to be replaced. -Rails on panoramic roof needed replacement. -Alarm stopped working on automatic tailgate stopped working. -Brake Booster tore. Known problem. -PTU seal leaking and stinks up car. Known problem -Two modules went out on remote entry and ignition. This caused my battery to fry and needed replacement. ****Please read the car complaints forums before you buy a Ford Edge***** I would not recommend this vehicle to a friend or family member!

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  Wort Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Stewart - December 23 - 8:33 am

  My 2006 FORD F150 4X$ 4.6 motor was probably the best looking land-boat (break out another thousand) that I ever owned. I purchased it as a lease return in 2008 with 26,000 miles on the odometer. Within 30 days the four wheel drive crapped out, costing the dealer $1,800.00 to repair. At another 30 days the instrument cluster dies and I had to wait two months for a new one. Three months later the left front vacuum operated locking hub froze and had to be replaced. Apparently this was a once a year issue for me (owned the truck for 5 years) as water and crud would work its way into the sealed unit. Then both front window regulators starting squealing so bad everytime the window went up or down, that they were replaced. Then the posi rear-end stopped being posi and the clutch disks had to be replaced. Then the real fun started. At about 120K miles the alternator died on the way to work. It was replaced but the the truck would engage in four wheel drive all by itself and the alternator would discharge all the way. Id have to stop the truck and shut everything off. Re-start and then wait (usually within minutes) before the whole sequence would start all over again. Three alternators later.....same thing. Traded it in on a RAM.

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  Expected a beater got this - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Anthony J. Pavone - December 21 - 9:53 pm

  I got this car as I was looking for cheap reliable transportation but ended up being able to lease a 2015. Had the car for about six months and so far havent had a bad experience. I wish the headlights threw a little farther and it tends to hesitate a little when you step on the gas but all around its performs pretty well. The gas mileage leaves little to be desired and it handles well. My major complaint is that with the material of the dashboard, the black interior looks incredibly dirty within a matter of days, but smoking in the car probably doesnt help. Overall I would recommend this car.

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  What a turd - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Hong - December 20 - 3:16 pm

  What a turd. I purchased on on April 2012 and its been a nightmare since. Its had build, mechanical, electrical issues from day one. I noticed the window switch would work sometimes. It was later replaced twice. Then I noticed the dash had a gap on the right hand side. Its had intermittent issues with MFT Sync so the thing had to be replaced. It was not detecting my phones. The dealership told me my phone was not compatible yet it worked when I first bought it. There was paint issue on the trunk as well. It was repainted then I noticed the spoiler coming undone so back it went. Now the fun part, the transmission, its been a nightmare since day one. Its been reprogrammed multiple times to no improvement. Since I cannot afford to trade it in or purchase a new car, Im stuck with this [non-permissible content removed]! Run, do not walk away from Ford and Kearny Pearson Ford in San Diego, CA. I will never buy an American car again!

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  What a GIANT mistake ! - 2013 Ford Escape
  By Dave - December 19 - 12:24 pm

  This car has been nothing but a giant headache sense we first got it . I cant count the times its been taken in for something . If its not a recall its the actual car malfunctioning. Here is a list of problems within the first two years : -Sensor was causing the car to flutter and shut off. -water pump -back window needs new switch -seat belts wont stop retracting -front anxel needed to be replaced -radio would not turn on -alternator needs to be replaced Im sure Im forgetting something but you get the point. But the most aggravating thing about this car is the placement of the battery . The battery is under the dash board , only the positive connector is sticking out . To get the battery out you have to remove the air filtration system . I cant imagine that ford is that stupid , I can only assume they did it on purpose . I will never buy another American made car . Thank you ford, dodge and Chevy for teaching me to never buy an American made car again. Im trading this garbage on four wheels in for a Toyota .

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  Disappointed, Nightmare - 2011 Ford F-150
  By Kenneth Crutchfield - December 19 - 3:47 am

  I have a 2011 F-150 3.5 twin turbo Eco Boost, I bought it with 50,000 miles from Bob Maxey Ford dealer in Detroit Michigan in 2013. It cost $29,000 I thought I had something. It road good for the first 6 month. I mad sure I kept my oil change because my brother have the same vehicle and had problems with his Timing chain which was costly. In November of 2015 my Truck stopped and would not run in the middle of Southfield Rd, Southfield MI, so I had it towed to Avis Ford. They wanted $1945.00 to diagnosis the engine because they could not till me what was wrong from the initial survey. I called Ford customer service because my warranty was over after 60,000 mile. I only had a little over 100,000 mile on this Built Ford Tough Truck. Ms. Jane stated that Ford would have nothing to do with the tear down of this truck and they may help me if I took it to a ford dealership. I went to the Veteran Administration for monetary help, and tried to qualify for their trust funds, they recommended several auto shop but I did not qualify. They said that I could afford to pay for my repairs. I has this truck towed to AAMCO They gave me a good price of $2388.00 for labor and parts, there is a Technical Service Bulletin on the Truck TSB1 and TSB2. Ford is very aware of the problems with the Timing Chain on this make an model of this truck. AAMCO repaired the timing chain issue and did a pressure test only to find that the pressure on cylinder 2 3 6 was 65 70 70 and should be 130 in order to be in spec. Now the head has to be sent to a shop for repair and the 4 valves per cylinder replaced. at least another $1500.00. I am hurt. paying on a Ford truck that broken down on me and my 13 year old son and I must still pay the truck note. I am communicating with Ford customer services but will not receive and help because it is not a Ford dealership. I am pissed because Ford Motor Company knows about this timing chain issue, they have a TSB explaining this issue, and this may cost me $4000.00 that I dont have. Built Ford Tough!!!!