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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  worst car I have ever owned! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Melissa - August 13 - 4:42 pm

  I have had problems with this car since I bought it in 2012. It first started with electrical problems, then transmission and now it just wont start. The parts to fix car are expensive. Ford charges 150 just to look at it. I will never buy another Ford! It is by far the worst car I have ever owned.

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  Save your Money and Buy anything but a Ford - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By Drew - August 12 - 11:48 am

  So my experience with fusions has been nothing but poor. Had a 2013 with 22,000 miles on it and the transmission went bad. Got rid of it and got a Toyota Camry. Not one issue with the Toyota. Have a 2011 fusion sport with 45,000 miles on it. Feel transmission going already and it could not pass emission test because the OBD is not functioning correct. Time to go get another Toyota. Save your self the poor product issues and do not buy a Ford. They seem to want to sell build poor products!!!!

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  The worst car i ever had - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By Sherita - August 12 - 10:18 am

  Great fuel mileage, but everything else sucks, had the car for 3years, and i have had to go back to dealership way to many to get repairs made, now my starter is gone out, i really regret buying this lemon

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  IT TRIED TO KILL ME, TWICE!! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Laurie - August 7 - 10:17 pm

  You are taking your life in your hands when you buy this car! Not to mention the drivers around you. This car, a.k.a. killer should be on a recall list NOW! This "car" stalled on me, had it "fixed" and today (3 months later), I was almost ran over by an 18 wheeler because it stalled in heavy traffic. Luckily, both time I was able to roll off the road within seconds of my life. It is now at a Ford dealer, and with any luck,Ill be re-united with this piece of crap in 3 months, yes 3 months! I finally got them to let me have a loaner car since I have to travel to my doctor. How nice of them! I have contacted every agencies I could find and reported this car. If somebody hasnt died yet while driving this car....they will soon. Just pray it doesnt take some other poor drivers and their families with them. Ford has to step up NOW!.

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  transmission problems"only 6 months" - 2012 Ford Focus
  By D - August 7 - 4:34 pm

  I brought this car 6 months ago. At first I would hear a clicking sound when I slowed down and I took it to the dealership, and they told me that it was not cause of the dual clutch . So I didnt worry about it, but know it has a huge problem, where the engine makes a clicking sound when I turn the car on. When it does this the car wont go pass 30mph. I took it to the dealership about 3 times, were it stay in there for about a week and each time I get it back I drive it about two or three days and the problem comes back. So I figured the dealership doesnt know how to fix it , so they just get it and guess and take your money

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  Very dissapointed - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Chris - August 6 - 11:53 pm

  Where do I start, mmmmmm. All 4 wheel bearings went bad before 90,0000. Sunroof was designed to let water in, I think. Well it had to be as bad as it leaks. Fans dont work so car overheated. Stereo would not work from steering wheel controls. Gas gauge goes from 3/4 full to empty in a second and then the car died, TWICE. The good news about that is that it only happens when it is 20 below or colder, so it has that going for it. Seriously. I have worked in the car industry for twenty years and I have owned many cars and this truly is the most disappointing car we have ever owned. I wanted to support Ford after they refused the bailout money. Unfortunately I will be going back to a Honda or Toyota. In my experience, these companies have given me the best value for my money. Simple as that! Back to sarcasm: All 4 wheel bearings out before 90k, really? Ford knew they were bad during testing, they had to know. So I assume they treated it as a profit center and said the heck with the buyer. Well, two can play that game, so the Heck with Ford!

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  Transmission, radio and electrical problems!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By melinda - August 5 - 2:21 pm

  transmission awful it grinds up hills looses power on acceleration ! The radio works when it wants to , only controls 3,4 work on ac and heat 1,2 slower fan speeds do not work . Oil service light and low tire air lights stay on even if oil changed and air put in tires !! This car is a nightmare !! My first and LAST ford EVER !!!

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  trust me dont buy one. Im a professional driver - 2013 Ford Focus
  By mark lacroix - August 2 - 12:01 pm

  Let me first start off by saying Im a professional truck driver for over 20 years Ive owned my own trucks and I know how to get the most out of vehicles . This car has severe transmission problems. I naught a Ford focus 2013 to reduce fuel and to have a little fun in it. I put 122000 miles on it . Yes that wasnt a typo. 122,000 miles. Comuting to sanbernadino to hinckley daily 94 miles one way. First I experienced at around 80 thousand miles the computer module completely went out left me stranded in the middle of the dessert for hours. Towed it back. They fixed. 2nd time at 122 thousand going up the mountain towards big bear dam near killed me and 5 people behind me transmission said it was overheating and went to crawl mode and completely disengaged while cars behind me were spinning put to try to avoid me there was no turn out to get the car too. Finally got it back to dealer and same problem but this time that computer module actually prematurely wore out the clutch witch they wanted 1800 to fix the computer module was still under warranty but they would not fix clutch. I tied to trade it in they would only give me 2500 credit to the car. Yes you Hurd me write 2,500. they know that car is a pile [non-permissible content removed]!!! I had a 2003 ford ficus with 267,000 miles on it and it ran like a top same motor same clutch. Someone T boned it sadly. So I thought I would get same mileage out of new one. Another thing is suspension it wore out to quick and gave tires flat spots witch led to a bummpy ride. Please take it from me get rid of this car as fast as you can. There menu more problems with this car but I dont feel like writing a book about it.

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  2014 shaky focus hatch - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Bill - August 2 - 7:56 am

  Transmission is worst Ive ever seen. Auto that feels like its slipping. Terrible lag. Dealer (Freeway Ford) says thats normal for this type of transmission. JUNK transmission. Dont buy an automatic Focus.

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  I should have heeded warnings. - 2014 Ford Focus
  By MollyRose - August 1 - 12:07 pm

  We purchased the Titanium package 2014 Focus in August 2014. It was sort of a rushed purchase because of a situation we had at home. At first we loved it. It was comfortable and efficient and looked pretty decent for a 4-door sedan. It now (Aug 2015) has about 4000 easy miles. It has always been babied and garaged and serviced regularly. We were thinking all along "why are people complaining about the Focus?" NOW we know. At the low mileage of 4000, last night the car showed us its real performance. It started jerking and fluttering and stopping and starting, really scary on the road. Then the engine light came on. We made it home thank goodness. Were taking it to the dealer Monday and I am already anticipating a scene or non-help from what I have read on numerous reviews. This really irks me. We bought a brand-new car thinking it would last at least 10 years for us (like most of our non-Ford cars have always done). This is our very first "lemon." What happens remains to be seen, but I am not optimistic. The salesman looked us straight in the eye on the day we purchased this car and smiled and said, this is a "great little car." What a joke. He HAD to know the problems.