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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  2014 Explorer leather seats - 2014 Ford Explorer
  By daryl12 - April 20 - 8:44 pm

  My 2014 has a light tan leather seats. The color from blue jeans absorbs into the seats. I do not have any jeans that havent been washed several times. I can clean them and a week later the color of jeans are back on them. Ford will not do anything about it. Do not get light colored seats.

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  brake problem - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By sherbourne18 - April 20 - 4:24 pm

  Purchased 2010 Fusion Sept.2012. Loved it. May 2013 stepped on brake and car failed to stop. Hit my Doctors building. Car not damaged but extensive damage to building. Towed to Ford Dealership where purchased,after checking it they said no problem with car that I probably stepped on gas instead of brake. March 2014 same problem, almost sideswiped another car. This time I slammed on the brakes and luckily it stopped. Took it to my Mechanic (not to Ford)The same thing happened at the garage. Has anyone experienced a similar problem? I feel very fortunate that no one has been injured or killed including me. Now I wont feel safe in it.

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  F-150 2013 EcoBoost Review at 5000 miles - 2013 Ford F-150
  By mrpgh - April 19 - 10:54 pm

  Im at 5000 miles and at 4400 miles I took the new truck I purchased in October 2013 in to the Ford Dealership for rust issues. The inside (back side) of the chrome bumpers are showing corrosion, the air intake in the front bumper for the ecoboost models has an angled plate that is rusting and the factory painted (black) areas underneath are already showing rust. The dealer contacted Ford after taking photos and Ford responded its normal wear and tear, no action taken on it. The running board is also starting to corrode where the driver mirrors drips down onto it due to the design. in heavy rain the turbo misfires and the service engine light blinks and all power was lost.

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  Latest update after the first "problem" cropped up - 2003 Ford F-150
  By smoo4asw - April 19 - 6:36 pm

  I love this truck still, despite the fact that the check engine light came on after an oil change. The reason why it came on is because the people at the oil change place were a tiny bit too rough with our air filter, and so as a result it wasnt sealing tightly. Efforts to fix it only made it worse until we returned it to the way it should have been and lo and behold, the check engine light has been off for over double the amount of driving cycles needed to reset the system and if it was still an issue have the check engine light return. Based on how easy it was once we did it right, I cant even complain about it having an issue.

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  14 Escape SE 1.6 - 2014 Ford Escape
  By mosher41 - April 18 - 12:39 pm

  I bought the Escape new on Black Friday and after 5300 miles and several trips back to the dealer....The dealer agreed to pay me back the entire purchase price on this very challanged vehicle. (1) the heat doesnt work very well, (2) the breaks squeal, (3) the interior rattles. I owned a new 2010 and that was a VERY good vehicle 70K miles and only 2 trips to the dealer for recalls/TSBs.

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  Base Hit Â… No Home Run - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By g0west - April 17 - 7:42 pm

  The redesigned Fusion is a well-executed sedan with a few shortcomings that cant be ignored. It does the most important things well: a supremely comfortable ride, an invigorating drivetrain, and looks that strangers still comment on. The shopping was over when I drove the Fusion. I still like it after one year of ownership, but it has some annoyances (see below) that buyers should be aware of.

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  Nicest Car ive owned - 2012 Ford Flex
  By jthorpe1576 - April 16 - 11:59 am

  Anyone who knows me would be surprised I am leaving a review. I love cars and have had alot of them. But this is the most luxurious boat I have ever owned. I bought it for my wife as a surprise with 26k miles on it SEL leather, the works. Went to pick it up having never looked at it or driven one and I couldnt believe it. Im 65" tall and I have more room in the front and second row then any car I have been in. A 7 series BMW is probably the closet thing in back seat room. UNREAL! Having 2 kids in car seats, we got the captain chairs in the middle row. GREAT IDEA. My wife averages about 18mpg all city, and on trips we get 24mpg hwy. Its not turbo but has PLENTY of power for a 6cyl.

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  Worst truck I have ever owned - 2004 Ford F-150
  By bestbrewmaster - April 15 - 12:21 pm

  I still own the piece and have 92000 miles one it. By the time I had 55000 miles on it I was on my 3rd Rear Differential. I have never driven it off road. and Im an older gentleman. I have replaced the 4x4 actuators 5 times. The truck sounds like a diesel truck and clicks all the time. Ford Said that was normal of course the said that when it was in warranty and now they say I need new engine. Junk Junk Junk

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  2012 Ford Focus SEL - 2012 Ford Focus
  By carbrokedad - April 15 - 12:02 pm

  I bought this car for my 18 year old daughter to take to college. It had 42,000 when purchased. She has driven it 6,000 miles so far and is very happy with the car. The car has the peculiar shifting issues due to the automatic/manual transmission, but does not have any oil leaks or other problems that have been mentioned in previous reviews. I just went to visit a college with her that was 700 mile trip and car got 34 mpg. Im very happy with that as her previous vehicle best was 24 mpg. The passenger seat was rather uncomfortable for me but Im an old man. The stereo/sound system (sync) seemed me to sound very good. The back shelf has dry rotted around vent holes as others said.

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  Okay... but disappointed - 2012 Ford Focus
  By kann993 - April 15 - 11:54 am

  I purchased this car seven months ago. Its okay, but I definitely regret buying this car. I did not know the automatic transmission was not your usual automatic its a dual-clutch auto manual, which causes it to be jerky in stop and go traffic (which for me is every day). This is so annoying and there is nothing Ford can do. Ive already had the clutch replaced. I guess its just how this car is. The audios dial isnt true to what it actually sounds like. A "6" sounds like what should be a "15". I also dont like how theres no interior storage. The little storage they have on the door handles are so tiny I dont know what could fit in it. I am trading this car in for sure.