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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  Ford Fool - 2000 Ford Focus
  By BostonHarold - September 27 - 9:47 am

  I bought this new after having a great experience with a 93 Escort. There have been many recalls, transmission leak, ignition column broke, a hole in a PVC tube (at least this is what the dealer called it). Normally, I like to keep my vehicles for 100k miles, but its broken down 3 times this year already. I will never buy a Ford again. The resale value is terrible too.

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  Not worth the money (at all!) - 2000 Ford Focus
  By CP - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Constant brake problems, car feels like it is slowly falling apart under 30,000 miles. Will never buy Ford again!

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  Cheaply made car at a premium price - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By David Smith - September 11 - 12:41 pm

  Ive had this car since October 2013 and over 70,000 miles. It has had at least four unique recalls and now a fifth that took over a year for Ford to figure out how to repair. The trim is very cheap and general craftsmanship is poor. The gaps between fenders and the both the hood and trunk are variable by side. The trunk is so far out of line its noticeable from a distance. The front end bottoms out and comes off on the sides. There are rattles throughout the car, but especially in the drivers side rear door. The gas mileage is substantially less than expected. It runs well though and brakes really well. Handling is good. Generally, it is a comfortable but small feeling car. Overpriced with rapid depreciation.

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  Go alot to have it fixed - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Randy - September 7 - 7:12 am

  Fuel pump fails ,erg fails ,power windows brake easy , cant open the door

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  weak performance - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By mad dog - September 5 - 12:06 pm

  Transmission always clunked or slipped. Rebuilt one is better. Small things always break interior door handles, speedometer, power door locks, etc. Poor gas mileage and alignment needs adjusting annually.

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  piece of junk - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By piece-0-junk - August 26 - 4:29 pm

  Whenever Ford Credit called for the payment, we had to explain to them that the van repairs where costing us more each month than the payments and its tough to make the payments, plus the repairs (of course, they could care less). The transmission went out at 44k, the front end is build so weak that the struts went out at 37k, and the front brakes warps so bad that they have been replaced 3 times in 5 years. Of course each thing that had to be repaired went out after warranty expiration. It is amazing how they have engineered a vehicle to fail almost as soon as the warranty expires. If only they would put that engineering skill to good use to build a reliable vehicle.

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  Avoid this vehicle at all costs! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Jane H - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for approximately 2 years and I absolutely HATE this car. It has been terribly unreliable. I realize that I have high miles on the vehicle, however I do not think that a 2 year old vehicle should have to have the alternator replaced after 35,000 miles. Right now it is stitting in my garage collecing dust becasue yet again it has another problem. I am done with Fords.

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  Thirsty as a toad in the desert - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By TourGuide - August 24 - 10:11 pm

  Could you live with single digit mpg? It happened to me. This single fact ruined my ownership experience. 18 mpg on the highway (after 10,000 miles), but I didnt drive it on the highway much. Low quality audio for a $48K vehicle - lose the Visteon garbage Ford! Chattering plastic parts in the rear liftgate took forever to locate and correct (did this myself). Rear axle seals went bad at 7000 miles. I desperately wanted to like this vehicle, and I did until the economics of driving it and the problems started up. This was my first big ticket vehicle purchase and I feel I was reasonable about my expectations. My idea of $48K worth of vehicle and Fords dont match. Bitterly disappointed with Ford.

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  Disgruntled Ford owner - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Shirley L. Kimbro - August 23 - 5:30 pm

  My 2000 Ford Windstar SEL has given me nothing but trouble. The transmission had to be replaced when it was less than 2 years old ($2200). The transmission was replaced AGAIN 2 weeks ago ($2900), and its in the service dept right now because the "Check Transmission" and the Overdrive light is still flashing. Its the WORST vehicle Ive ever had. I will never spend my money on another Ford vehicle. The van should have been "recalled" for mechanical defects. The electrical doors and locks have failed.

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  Engine and Tranny - 2001 Ford Escort
  By Angelicdreamz - August 17 - 4:15 pm

  We bought this car used and it seems to do ok for the first year after purchasing it, however at the beginning of this summer, our AC went out (bad if you live in phx az), our tranny had to be rebuilt, and now it wont run and needs a new engine. We just passed the mark of to many miles for our waranty, so now we are stuck with a car we still owe 6k on and they want us to pay 3.5k for a new engine. We have no other transportation, we have had 6 tires go bad, (even though we have not been rough on them, its from the heat and they ere rubbing on something), 2 new rims (bent when bought), tranny, ac, engine, and 3 bulbs are bad 1 front and 2 back.