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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  Depends on hwo you evaluate things - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By cajunflipper - March 31 - 1:11 pm

  200,650 miles, mpg-avg 14 in city,17 hwy Improper original windshield install caused water to leak through dask and into fuse box causing lose of underhood lite, courtsey overhead maps lites, and rear wiper motor quit. Ford wouldnt cover it. Overhead map reading courtesy lites, just changing the bulbs major ordeal, micro thin electrical film circuitry under the bulb tore (1/8" wide). Unless you are an electrical engineer or know someone who is, you either get a new (whole overhead unit),used $50 if you pulled it from scrape yard, new approx $350 if you can get one. Extreme poor design, this and many other areas.

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  Cap Less Fuel System Fail. - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By blueclaw - March 31 - 12:04 pm

  RE: Cap Less Fuel System: Beware -My son had a nozzle at the gas station get stuck in the fill port. The mechanic there had to take the whole thing apart and still could not get the nozzle out! Apparently Ford is aware of this and has a bulletin out. There are certain nozzles you can and cant use. Ridiculous. Had to finally get a pick in there with some twisting got the nozzle out.

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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By sethjg - March 31 - 10:51 am

  i have a 05 Limited Freestyle has 79,000 miles, bought it from my aunt and its been a great car since just dont drive it hard simple as that its a heavy car if you put the peddle to the floor constintly expect problems.. and keep it maintained the car will last for a long time and check for recalls before fixing anything.

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  Shimmy and Shake - 2012 Ford Focus
  By butlersride - March 28 - 4:09 pm

  I FINALLY got out of this car but it did cost me. The transmission was faulty from the get-go and youll regret the day you ever bought it. At parking lot speeds the transmission cannot make up its mind, but worse, many times it gets stuck in neutral and then catch and thrust you forward. In my car the "reverse sensor" frequently came on while I was in drive. The MPG is horrible, in the City I got 23, they vastly exaggerate how efficient the car is.

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  Please Dont buy this car - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By trev80 - March 28 - 12:15 pm

  I had to have major engine repairs after 11,454 miles, the timing belt wrapped around the cam shaft, pulling it out just enough to lose power in the middle a Big Rig filled highway. I promise no one wants to be in that situation. Was fixed "Good as New" under warranty but the car is much worse now. PLEASE just go with something else. Maybe it was bad luck but it can still happen to anyone.

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  Just purchased a Ford Fusion SE 2014 - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By var5 - March 27 - 9:10 pm

  I love this car.I just purchased it so I dont have a lot of miles on it yet.The ride is very comfortable and noise free.The 4 cylinder 2.5 L is plenty for driving through the city or highway.This car is what I like to say " A champagne car on a beer budget".

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  02 Ford f-150 2wd 2door XL - 2002 Ford F-150
  By jacob19 - March 26 - 5:25 pm

  I have had this truck for 6 years and have no problems with it, great truck, I use it all day for my job and the 4.6 triton v8 is good on gas mileage on the highway but crappy around daily neighborhood driving, and occasionally every now and then its good at going on the trails. One problem Ive had was with a vacume hose that was pinched because it was dry rotted, so it made the truck lose power and die at stop lights, but once I found the problem, everything is all good... great truck, very dependable and reliable

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  Good choice for first truck - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By fluffy500 - March 26 - 8:55 am

  I bought an 01 Ranger 3.0 XLT 2wd and love it. After I bought it, I let my dad drive it to Springfield from Tulsa, and he floored it the whole way- blowing the head gasket, radiator, and water pump... so dont drive it like a race car. But after replacing the motor, cooling system, and other things, it runs like a dream. I put a lot of performance parts in the engine when I had to replace it, chipped it and put dual straights on it with glasspacks and this improves the mileage 22city 37 highway!. The only problem is the delayed shifting in the aut trans. Looking for a new one that can handle the added torque and power. What kind of trans should I install? Im thinkin an F150 trans...

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  Do not buy this car! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By jw1991 - March 25 - 1:38 am

  Before you do anything, Google "2014 Ford Focus Transmission Problems." Youll find that thousands of people have had the exact same problem Im about to recall on here. On the third day of owning this car the transmission started to slip and shutter. I took it to Ford and they said it was "normal" and sent me on my way. Three weeks later the seals near the clutch started to leak as a result of the shuttering, so they kept my car for 2-3 days so they could replace the seals and clean the clutch. A week later it started slipping and shuttering again. They again will not help me. They will blame you, they will say you drive the car incorrectly.

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  Expensive Tires - 2013 Ford F-150
  By mncm_retired - March 24 - 8:35 pm

  With less than 14000 miles on the vehicle I noticed both front tires were wearing out on the outside edges only. I told them that I wanted the camber checked. I took it to my dealer and the told me that my tires were under inflated. I pointed out that under inflation would wear out both inside and outside edges not just one. They told me that the tire settings were okay and there wasnt a problem. I cant afford to spend nearly $500 every 15000 miles for two new tires. Please be careful when buying this truck because it can get expensive real quick for things that should not wear out quickly.