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:

• 

  Transmission Unsafe - 2014 Ford Focus
  By baltazarre - March 18 - 2:21 pm

  7 months in - stranded twice by transmission errors. First one said "Transmission Overheating - Stop When Safe". Dealer in CT worked on it for five days but did not enter work into Ford system. This time received "Transmission Failure" message and car went out of gear while driving. Almost rear ended. Brought to original dealer in NJ. They found a code for a Service Bulletin about not being able to put it in reverse, which wasnt the problem, but cant find anything else wrong. Left with unsafe car and no options. Absolute junk

• 

  Wind noise - 2015 Ford Escape
  By james chatterton - March 11 - 2:57 pm

  Purchased an Escape SE a few weeks ago and have had problem with wind noise. The dealer states the problem is with outside mirror and A Pillar which is a Ford design flaw and is not correctable.

• 

  My Explorer after 30,000km - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By musicman12456 - March 10 - 2:32 pm

  Ive now had my Ex for 7 months and put 30,000km on the car so I figured it was time for a proper review after driving it for more than a few weeks. 2011 Ex Limited AWD bought used with 69,000km on it. Both key fobs stopped working when more than a foot away from the car. Ford is unable to fix the issue. Shaking from front end when accelerating from a stop. Ford cant find the issue. Rust on the inside door panels (car is always spotless). Knocking from suspension when going over speed bumps. Ford cant find the issue. Stereo gets very muddy at higher than normal volume. Hazard light button started ejecting the CD $1300 to replace the complete head unit.

• 

  BLOWN ENGINE :( - 2011 Ford Edge
  By Donna Z THomas - February 24 - 3:25 pm

  2011 Ford Edge with a bad water pump that blew up and ruined the engine at 91,000 miles. Light came on, car jerked, pulled over and towed to Ford Dealer. Blown water pump caused engine oil and antifreeze to mix and destroy the engine. Now the car dealer needs $5000 to replace with a rebuilt engine. Took a check for car, not going to purchase another Ford at this time.

• 

  Gas tank fell off!! - 2002 Ford Focus
  By jeje2 - February 22 - 5:58 pm

  2002, only 56,000 miles, very well maintained & garaged. I drove 150 freeway miles, filled the tank, and while crossing an intersection toward the freeway on ramp, the tank fell down and one side was dragging on the ground. Could have been fatal pretty scary. Luckily some angel mechanics spent 2 hours, jacked up the tank and re-secured it. The front bolt came out, and they said it appeared it was bolted into the wrong hole to begin with one with no threads! And Consumer Reports rates this car - year and model as one of the most unreliable of all.

• 

  About my 2005 Ford Freestyle SEL - 2007 Ford Freestyle
  By bruce1458 - February 15 - 4:14 pm

  So far I have not have some of those problems that some Freestyle owners have. I now have 64,000 miles, and still under the Ford ESP Warranty. The ride is a bit bumpy, gas mileage should be better, My biggest problem now is the door locks freezes up when snow or when temp falls below 25 degrees, then the doors wont close. I had to hold the driver door while driving. Not good. I received a Recall letter about eight years ago took it to a Dealer and thought I was fixed, come to find out nothing was done. In Maryland sometimes we our Winter is not as bad as the western or nothern States. Otherwise not a bad car.

• 

  Purchase the extended warranty!! - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By shosho62 - February 11 - 11:09 am

  We have had tons of problems with ours, not regular wear and tear. Im in the service dept monthly. Seat AC motor, seat tracks replaced (Im not heavy), trunk struts!?!?, on and on. Drivers door handle just broke, not covered on warranty. We would be broke if not for the ESP, scared to see what happens when the warranty runs out. This is Not a quality vehicle.

• 

  Those nice Chrome 19" Wheel Covers - 2011 Ford Edge
  By rcestare - February 4 - 9:01 pm

  When you purchase an Edge or other Ford product, make sure you ask what the various parts are made of. My "Chrome Clad" wheels are actually Chrome "Foil" bonded to plastic. Who hasnt hit a pothole or scraped a curb when parking... if you do you cannot simply buy a replacement "hub cap" ... you have to buy the entire wheel at a cost well above $800 per wheel!!!!! When I wrote to Ford Executives about the matter ... they simply said "buyer beware"... Fool me once shame on you. I will NEVER buy a Ford again. I feel lied to and cant help but wonder what else is plastic that we think is metal??????

• 

  Noisy and poor transmission - 2011 Ford Escape
  By mvirgolici - February 3 - 10:14 am

  Im working in automotive industry as engineer for the last 30 years. I bought this new 2011 Escape in Canada for my wife as she liked it during the driving test. I wouldnt buy it for myself. The car is noisy, a combination of engine, exhaust and poor sound insulation. I also knew from customer reviews that transmission for the 4 cyl engine is a concern. From day one, an average 4 times per week the transmission STRONGLY jerks when I reduce the speed below 25 miles per hour or shift in reverse at start. Canadian dealer tried to fix it without any luck, now living in US the Americans tried as well, they just gave up saying by loading the latest shift software there is nothing else to do.

• 

  be careful! - 2012 Ford Flex
  By dontbuyxt - January 11 - 9:15 am

  I have a 2012 ford flex. I just hit 60,000 miles and with it has come a fuel pump failure! I took it to the dealer who fixed it. Of course, the repair is not complete and know I can smell gas after parking my car in my garage. Oh Joy! More time at the dealer trying to get them to fix an issue they created with an initial repair attempt. Very Frustrating Ford! I feel the car has been pretty good up to this point. I like the strong engine and ride quality. It is a good car for long car trips. I am very concerned about the long term quality - Ford is exactly known for quality. I had to have the brakes (pads and rotors!) replaced around 55k. This car may be better for a lease!