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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  Yellow Glove Treatment - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By JIM MADDEN - December 21 - 4:40 am

  I like my Taurus with the DOHC engine and leather interior. I thought that there was a design problem with the fuel pump as I personally changed 3 in three years of ownership. On installation of the 2nd pump I bent the float arm so my gauge has been incorrect for almost a year. So this time I completely removed the tank from under the vehicle, carried it to the garage bench and low and behold I found a yellow workglove floating inside the gas tank. This car must have been built on a Monday with a disgruntled worker assembling the gas tank.It should run a little better without the restriction on the suction side of the fuel pump? Note: the interior dimensions are kind of small for a carsobig

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  Monis Pony - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Moni - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted a Mustang convertible since I was about 15. It is fitting, then, that my first Mustang is a 40th anniversary model as I recently turned 40. I love the car, from top to bottom.

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  great car!!! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By alecsgurl12304 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  i love this car my man has it and i love to drive it all the time!!

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  damn good truck - 2004 Ford F-150
  By g_man - December 21 - 2:00 am

  the truck is solid and built tuff. best truck Ive ever owned.

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  Awesome - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By josh - December 20 - 7:06 pm

  Great truck. Awesome 4 wheel drive system. Amazing in snow. Not what I expected at all. Best car I ever owned. Love it. Used to hate Ford until this

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  But forgien! - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By MT Man - December 20 - 5:18 pm

  I inherited it from an elderly relative who bought it brand new. When I got it it had only 27K miles on it. Its noisy, it looks and feel cheap both inside and out. The fuel milege is terrible. If I drive it 65 I can squeeze 17mpg out of it. The electric door locks quit at 30K miles and the transmission gave up at 33K miles. Now they want $3K to put in a replacement. when I asked if the new transmission would last longer than the old one, the dealer just shrugged. I cant beleive what a piece of crap this truck is. Ford should be ashamed!

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  Brand new car, still no peace of mind - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Michael P. - December 20 - 5:11 pm

  My second Ford Explorer. We leased a 2014 now we have a 2016. We loved them....up to the point where my wife and 4 year old daughter almost had a horrible accident in traffic during 4th of July. Where to begin...Like most of you, my vehicle, a Ford Explorer exhibited similar issues. Whats different is that my truck is a 2016 with roughly 7400 miles on it. My wife and 4 year are in 4th of July traffic in the Washington DC area on the inside lane. Her exit is coming. So shes about to change lanes when all of a sudden..she has no power to the gas pedal. A wrench light comes on and shes freaking out because traffic was heavy. Several cars narrowly avoid rear ending her. Thankfully she makes it to the shoulder of the road unharmed. Fast forward to today...we finally get our truck back after almost a week. Everyone in the service department nonchalantly brushes aside the fact that lives could have been lost. Now, I have to figure out what to do because wife is so traumatized that she doesnt want to drive, or even step foot in the vehicle anymore for fear of them replacing it with the same part and it happening again. She has contacted her Doctor to help deal with the anxiety she is dealing with. This issue started with the escapes years ago. Obviously they are purposely still using faulty parts. I need help.

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  Ok in the long haul - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Jeff - December 19 - 9:41 pm

  Bought LX with 52K on it. Experienced numerous small issues at around 70K such as tie rod ends, oil seals, EEC sensors, paint pealing on door trim and broken cheap interior parts. After 80K never another issue. Serviced regularly including tranny. Just sold with 142k on it and it is still running strong. Mileage was 18- 21. Alwyas cupped front tires no matter what.

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  Recall Time For Ford Again - 2007 Ford F-150
  By joe - December 19 - 6:52 pm

  I have a 2007 ford f150 Stx 4.6L. At idle it shakes so bad I had to put a pillow behind my back. Several times it even stalled. Ford said all these trucks do this. It is a natural characteristic of the truck to run rough. I say it is time to recall and fix the design flaw these trucks have.

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  Good, not Great - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By TruckMan92 - December 19 - 3:49 pm

  All in all, a pretty good truck. By no means the best in the mid- sized/compact class. The truck is a lot of fun to drive, and gets the job done. The seats are comfortable, the extended-cab is functional. The towing/payload capacities are about as good as anything else in its class. I have used this truck for everything. Its reliability is great, never had a problem. The interior design is very plain, nothing special at all. The exterior is nice, but again, nothing special. The quality is good, everythings sturdy, its a Ford. The performance and drive are great. It handles turns well, breaking is nice, acceleration is suprisingly good. The fuel economy is terrible, 14 MPG!