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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  Nice little car. - 1999 Ford Escort
  By Al - December 19 - 7:47 pm

  Bought this car last week and drove it 125 miles home. So far so good. It sat for 2 years but cranked right up with a jump.

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  Over 300k - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Frederick - February 18 - 12:50 pm

  It's in the shop today $1200. Don't know how much longer the old gal will last but it has certainly performed well.

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  Decent but nothing special - 2021 Ford Escape
  By David - November 17 - 12:33 am

  I was given this car as a loaner after the service tech at Ford wrecked my Fusion (long story, don’t ask) The 2021 Escape I was given as a loaner was a fairly basic model, not too many frills. But it did still have a touchscreen sound system with apple CarPlay which was cool. The overall build quality seemed ok, not impressive but not Chrysler awful either. The seats were decently comfortable but I can’t say how they’d do on a long road trip as I was just using this car to commute to and from my job. One major plus is this car picks up and goes fairly quickly, making passing slow drivers on the road a task it performs quite easily. Be warned, these cars come with a “stay in your lane” type of system. So if you attempt to change lanes and forget to signal, the car won’t let you and that can get annoying but it will get you in the habit of always using your blinker Overall the car was decent, it performed its job well enough, however I can’t see myself buying one of these. Maybe a higher end model perhaps, but I prefer my Fusion sedan which Ford sadly no longer makes. This particular Escape I could see being sold to a rental fleet. It will get you where you’re going, and that’s about it

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  27 years old and still going strong. 1995 AWD Extend, captains chairs - 1995 Ford Aerostar
  By M D TS - October 28 - 5:03 am

  This has been an unbelievably great van. It has been our family car since I bought it new in 1995. It has 220,000 miles on it and has been my long distance commuter car, and has been driven up and down the east coast on annual vacations. It has been the perfect family car with removable middle and rear seats, folding back seat and enough room for long range family camping trips, carrying kayaks on the roof and four bikes on the back. It has weathered 2 significant accidents, and this beast has won both times. The biggest concern I have is the availability of repair parts as time goes on. Even after all these years, it can pull our small travel trailer, albeit slow, up steep hills. The transmission has never been replaced. Inside, the some of the side panels need to be screwed in tighter after years of jiggling. I absolutely love this van for its reliability, space, comfort, and family memories. I want to keep it forever, and figure that over the years, the original purchase price would have be less than $1000 a year. A great bargain!

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  2010 Ford Flex - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Ashley - June 1 - 4:01 pm

  Such a great car! I own a 2010 flex limited and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else! Pushing 245k still going strong it’s spacey and comfortable a great family car!

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  Such a great car I had to get 3 more! - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By Trentin R Huffman - December 10 - 7:47 am

  My first was actually a 1979 heritage edition. Awesome car very comfortable! After that I got a 1993 mn12 car. I put head gaskets in the 3.8 3 different times but I got 700000 miles out of the car! I quit driving it because it was falling apart! So I had to get another one. This time it was a 96 with the 3.8. Also a great car! Still runs and drives today! I also purchased a 1995 with the 4.6 v8 and I love this car and Ive drove it all over! From iowa to Illinois, from iowa to Minnesota, Iowa to Wisconsin, the only problems Ive had with the car are the spark plug wires and valve cover gaskets and I put new suspension parts in the front end. But as long as I can keep finding these cars in decent shape Ill continue to drive them!

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  Minor issues but still excellent - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By Jacob - October 15 - 9:49 am

  We had the Explorer for almost 10 years now and it has been a reliable,well built quality machine, yes when we bought it it did have a problem with sync were the sync screen would be black but our local ford dealership took care of the sync in 2014 and 6 years later the sync is still running smoothly and no blackouts,reliability has been excellent, no surprise there our vehicle before was a 2001 wind star which has been very durable as well, but the 2011 Explorer is on a whole another level, ford was good in the 2000s, now they are even better, they improved a lot that’s for sure, we will definitely buy more ford products in the future

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  Life Saver - 1991 Ford Festiva
  By BLG - September 16 - 10:07 pm

  My 1991 Ford Festiva was the best car I ever had. I bought her from a soldier in my unit, basically just taking over the car payments. Took her from Alabama to Texas, and then from Texas to Missouri. Eventually the gear shift became difficult to maneuver but still manageable, the sun roof began leaking-pack a towel, there was never any A/C-drive fast, and she’d shake at 45mph! But I kept her because she was reliable, fun to drive, cheap on gas/ car insurance, and I was a broke single soldier mom. In May 2000, my career was going well but unfortunately, I gave in to peer pressure...my family and friends told me, “You can’t drive that tuna can around anymore, your soldiers (Basic Training Privates) will clown on you.” I regret giving her away to this day...however there were many fun memories. Once, she went missing from where I parked her-soldiers had carried her off and put her inches between two light poles so I couldn’t get her out. Then, six soldiers squeezed into her to go out for lunch with me. The best day was when I scrimped and saved $140 to buy new tires, only to find out at the store-the tires were on sale and each tire was now $9, so my daughter and I got to go out for dinner! I was able to make ends meet and get to where I needed to be because of my Ford Festiva.

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  Solid as A Rock - 2014 Ford F-150
  By Bray Walker - April 15 - 11:06 am

  I have had three and my Dad has had three F150’s and everyone has been as gd as a truck could be my current truck has 257k on it and one repair a alternator nothing else My dad had 332k on his last one without any repairs he would still be driving it but somebody ran a red light and hit him.

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  Still Going after all these miles.. - 2009 Ford F-150
  By Ken Marlow - February 24 - 10:36 pm

  I bought my 2009 F150 XLT JAN.2011. 57000 MILES..UNTOUCHED..!!! I happen to be on the lot,when the older man brought it in to sale.. I had been waiting on the dealership to find me a particular dodge truck I thought I wanted.. After driving the dodge overbite I returned it.too claustrophobic.. No leg room. There it was coming out of their carwash..I ask how about that one.. But thats a Ford..??? Salesman replied.. Dodge is out I replied no leg room.. We just got it in... Dont care,is it for sale or not..??? He would check.. Came Back not yet.. Ok..Im headed couple blocks down to Ford dealership. Thanks.. As I pulled into ford the owner of preffered auto called me back to his dealership.He said 23. I said 16.5 He said 19.2 I replied 17 We landed on 17.5.. 290000 miles later.. Normal fluid change intervals by the book and tune ups 3sets of brake pads and tires.. Still has original battery in it.. Dont use any oil shifts smoother than a new one.. 4.6 V8 6 speed auto O/D.. Towed a 8500 lb. Boat to Orlando after I drove to Milwaukee and picked it up.. Only thing tired on this truck is me..