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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  Look A Windstar RUN! - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By windstarhater - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst auto I have ever owned. It has been in the dealership shop at least once per month since I purchased it. The engine sounds like the valves are clattering all the time. its had 6 new pistons,The transmission rebuilt 3 times, the interior lights turn off and on by themselves. The lifters have been replaced 1 at a time for over 2 years. The doors leak. instrument panel went out and that controls the theft and ignition system. The intake manifold has been replaced 4 times this is normal for the intake to warp Im told. this is my first and last FORD.

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  Brand New Problems - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Steven Kirschner - April 3 - 2:00 am

  When they told me we were going to be now driving a FORD Taurus, I was somewhat disappointed. I had suck good luck with the Dodge Intrepids we drove for years. Well, I was right but I never suspected I would be SO right So soon. With less than 1000 miles, I have already experienced an annoying squeak (I suspect Water Pump). The fit and finish is horrible. The right rear of the Trunk Lid does not fit. The left rear door also looks like it does not close....All this in 1 week!!! I can hardly wait until it is broken in! Have I driven a FORD lately?? I guess not.

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  Dont make a mistake and buy one of these - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By dudewheresmylemon - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Never again will buy a Ford after driving the one I bought. Hundereds of parts have been changed so far. I think I have the all time record for most warranty work done to a vehicle and still doesnt run correct. Throwen out of dealership where AI bought it and have to travel 400 km to get warranty work done.

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  Please Think This Purchase Thru Carefully - 2011 Ford Edge
  By MommaKathy - March 31 - 4:41 pm

  Yesterday morning I would have told you I love my Edge. Today it is junk. We bought our 2011 Edge used with 48,000 miles. It has been meticulously maintained and lovingly driven. We typically drive cars at least 200,000 miles and subscribe to the theory that if you take care of the car and replace parts when they need it, it will take care of you for a long time. Yesterday, two minutes after leaving my home, a light came on warning that my coolant was at a dangerous temperature. I had it towed only to discover that the water pump had failed and since it is internally located in the engine, it has destroyed my engine. I will either have to replace the engine, only to risk a repeat of this episode in 50,000 miles or so, or get another car. After researching this, I have found this is fairly common on the Edge, Flex, Taurus and F-150. Just to replace the water pump prior to catastrophic failure is over $2000 and they will fail at some point, folks.

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  Lemon from hell - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Catrina - March 29 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car with 59k, by 80k my spedometer stoped working, the door panels came off my doors in the back, each window needed a new motor, the radiator went, the power locks went, my stock radio kept comming up with a message "tele" on the screen and it would stop working, it rusted uncontrolabley, my windsheild washer fliud contaner formed a hole in it, i got a huge oil leak, and after fixing all that i went to trade it in and by this time it had 90k on my way to the toyota dealership (because ill never by another ford again) the transmission went

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  Ford is NOT quality - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By stevenoford - March 23 - 2:00 am

  The van itself has been fine. Few repairs over the past 7yrs. Now, we were expieriencing a leak of greenish- brown fluid (uh oh). $2200 for replacement of two gaskets. I hope ford comes through and pays for some of it. But, not likely to happen. First/last ford no matter if they pay for it. I mean come on.... seems like there is a problem w/this 3.8 engine. They should recall it vs. designing the engine for 70k miles (just out of warranty) Ford is where quality sucks.

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  TOO SMALL AND TOO SLOW - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By DRAY15 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  It has no interior space and no power whatsoever. I think my lawnmower is more powerful than this thing.

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  Regret buying a Ford Escort - 1999 Ford Escort
  By "S"CortsSuk - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I leased a Ford Escort SE back in Oct of 1999, and I totally regretted my decision a few days later. I had so many problems with it in the beginning. I also had to replace the suspension after two years, which cost me $1,000. Back in Dec of 2003, I had to replace the engine too. That cost me a lot of money. It is a cheap car to own, but no resale value. It is also an ugly car. I dont recommend American economy cars. Get a Civic or Corolla instead.

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  Bad decision to buy this car - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Peter Wojnar - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Stay away from this car if you are in the used car market. Suspension components wear out prematurely. The rubber components become brittle and fall apart. Ive spent $800 changing suspension components. First suspension repair after only 3 years! Also, the transmission developed a leak. Ford must have admitted a problem regarding transmissions as they paid for 80% of the repair, even though the vehicle was out of warranty.

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  What a lemon! - 1993 Ford Explorer
  By kitfox - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe all of the things that went wrong with this vehicle! Transmissions, count em, we did two, now needs repairs again! Went through brake pads so fast we thought they were faulty! Little things always went wrong, but $$$$to fix...gas gauge went, required entire new dash, ignition, still usable but a pain in the neck, all four door handles were broken and floppy. on and on and on...to top it off, very tippy and unstable feeling....finally rolled it!