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:

• 

  Good for only 90,000 - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By mike - May 1 - 9:01 pm

  Do you notice some trends in these reviews. Mine is bad valve blowing oil and coolant everywhere. Expert Tire says it will take $680 to fix and flush refill fluids and clean it all up. Then they say the manifold and also tell me ford doesnt have parts. I will be checking this out. Why fix it? Look at all the review that follow up valve problems with blown transmissions! I have a hard time believing garage didnt see the manifold problem! Look at your price carefully! Consider these vans are great until about 90,000 and then a money pit. Expect tire and ford both rip you off! next time a Honda or Toyota it cant be any worse!

• 

  Great truck...Terrible engine - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By J - April 29 - 10:04 pm

  I bought this car from a friend, knowing it had some problems, a few interior lights didnt work, a couple scratches, but nothing major. They owned it for 8 years and it was great for them. I got it and it was fine for a month. A few days past a month and the #3 spark plug blew when I started the engine. I had to have it towed and serviced which cost me $574.67. Then the mechanic told me if I had to floor it or accel quick for some reason it was very likley it could happen again. Im getting rid of it before anything else goes. It rides great, 4wd is great, and so is ground clearence. I went offroad once and it did fine in 2wd. Gas mileage is 10-12. I would recommend it, but only the 4.6l v8.

• 

  No more Fords for me - 2002 Ford Escape
  By kathy - April 26 - 11:23 pm

  I love driving my Escape. I am short and can see out of it better than anything Ive driven before. The electrical problems are driving me crazy. After many visits to the dealer, they finally found that caulk had come loose and I had a gallon of water on my fuse box. Supposedly resealed and replaced the fuse box. Two months later I had it back in for the same problems, radio going off and on by itself, even when car is off, horn going off, trouble lights on for no reason. Said they cant find any problems and gave it back to me unfixed. Have contacted Ford and they wont do anything to help, so am buying a Honda on Monday. Im sorry to say that Ford has lost another customer.

• 

  Pretty good truck - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By amo - April 24 - 8:58 pm

  I bought my Explorer with 33,000 miles, now Im approaching my 2nd year of owning and have 98,000 miles on it. Very comfortable for driving 100 miles each way to and from work. My alternator went out at 60,000 miles. Replaced battery. Bought the truck and the A/C wasnt working and had to have it serviced twice, now the A/C finally works. Stereo could be better, I replaced the speakers with inifintis. The brakes need to be replaced again: got them done at 36,000. Annoying clicking noise when moving at a slow speed. Poor gas mileage. Im going to a Honda soon.

• 

  Solid - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Hubbell - April 24 - 4:19 am

  Purchased new in 1996 it is my wifes primary vehicle it has been driven across the US twice hauling trailers from 3-5K both times.

• 

  Great car to roll off a cliff - 2003 Ford Focus
  By John Berklon - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is the worst piece of trash I have seen in my life. After 2 months and 5k miles the engine blew out...Great work Ford...Living up to your name of fix or repair daily.

• 

  Poor quality - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By Ford - never again - April 21 - 3:01 pm

  Seems like this car knew it had passed the 3 year / 36,000 mile mark and started to disintegrate. Catalog of problems, many electrical: in-dash CD changer wont eject, rear windows open & close when they feel like it, electric sliding doors: one opens occasionally & the other wont close completetly, steerng motor howls like a werewolf.

• 

  Needs a Heart Transplant - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Chemazda - April 21 - 8:20 am

  This car is driven in Germany, so immediately its at a major disadvantage. Its clearly designed for American roads, where Im sure its capable and probably very comfortable. However, on European roads its lacking in acceleration, feels like a tank, doesnt fit into parking spots and feels generally out of its element. It cant keep up with cars that have half as much power on the autobahn, and makes a miserable racket trying. The engine drone under acceleration gets annoying fast. Ours is driven harder than probably any other Freestyle on the road, but it lets us know that it doesnt like it. Minor issues fixed under warranty include brake lights that stayed on and outside temp gauge.

• 

  It sure aint like my 1993 Mustang - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Mike - April 19 - 7:17 pm

  Where do I start, I bought this car with 14,000 miles. In feb 07 a month later I had it back to the dealer for the paint coming off the bumper. Got that fixed 2 weeks later, my school books where soaking wet I left my bookbag in the trunk. I thought the top was leaking, but after 8 trips to dealer with the car being there for as many 30 days to get it back with same each time we cant find the major leak. I have come to the conculsion that it is leaking from the weld in the body. Back to body problems the Mustang stripe has come off 2 times. I finally got tired of the dealer being so blind to the problem. I called a lemon law lawyer, so now I have a pending lawsuite against Ford. For all my trouble

• 

  Not so hot Taurus - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By Brian - April 17 - 7:40 am

  The performance of my Taurus is awful. When I hit the gas the vehicle always feels like it has to downshift to get going. Maybe this due to my transmisson, it is only my 2nd one so far. This is a company vehicle & others in our fleet is having the same problems. Other than the performance the vehicle is ok. The interior is a little boring, but I can live with it.