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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  Lesson learned - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By critter - September 4 - 1:40 am

  WE have owned this vehicle, with many problems. I noticed that the rear differential was not right from the start, but the dealership told us everything was fine each service. This is a known problem with this model year and warranty coverage is questionable. There are other problems known to Ford with this model and unknown to the consumer! We have 50K miles on it; 4 years old and now they surface after numerous complaints. I am not happy and will NEVER buy Ford again!

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  SVT Lemon - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By Trae - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Unfortunately, I would recommend against purchasing this car. The transmission has been serviced 6 times since purchase and the convertible top, twice. The car left me on the road the second day I had it. To make matters worse, Don Bohn Ford refused to repair the car. Currently, the car is pending replacement from the Ford Arbitration board and I may have to seek an attorney to replace it.

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  Run away as fast as you can! - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By disgruntled consumer - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the worst car we have every owned. Multiple brake jobs, sensor failure, door lock failure, tie- rod failure. I could go on and on. The transmission has failed 3 times 52,000, 84,000 and and 96,000. Each time slightly outside the warranty. I called for and they told me "There is no inherent problems with the Windstar transmissions." BALONY! Ford didnt even offer a discount as a goodwill gesture. Buying a new car next week... a HONDA!

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  All hell breaks loose after 90K miles - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By NomoreFords - August 24 - 2:00 am

  The Ford Taurus was a solid if unspectacular vehicle for the first 90,000 miles. After that, all hell quickly breaks loose: the transmission goes, the electrical system turns into a nightmare, and the engine slowly falls apart. Ford? Never again.

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  Very Dissappointed - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By jgcalbny - August 11 - 3:51 am

  I have now owned a 2013 Ford C-Max for exactly 3 months, and I am not at all happy with my purchase. Like most C-Max owners, I only get 34-35 mpg. I drive a combination of regular roads and highway roads. My main concern with the car isnt the substantially lower than advertised mpg, but rather the fact that I have now had to have Ford Roadside Assistance come and jump my car on 4 different occasions, plus had my friends jump it once. I have brought it in multiple times for service, to two different Ford dealerships. Each time, getting the same answer: "Theres nothing wrong with your battery, and we did the latest update. That should fix the problem." And yet still no solution.

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  Terrible piece of junk - 1994 Ford Aerostar
  By Dan713 - August 7 - 2:00 am

  My uncle bought this car simply to drive to work back and forth carrying himself and his restraunt supplys. Hes a calm guy and he never driveres fast than 60 mph. Even still the car is falling apart. The lights no longer work, the gauges are giving out false readings, and practically the whole electrical componets are defected. The car is falling apart simply by driving it slowly. The whole cabin shakes and rattles on the freeway. Maybe the only thing I like about it is the comfortable front row seats. The rest is poor quality. Even the engine. I will never buy a Ford ever again. But they might make good trucks. Not vans or cars.

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  experience has been bad - 2003 Ford Focus
  By JennyGieck - August 5 - 2:00 am

  over the last 3 yrs Iv had to replace the tires annualy as least they have had 14+ recalls! My ignition went out and cost $500 to replace the windows roll the wrong way snow dents the door! The exterior window control plastic covers fell off overall my focus has been nothing but trouble oh and my brakes have had to been replaced twice just be cautious

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  I HATE THIS CAR - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By fed-up - August 4 - 2:00 am

  this car has been in the shop more times than i can count. a very slight rear-end incident left the bumper cracked and scratched. it takes me at least 3 tries to start it every morning.

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  wasted money - 1998 Ford Contour
  By ohwell - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems. Nothing but money on top of money. If you are going to buy this car second-hand you have about a 25% chance of getting one thats good. $3500 in 2 yrs and in need another $1200 more. 2 alternators, rack and pinion, etc. I dumped mine. I wouldnt even sell it to another human being.

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  Tranny gone @ 23,000 miles - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Thomasj - July 25 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle in April 2001 for over $30,000. It was been recalled at least 5 times the first year we had it. There was a grinding noise that we asked our servicing dealer about at least 3 times and were told was normal. We were just stranded 200 miles from home returning from vacation because the transmission spewed out all its fluid at a stop light. 3 months out of warranty but only 23k miles. A $30k vehicle that lasts less than 4 years. Roadside assistance was a joke as well, offering to give me the name of a tow company but having to charge me $70. Third generation ford family will not replace this vehicle with another Ford. Honda next time.