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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  Got my Moneys Worth - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By mispinla - January 17 - 9:29 pm

  I bought my Ford in 2002 and have literally driven it high and low and everywhere in between. It has 155,000 miles on it and Ive never been stranded on the side of the road, had to rent a car due to service/or repairs, nor had to repaint or wax my car. Im sure it could use a good detail and wax job now, but Ive gone as long as two months w/o washing it! Sure it drinks gas, its a truck! Its also very comforatble and roomy. The only real complaint I have is Ive had to replace the driver side and passenger rear door handles and the center console broke one day when my 200lb+ friend leaned a little too much on it as she climbed in, and sometimes wierd stuff happens w/ the electricity

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  Hauls A Business - 1996 Ford F-350
  By Long haul - January 17 - 8:27 pm

  I bought this truck to replace my Chevy pickup I had. I pull a 28 stock trailer with my Ford truck with no problem. The 7.3L turbo diesel engine is the best diesel ever. My truck has 230,700 miles on it. I have a friend who has the same truck with 435,000 miles on it. These trucks ride like tanks, but pull everything. The truck catches a lot of peoples attentions. A trans and exhaust temp guage helps alot on these trucks.

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  Bought this car new - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Amanda Beavers - January 17 - 5:11 pm

  So today I have the dilemma of my car. It is a 2016 ford Escape very basic very standard model. I use this as my child hauler and daily driver to work. This car had major issues about 8 months after I bought it. I was on the interstate and the car quit accelerating and started shaking violently. I was in the fast lane and couldnt get the car to accelerate. I began to slow at a high rate, and couldnt get over to the shoulder because it was peak hours for traffic in Knoxville tn. I call the dealership and they tell me to bring it in once I have gotten the car shut off it stops acting crazy I start it up and it goes back to normal. I take it to ford where they say there is nothing wrong with the car. The next day I am out with my kids after work and it starts again, it is vibrating really hard throwing codes onto the screen and wont accelerate, so I pull over and Video tape this whole incident. This car clearly has something wrong with it. I take it directly to ford. They find out it is a throttle position sensor. They replace it the car runs fine until yesterday. Almost a year later. The last thing happened the week of thanksgiving. The car keeps acting like the battery is dead. Just out of the blue. I will turn it off and all I get is CLICK CLICK CLICK. You can not even get to the battery properly to actually jump it. Some guys helped me while me and my children were stranded in a weigles parking lot. They couldnt get to the ground post or negative post, only the positive post. They hooked to the positive post and then used the negative one on anything else under the hood. The car started, I took it home parked it and left it running. Then I shut it off got in it and drove it back out to get ice as we are taking a trip (the last time the car malfunctioned we were going to take it on a trip and decided it was too dangerous to use on a long road trip pretty sad when you got a new car and wont take it out on a trip). I get out to get the ice, I shut the car off thinking it would be fine.. nope stuck again. Guys helped me jump it again.. got it on the road took it home where this morning it didnt start so I had to use an older car to get to work... it is funny how my husbands 12 years old truck has never given him a day of trouble. Neither has his 4 year old truck.. but my brand new car has been a lemon and we do not take it on long trips due to the fact it is a hazard for ourselves and our children.

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  Not So Good - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By karmcden - January 16 - 6:12 pm

  I have a lot of miles on this thing and it is not holding up well. I have put more money into it in repairs than what I bought it for. Would have trashed it if I didnt need a car.

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  great truck - 2005 Ford F-150
  By bud - January 16 - 3:30 pm

  Nice truck but I needed a new engine at 3,000 miles and Ford wanted me to pay for a rental. Constant clunking from the tranny. Oh and good luck changing the spark plugs as they snap off in the head.

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  Great Vehicle for the Buck - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By mikeb - January 16 - 2:56 pm

  Wanted to get into the nicest vehicle for under $525/ mnth purchase price. I drive a ton for work, 24K/ year. The Fusion is easy on the eye, very well appointed, and the engine and transmission are great. Lots of room inside. Huge trunk. I got the all black leather interior. Two tone interior was goofy looking. I am averaging 21 MPG and I have been jumping on it for fun. This car compares well to the Acura TSX, Camry and Honda Accord. I drove the V6 Accord and it was really dull. The Fusion is a blast to drive.

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  Surprised to like it! - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By villaridgegal - January 16 - 2:16 pm

  I have had this car about a month and starting to really like it. I was surprised that the drivers seat raises up high enough for me. I have had SUVs the last couple of times and at first was concerned that a car would be too low. I love the sides and back, but the front of Fords vehicles arent that sharp. Inside is great -- lots of extras. Only negative is power. I did not get AWD, so I have the regular transmission. I previously had the CVT in a Freestyle and got used to the smooth shift. The Five struggles with the a/c on and I have to remember not to pull out in front of anyone. I mean 206 hp for a 3700 lb vehicle is ridiculous.

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  Trading in - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Trading in - January 16 - 9:55 am

  We bought a 2005 XLD AWD Escape used in March 05 with 17,000 miles on it. As others have written, we have had problems filling up the gas tank. Gas nozzle keeps shutting off which drives my husband nuts. Started having problems with the brakes at about 50K. Mechanic replaced tires, rotated tires and put on new brake pads which solved the problem for only a little while. It probably needs new rotors, but at only 2 yrs old with 57K miles on it and 3 years left on the loan, we decided to trade it in for an older car with less miles that we could pay off sooner at $100 less/month. Overall though, this was a good car, preformed very well in the snow with the smart AWD but hard on gas.

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  5 years later - 2001 Ford Escort
  By Used 2001 - January 16 - 9:29 am

  I bought a 2001 ZX2 in 2003 used for $9000. The tape player didnt work...still doesnt, but who uses tapes anyway? Radio is good, AC is super cold. It had 32,000 miles on it then, now has 75,000 and still runs great. Gas mileage is awesome, and Ive had the serpentine belt replaced once. It has to be replaced again soon. Overall, this has been a great first car, it saw me through college and Im going to keep it until it dies.

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  Happy Hybrid - 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By gpcpilot - January 16 - 5:06 am

  Love my new 07 Escape Hybrid. The "Refire" metallica paint virtually glows, catches admiring looks from folks and doesnt show dirt too readily. I do quite a bit of highway and mixed driving. Im currently getting about 31.8 mpg, which Im ecstatic about. Thats twice the mileage I got from my 2001 V6 Ranger, the Escape replaced. The trucklette is roomy, pretty comfortable and fairly peppy. I see a long relationship with this little SUV.