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:

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  So far so good . . . - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Michael V Soiseth - November 16 - 1:04 am

  I bought a 2006 Ford Freestyle from my brother at about 90K miles, he'd had no big problems with it. I've put 25K on it and had no serious problems. So far so good. One small but aggravating problem is the wider back seat will not unlatch and go down. I've examined it and there seems to be no way to fix it with taking the seat out and that appears very difficult. Also the AWD doesn't seem to work. I can live with these problems. Other than that I've had no problems with it.

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  Not so Eco Friendly Eco Boost - 2012 Ford F-150
  By Brand - January 21 - 10:05 am

  Bought a 2012 F150 Lariat with 80K miles on it. It now has 90K miles on it and Im getting rid of it and heres why.... Pros: very comfortable ride, plenty of power when not having issues, lots of storage space and rear seat space, interior quality is nice. Cons: the ecoboost engine has been getting worse and worse gas mileage the more I drive it. I get about 12.5 mpg city and 18 hwy. As mentioned by several others, it has a serious lag problem when you go to accelerate past a vehicle. First time I had this happen I was traveling up a hill trying to pass a semi truck. The vehicle felt like it was going to shake apart and seems like the transmission is complete junk. Now Ive been getting a horrible humming noise any time theres rain or snow at slow speeds and while slowing down. Ive had 4 mechanics including ford look at it...I keep getting "weve never heard anything like this before." Ford has been useless in finding a solution to the issue. As nice as the truck looks and rides, its not worth the engine/transmission issues it will give you. Id look at at GMC in the same price range.

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  5 years with my Mustang GT - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By Michael - January 6 - 1:11 pm

  This car has been alot of fun to own. Biggest negative is the poor gas mileage in town. Highway mileage has been good. Dont make the mistake of trying to modify the car to make it better. Most aftermarket suspension parts only make it look better (lowering springs) but do not significantly improve the ride or handling. Engine has enough power and performance for street use.

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  Remember economy - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By TIm Reilly - January 5 - 2:14 pm

  This vehicle was purchased with economy in mind - I purchased it used at a ford Dealer with 14,000 miles. It has proven to have very good Fuel Mileage (38mpg) highway . I did not expect a soundproof air ride and the car has provided basic transportation as I expected. I do like the fold down back seat as I can carry longer items through the trunk. - The Radio is the worst I have ever seen lucky for the CD player. I have had the recalls reported taken care of at the dealer without incident. I do change my own oil and filter every 4,000 miles with genuine Moto-craft parts. At 45,000 I replaced the front brakes. Here is where I have issue - at 57,000 miles and just a year of ownership I brought the vehicle in for the yearly inspection sticker. I get a call within an hour that the car needs upper and lower balljoints it has a leaking front CV seal and bad bearing. The Ball joints were not available and had to be ordered so three days later I get the car back--- Call Ford and not covered by warranty - That is my issue-- If you build something stand behind your product. with only 57,000 highway miles and serviced regularly this is not abuse or neglect. this is poor quality. This is my review... the vehicle was not cheap I paid dealer price and expected serviceability for at least three uninterrupted years. Tires, breaks, maintenance --- ok, Needed-- However mechanical and operation breakdowns are not acceptable traits to be positive about.

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  Decent for local, bad for distance - 1999 Ford Escort
  By Josh - January 3 - 8:56 pm

  We were the second owners of this car and it was good at first but after making numerous trips of over 500 miles the car did not prove to be reliable. We had many problems with the belt and brakes. It was very small for us. Once we stayed local and drove only 3 mile a day, we were ok and didnt have prolems, but it always felt like the car was in the shop.

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  Never buy first year production/design car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By van kham - January 1 - 4:22 pm

  Bought this car used with 45k, it was to be my commuter car and a replacement to my older 2000 celica gts with 200k. First the goods: mpg is great, good looking car, good ride, most things are within arms reach, power is ok for little car, good cargo space. Now the bad: Yes, the world famous transmission issue with this car, car was at the dealer twice, things started to fall apart at 54k, little things, too much to list, got the car fixed and sold it at. I wish I had done my research before I bought the car. Yes, i am back driving my 2000 celica, she never give me problem in 7 years.

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  Radiator/transmission repeated problems. - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Brenda B. - December 30 - 3:00 pm

  My complaint is to Ford! Why after three (3) radiators being replaced in my 2006 EB Ford Explorer, they never told me they were having trouble with the replacement radiator company! So they kept putting the SAME brand radiator in and charging me labor each time. And AGAIN today, I am facing the same experience! I have been a loyal customer to them....this is the "thank"!

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  Materials matter - 2014 Ford Expedition
  By Melissa - December 30 - 10:27 am

  I owned a 2004 expedition (Eddie Bauer). I started having engine problems so very reluctantly I traded it in on a 2014 expedition. Now I wished I couldve kept it. The materials used in the seats, the trim and the carpet is soooo cheap. My seats already have a worn pattern. The trim around 3 doors is coming off and my rear heat doesnt work. I am very disappointed. I absolutely loved my truck before and loved the way it drove. The 2014 drives well but as I said, "material matters".

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  Ford Focus are for crap 2014 - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Juan Santana Jr. - December 29 - 10:32 am

  My Ford Focus is a 2014 and having problems since the day I bought it with a recall on the Transmission and yes they Fixed it because its covered under our warranty, been having oil changes there at the dealership where I purchased this car and the recent oil change that I had done now has a oil leak and now the transmission is acting up again. I will be complain to Ford company and getting all the info I need and getting to see if I can get the Refund on the Lemon Law.. Very sad that we have to spend so much on these cars and they are crap and not to mention that the mileages on these are for crap as well.

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  2010 F150 super crew platinum - 2010 Ford F-150
  By KF - December 26 - 11:35 pm

  Original tires wore out at 33k miles , headliner saged after 41k miles (Ford now uses Velcro to attach headliner to roof...REALLY?) after 2 trips to Ford they finally sent it to upholstery shop to glue headliner. Now at 46k miles passenger heater and defrost are out! this is my 5th F150 (all bought new) since 1998 and is my LAST...Ford , Ive had it...next truck/suv wont be a Ford. Oh and the 2005 F150 i had the transmission went out at 20k miles and even though it was under warranty it was a NIGHTMARE getting Ford to replace it...after 8-9 trips to try and fix it they FINALLY replaced it...think long and hard before you buy an F150