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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  LIKE THE ENERGIZER!!! IT JUST KEEPS GOIN AN GOIN!! - 1998 Ford Escort
  By mmfm - December 24 - 1:20 pm

  Ive had my 98 zx2 forever. She never lets me down. Im the third owner. The guy b 4 me literally drove the wheels off of it. didnt change the oil for 3 years over 41000 miles. when i got it did a tune up an a oil change.I only run the best. 93 octane ngk11 plugs an 8mm wires. castrol sytec fully sythetic. has 336,588 miles on it right now. still rips. took it to quaker drag strip ran a 15.3 at 91mph. bone stock. blew quite a few doors off it its time an will continue til it dyes on me. Its a fact if u take care of ur car ur car will take care of u. i have replace everthing on it once or maybe twice but i definatly got my moneys worth !!!!!5 STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  My Touch System failed at 770 mi - 2011 Ford Edge
  By denar - December 22 - 4:02 pm

  My Touch system is completely dead. Shut itself down on Saturday - dealer said has to order module - no idea when it will be in. Went to another dealer who told us he has had FOUR of these vehicles back in the past week and also has no idea when the module will be available. Meanwhile we are ready to leave for 4 months in Florida but cant go in this car. Im sick - disgusted - totally p***ed off at Ford. Love my 2008 Edge and thought we were buying a second great vehicle - think again.

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  Great Car for Commuting - 2004 Ford Focus
  By mike_231 - December 21 - 10:33 am

  Purchased in 2007 with 30k miles, just sold with 66k miles. Overall a great daily driver. Got between 28 and 32 MPG in mostly highway driving. Reliability was above average - only items I replaced were front brake rotors and sway bar end links (a common problem?). Otherwise, I only performed routine maintenance at the intervals suggested in the owners manual. Good braking and cornering feel with decent acceleration. Complaints include strange options (had PW, PL, power mirrors and remote keyless entry, but no cruise control or tilt steering column), and everything under the car was rusted at the time I sold it. Overall, though, a great value.

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  Love the design - not the transmission or starter! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By fiestyone - December 13 - 8:56 am

  I actually have an automatic & got it in Oct. after a month long wait! Up until winter hit in Minnesota I loved it. Very stylish, comfortable & quiet. I did a comparison with a Honda Fit before deciding on the Fiesta. The Fit just didnt have the get up & go that Fiesta did. Anyway cold weather hit & my Fiesta does not start well. I sometimes hear a grinding noise when starting. Twice now my car wont go into reverse or drive - very frustrating not being able to rely on your car when you need it - especially one with only 4,000 miles on it! What gives??? Also, doesnt feel the safest with roads that are part ice & part dry - wheels tend to throw the car around a lot.

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  Plenty Left at 150,000 Miles - 1997 Ford Escort
  By bisjoe - December 11 - 5:52 pm

  My 97 just got a new clutch, just before that a new serpentine belt. Other than those recent jobs only brakes, tires and oil changes and its still getting me to work every day at 32 mpg. For a cheap little car the quality has been surprisingly good, even great.

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  Sure footed ride - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Anonymous - December 7 - 2:00 am

  92,000 miles on 5.0 L and it still looks and runs almost like new. Terrible gas mileage(16)and some engine noise. Ive pulled a 16 ft box trailer all over, it has plenty of power and suspension, just doesnt have the long wheel base for stability.Love the short turning radius, tight suspension, and awd traction. No significant repairs other than the heater controls are shot, cant turn it off - damper? On the second set of brake pads and have just recently started noticing rotor warp on original set. Still uses zero oil between changes. On the second set of tires. Original muffler and suspension!! No rust. This vehicle has been babied, but it is still runs and looks great at 14.

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  Great all around car - 1999 Ford Escort
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car.I bought it in 2004 with 17k and currently has 106k.Im not a FORD lover,I only bought it cause it was in my price range and got good reviews.Ive fixed only brakes, rotors, belt, tie rod and flex pipe piece ($1050).Just moved cross country with almost 900lbs of stuff.No problems handling it at 85 mph. Does display the common rough idle which most escorts do just due to the type of engine.So far it beat the life of my parents chevy malibu and dodge intrepid, which blew head gaskets and transmissions before 100k.Im not a car guy,dont prefer one brand over another,but this car doesnt die, starts every time. Not much to look at. Gets you from A to B with no problems at all.

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  Tough to go American after this - 2011 Ford Edge
  By xweb10 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  We are coming from Lexus 350. The Edge has the looks and the tech that drew us to lease it for 3 years. It drives like a much bigger car and is a bit sluggish due to AWD weight. Unless you need it for snow, skip AWD or get the sport with the larger engine. After the first week, we needed to replace the entire windshield because the rain sensing wiper sensor fell off! Instead of just gluing it back on, dealer order new windshield. The Sync system is VERY buggy. Sometimes the rear view camera screen is black. It has frozen while connecting to bluetooth. It does not connect well to a blackberry (dealer said that it was made for an iPhone so too bad).

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  Dont expect over 100K miles out of this - 2000 Ford Escort
  By hopingsoul - December 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 700 miles on it and it performed very well with no problems until 115K miles the engine blew. I changed the oil every 3-4K miles, so I thought it would last. It had this most annoying vibration after about 50K miles and I was told it was the motor mounts. Then I started working 60 miles away and it performed fine, except for the vibrating. I was sitting in traffic for about 30 minutes, no over heating, no warning and it stalled and that was it, theres a hole in the engine. Other than poor life span, I thought it was a great car. The only thing changed was an alternator. A parts house told me these engines are notorious for blowing unexpectedly.

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  Great family hauler - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By abmp - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Have 85k on our expedition and it has been a great vehicle. This vehicle does it all. We tow our camper, plow the driveway, and load it up for vacation (storage box on roof, basket on rear hitch). You cant find a crossover that will be this versatile. Gas mileage is not great but try to pack a family in a prius. Had a few minor problems but I usually fix myself. Overall an excellent vehicle and plan on purchasing another one in a few years.