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:

• 

  1999 Mistake - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Thomas Wolfe - November 23 - 9:55 am

  Bought new. Transmission started to slip just past 36k after expiration of warranty. Top heavy - almost rolled. Replaced 4 wheel drive shift motor twice - poor design. Replaced idle air control valve at 40k. Poor fuel economy especially with air on. NO POWER / ACCELERATION. No resale value. Pluses. Great in snow! Other than yawing feels quite safe. Plenty of interior room great storage - good visibility.

• 

  Dont Buy This Car - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Blaine Kemsley - November 20 - 6:17 pm

  We have had more costs for repairs for this car than the car itself cost 5 years ago, and way more than its worth today. Everything from the engine to the wheel covers have been trouble. We have had to repair or replace the radiator, wheel bearings (all of them), power steering pump, windshield wiper motor, oxygen sensors, exhaust manifold gaskets, head gaskets, serpentine belt pulley, front axle, dozens of lug bolts and the silly sunburst wheel covers 6 times. Why they have a wheel cover on an alloy wheel is beyond me. I would never recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Ill Never Buy a Ford Again! - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By Never by a Ford - November 14 - 10:16 pm

  Pretty good vehicle until you get to about 75,000 miles, then it falls apart. Transmission, oil cooler hoses, axle seals, driver lock switch, rear drivers side door window assembly (fell apart inside door), windshield washer switch (sometimes it works, sometimes is doesnt), alternator.... (I wonder each day what will fail next). Gas mileage is terrible. I own a Suburban which is more powerful, refined, comfortable, and out tows the Ford hands down. Take my advice: If you want a domestic truck, buy a Chevy. If you want a reliable car, buy a Honda or Toyota. By the way, my Expedition is in the shop as I write this review!

• 

  Ford Loses A LOYAL one - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Marc - November 12 - 10:26 pm

  After leasing Ford Mustangs for 12 years that covered 3 GTs fully equipped - I learned the hard lesson of buying a Ford. My last Mustang GT had so many various problems that Ford continued to ignore that my engine blew with 61k miles. I have had 2 tune ups. oil changes on time, a new fuel filter, 5 new coils and so on. Ford takes no responsibility in their failures and the defective Mustang. I am never never going to buy a American car again. Not only because it was a horror on wheels but worse - a corporate giant like Ford wanted to rip me off for $7,000 dollars to fix again - (my mechanic $1,000) - never again will I be caught in American cars. I learned my lesson and they lost a customer forever.

• 

  Lemon - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By JD - November 10 - 11:46 pm

  Purchased the car with 53,000 miles from a dealer. Within a month the transfer case was leaking which was replaced by the dealer. At 78,000 had to replace the heads due to coolant disappearing. At 82,000 unable to control the temperature, full blast heat. To fix this problem the dashboard must be taken out to get to the heater box to replace the damaged part at a cost of $1,100. The mechanic stated that this is a common problem with Ford Explorers. Terrible gas mileage in town 14-15 mpg, highway 17-18 mpg. Owned many Fords before, this one has been the worst.

• 

  Hybrid Rip Off - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Moe - November 8 - 8:10 am

  I paid $10,000 extra for a Ford Hybrid Escape that doesnt come close to the advertised mileage. The Ford dealership doesnt want to hear from me anymore. They chose to insult me instead and say the difference in fuel economy is due to my "heavy foot". I have offered to have the dealership take my car for a month and prove to me that the Ford Escape Hybrid is capable of getting the 33 to 38 mpg that it is advertised at; however, they will not do that. Basically they have told me to pursue the lemon law. Ten thousand dollars buys a lot of gas even at todays prices.

• 

  Broken Gas Gauge - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By 4work - November 4 - 5:18 pm

  This car was provided by my employer for work. We have had it in the shop 3 times and going on 4 due to the gas gauge not working. Dealer says Ford knows about the problem and hasnt been able to find a permanent fix and also there are not enough cars with the problem to issue a recall. We were told to try different gas and a fuel additive (said it sometimes works on other ones), problem is employer provides gas via their own gas station which results in us having to pay more for gas, just for the chance that that will correct the problem. Since it is unreliable, I use my own car so I dont get stranded. I would not recommend a Ford product due to them not willing to correct the issue.

• 

  10 Reasons why you shouldt own a Focus - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Save your marriage - November 1 - 2:00 am

  1)Record recalls and svce maintenance. 2)Inadequate driver seating for folks over 6 ft tall.(Im 6 2" and have to recline the seat so I dont hit my head on the roof 3)A/C is a joke. 4)Engine is noisy and rattly after 40K miles. 5) Interior head fabric separates from roof after 42K miles. 6)Headlight falls out at 25K miles. 7)Cupholders (console) cant accomodate starbucks or Dunkin Donuts medium size cups. 8)Original Goodyear tires are too expensive for such cheap car... $164 to replace a tire when I drove into a pot hole. 9) Motor in two power windows broke at 20K miles. 10)Ford Focus is a terrible wedding anniversary gift

• 

  Money Pit - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By Junkcar - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Car is in the shop more than on the road. Over the last three years, I have spend more on repairs than on paying the principle of my loan. Tansmittion went at 39500 miles (36000 mile warrenty), had the roters resurfaced twice, brakes replaced 3 times (first time at 22000 miles, rack and pinnion steering replaced, emissions problems, fuel injectors repaired, etc. Buy something else, anything else. Nothing but problems. A great car if you would rather drive a rental while yours is in the shop, or if you have an uncontrollable urge to throw money away.

• 

  Weird noises and smells - 2001 Ford Escape
  By runnerboy - October 31 - 10:00 am

  At first the Escape was great. That only lasted about 2,000 miles. My wiper motor gave out on me coming down a mountain in a downpour, ended up a recall. Smelled gas with the air on, said the brand new air conditioning had bacteria and fungus growing in it, cleaned the cabin air filter, no smell, for a while. Noises in the front end, ended up being loose bolts in the steering, noise is back again. Low coolant light comes on, car out of warranty, Extended contract should cover, doesnt, waste of money, dont bother. Cant get road grime out of plastic underpinnings and the interior is looking really worn.