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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  Too many problems. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By amanda - July 16 - 5:42 pm

  I have had the car for 4 years and it now has 75,000 miles on it. 1- Not long after purchasing the car, it started jerking when I would try to take off. I advised Ford of this and they said it was normal. Then they finally sent out a recall for the transmission. 2- Car was a year old- driving down the road I started smelling something. Ford advised us to have the car towed to them. I did and they advised it was an overfill of something and it was just getting rid of the overfill (sorry, cant remember what it was). While the tow truck driver was helping us load the car, the front end of the car scrubbed the ground and scratched the paint off the car (a lot). Ford advised us it was the tow companys responsibility and the tow company advised us it was Fords responsibility (because Ford called them). End the end, no one took the blame so it is still messed up. 3- I had the car exactly 3 years when the driver side window quit working. Of course, no longer under warranty. 4- (July, 2016) Had the car for 3.5 years and the rear wheel and hub assembly needs replaced (not a cheap repair). 5- (October, 2016) the water pump busted. Not very happy with all this repairs and costs. Now thinking I should sell the car before something else goes wrong.

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  Never again! - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Colleen - July 13 - 4:08 pm

  After driving my first brand new car is was immediately plagued with problems. When we purchased the van we were assured that we would be able to tow a tent trailer (<3,000 lbs). Initially the check engine light came on. Nothing wrong at the dealer. Dont know what the computer has been trying to tell us over the past 9 years but now Ive placed a sticker over the light and just ignore it! Right after the warranty ran out 40k miles, the transmission went out! Took to a transmission shop who said you cant haul with a front wheel drive auto! This is my 3rd transmission in 9 years and I poke along the road with my kids! Never, ever buying another Ford even if they give it to me!

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  My Ford Nightmare - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Ron Melancon - July 9 - 1:00 am

  I bought a new 1999 Windstar and thank goodness I got the extended warranty. Because after 36,000 miles, every five months something has gone wrong. It has cost the warranty company over $18,000 dollars to date. It is so bad they did not offer to extend my coverage. Now the van has only 80,000 miles on it and my wife wants to get rid of it. Why in the world would anybody produce a car and have it break down so often? Here is some of what happened: 38,000 replaced transmission 42,000 replaced full rack and pinion steering 48,000 new head gasket 52,000 new left ball joint and strut, also checked weird thump on the driver side, did not find anything 58,000 new cold start valve.

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  Water Soaked Piece of JUNK - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By WaterSoakedLemon - July 8 - 5:56 am

  This car is junk. The quality of this vehicle is so substandard that they left a 3" unsealed seam that lets water in causing electrical system failures and the car to become such a mildewed, mold covered stinking mess that Ford dealers wont even take the car as trade in. (Not an isolated incident. Search "2005-2007 MUSTANG LEAKS" and watch what you find.) Ford finds this kind of defect acceptable. They will patch it and send you on your way, regardless of any other damage that might have occurred). If you anticipate customer service and any assistance from Ford, dont hold your breath. These cars come with a taillight warranty, when they cant see your taillights your warranty is over.

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  I wont do this again! - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Bruce Heckman - July 4 - 3:36 pm

  Car has been an expensive nightmare -- head gasket repair, transmission repair, bad electrical system, swallowed a valve. We were initially pleased with this van, but it has been a non-stop money pit. The service at the Ford dealers has been the worst automotive experience of my life. Never again.

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  STEP AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE! - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Marty - July 4 - 1:23 pm

  My Ford Escape is self-destructing as I write - the CD player wont eject without help from my license, the rear wiper doesnt work, the right inside door panel is coming off, the shift indicator light works once in a while, the alternator had to be replaced at 24K, the right rear door doesnt shut without being slammed (this was supposedly fixed by the dealer), the doors are hard to open - feels like the door handle is going to break off (probably will soon), the left running board is separating from itself and its difficult to shift out of park when parked on a hill. The defrost only works with the visors down, the a/c is inadequate. Could go on and on, but am out of room.

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  feel like i was ripped off - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By never buy a ford - June 29 - 4:08 pm

  We bought the car new in 1999. In six years, we put only 50,000 miles on it and expected for it to last another four years to make it worth the money we paid. So far weve had to replace the steering rack, intake gaskets ($600), rod ends, brakes, and suffered with various unfixable noises and broken bits of interior plastic. Now the whole transmission has conked out the estimate is $2,700 to fix it, and we are done. We are not throwing good money after bad we walking away from our losses, giving the car to a mechanic for $1000. Ford has nothing to say, neither does the dealer. I am done with Ford I would never ever trust them again. DonÂ’t buy a Windstar, youll regret it.

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  Stay Away - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Tim - June 22 - 5:30 pm

  I purchased this vehicle and have had a lot of issues. Pieces of plastic keep falling off the car in different places. The seal around the doors falls off and leaks. I also had problems with both the CD player and the speaker system. Do not buy the extended warranty it is a joke. I was sold an extended warranty on a vehicle that was 5 years old and had over 40,000 miles and was later told that the warranty expired after one year. The dealership told me I was covered up to 100,000 miles, but it was completely untrue. Also, there is a deductible for everything.

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  Going Back to Honda Soon - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Jeff - June 21 - 2:53 am

  Disappointing fuel economy (not as good as window sticker indicates), dont be fooled by Fords deceptive advertising! Most of all the cool new features of this car come from Sony, Microsoft, visteon, etc. Etc. Disappointing quality, this car is jam packed loaded with electrical gremlins (reverse sensors & air bags), transmission flaws, cheap parts, and engineering/design flaws galore. At 4500 miles door latches are starting to break. Has anyone noticed the totally useless sun visor that blocks the entire view of the road when folded down? Overall level of refinement is extremely disappointing and lagging when compared to rivals. Why so much money on advertising Ford? Poor dealer treatment

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  FIX OR REPAIR DAILY (FORD) - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By maryann - June 20 - 1:24 pm

  I thought I was getting something that would be comfortable for my family and I BUT... This vehicle has been nothing but TROUBLE. After buying the vehicle I had to replace the speedometer that cost me $1700. Oh and that was only after I bought the car and owned it for 3 months. Ok, so a year goes by and guess where my car is at the dealership once again with a problem they dont know! I can no longer tell how fast I am going because that dont work and how many miles my vehicle has. Oh and the ABS light is on and the air conditioning is no longer working. Check engine light on and they say it is an O2 sensor Ford Motor has had lots of complaints and wont recall it