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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  Terrible 2009 Ford Focus - 2009 Ford Focus
  By NannyJune - June 17 - 9:03 pm

  In the first 3 months of ownership, I have been to the dealer 6 times for mechanical and body issues. The car frame was totally out of whack, the front end was not aligned, the driver side wiper flew off in a horrendous rain storm, the powertrain light comes on, the transmission kicks, starts in second gear, rarely can get up to speed. They fixed most of the body issues and the windshield wiper but the rest of the problems linger. No one can find anything wrong I am told but still the powertrain light is lit and performance is bad.

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  dont buy this - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By bwmcc - June 17 - 12:16 am

  I have had this minivan since Jan 05. This is a company vehicle so luckily i didnt have to buy this. Been in the shop twice for engine knock and check engine light. Had to replace the gas tank and the knock is better but still there at highway speeds. Was in the shop total of 9 days. If this was my personal vehicle I would be very annoyed. Give me my Caravan back!

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  This SUV is a piece of junk. - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Tunes06 - June 14 - 11:00 am

  This vehicle is junk. The rear door seal fell off. The CD player refuses to give back CDs. The rear wiper motor quit. The sun roof sticks. It has been recalled twice. And now the transmission has totally failed at 61,000 miles. Ford refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem but checking the NHTSA site reveals I am not the only one with this problem. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Stranded, Again - 1999 Ford Contour
  By brad83 - June 11 - 10:54 pm

  Please avoid this car at all costs! I have been stranded six times with this thing. Ive replaced almost every part, several times. This car has no pick up and go. Interior parts are falling off of it. This is my third Ford, and will be my last. Unless you enjoy time on the side of a highway, run screaming!

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  Its JUNK, dont buy one - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By Sam B. - June 10 - 10:40 pm

  I bought this car new and it has 73500 miles on it. It has been a lot of trouble. Replaced oxygen sensors twice, and coolant reservoir. It could have cost the motor if not caught in time. Door ajar sensors went bad, cruise control started coming on and kicking in by itself. Trunk lid would pop open by itself just numerous electrical problems. There is a recall on the stop lamp switch and wiring harness, also the EGR pressure sensor. Transmission jerks shifting sometimes. A friend bought one new 3 months after me and had to put a motor in it with less than 10,000 miles on it. This is my second new Ford car with numerous troubles and my last. This car has been serviced regularly and looked after -- not neglected.

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  Opinion of a Ford Explorer - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Sandra Wilson - June 6 - 4:12 pm

  This Explorer has been one mechanical problem after another. I would never buy another one, the gas mileage is terrible. It rides like a tractor on a dirt road.

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  DO NOT BUY!!! - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Dizzy - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 13,000 miles on it. At first it seemed to be just what I was looking for. Then 6 months later, I had an accident going 25 miles an hour (I couldnt stop the car in time), the air bags deployed and destroyed the dash area of my car. It cost my insurance company $3000 to fix everything. Right after that, I had to have my brakes changed as they were completely gone. MMM..wonder if thats why I couldnt stop the car during the accident?? My ignition switch went out this year and now my starter also had to be replaced. I also found out about a recall on the rear bearings. Whats next?? I just dont feel safe in this car anymore.

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  Infuriatingly User Unfriendly Electronics - 2017 Ford Fusion
  By Paul - June 5 - 1:40 pm

  TINY icons on the dash and steering wheel make it infuriatingly difficult to see / find / turn on / adjust the cruise control, the heater and air conditioner, etc. Unintuitive power window controls. I got stuck in a restaurant drive through unable to figure out how to lower the drivers window after the window controls somehow got locked up. Key FOB has nearly illegible icons that require a lot of concentration to find and figure out. Many times I hit the anti-theft siren alarming the whole neighborhood and then it took minutes to figure out how to turn off the alarm. Never had these problems when renting Toyota Camrys / Hyundais and Kias.

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  Last Ford Ill Own - 1990 Ford Ranger
  By Allen Sackett - June 1 - 12:18 pm

  I purchased the Ranger XLT longbed new in 1990 and wish there had been a lemon law in place at that time (there is now). After a few thousand miles I had to have the dealer install a new rear axle as the old one was being worn in two! I purchased the Ford rust protection. At 270,000 miles it is now pile of rust in spite of regular waxes and washes (it was showing signs of rust at 150,000 miles)! At 133,000 miles: installed rebuilt engine: I have now put more miles into the rebuilt than the factor engine! The check engine light continues to come off in spite of having dealers look at it.

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  I keep having a bad feeling... - 2000 Ford Focus
  By ginga - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I initially really liked my car, even after a few months when I had to replace the brakes, I still liked my car. Well now, 5 recalls, 3 brake replacements and an ignition cylinder replacemnt, I now hate my car. I keep having a bad feeling that things are just going to keep going wrong.