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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  Timing chains broke - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Lee - May 30 - 8:26 am

  I have had this SUV for just over 3 years, and in that time its been in the shop for electrical panel shutdown (3 times!), and is now in for major engine repair - two timing chains busted, only 65000 miles. Of course the warranty is up, and will cost over $3K to fix! When its back from the shop (four weeks now) I am trading it in for a Toyota, before the tranny goes too!

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  2002 Taurus - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By GregoryGalllo - May 9 - 12:28 pm

  Good car for the money. Water leak by blower motor, trans shifts erratically, and the ride is somewhat rough, but it runs well. I get 22-26 mgg (have gotten 30 on highway only). It is my third Taurus. Theyre cheap to buy, insure, refuel and operate. Plus, real low on the theft list.

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  Is it worth it? - 2007 Ford Ranger
  By David - May 4 - 1:14 am

  I recently brought a Ford Ranger Fx4 level 2 due to its low price and standard options on the vehicle. My experience with this truck it aint great. After 2 weeks of driving, the wheel alignment was off, battery died have to get it boost. The truck is a gas guzzler. It doesnt provide a lot of power, throttle response is very slow. Bottom line, the truck isnt worth buying. Ford commercial looks good on TV, but where they get you is when you purchase their vechicle.

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  V8 has a terrible transmission - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Jason G - May 3 - 6:43 pm

  We purchased this car brand new and under "d" plan as my uncle worked at the dealership. The motor has great power and the car has a nice smooth quiet ride. Ergonomics are good with the exception of the door handles and it was an overall fun SUV to drive. Then after a few months the transmission troubles began. This SUV has a learning transmission that is supposed to optimize itself for your driving style. This feature has learned only how to hesitate while accelerating and bang, clunk and sometimes accelerate during braking to a stop. After many service attempts and getting regional reps invloved Ford now says its a "normal condition" Not happy with this at all!

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  I just dont know - 2006 Ford F-150
  By David - May 3 - 6:37 pm

  My 06 Lariat Supercrew seems to be morphing into an XLT. All the gold and tan interior and exterior trim colors are already beginning to wear off their surfaces. Power from the 5.4L is shamefully bad above 2000 rpm. Mileage is 12 city and Ive never seen anything past 17 highway, but its about what I expected. Overall build quality is fairly good, but I think my old 97 F-150 was a more solid truck. Time will tell with this 2006 model. These seats are not leather. Theyre some kind of really cheap imitation of leather. They definitely feel very cheap. If given the chance, I dont think I would buy this truck again. I did mention the awful engine performance, didnt I?

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  Never Again - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By Clark - April 28 - 8:59 am

  After driving only Honda and Toyota, we chose this car for its 8 passenger seating. The car has had the A/C panel, battery, radio and alternator replaced. In addition, it has had rear liftgate window leaks repaired twice. Although the dealership has paid for all repairs, the cost of time and aggrivation have gone on and on.

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  Glad to be rid of it - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Rod - April 27 - 7:31 am

  The only good thing I can say is that the front seats were very comfortable. Reliability was the key issue. During the 6 years of ownership I spent about 50% of the purchase price in repairs. At the time I traded it the EGR needed to be replaced, the A/C was leaking, the differential had problems, and the left door light switch was bad.

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  Last Ford Ill ever own. - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Tom - April 26 - 7:07 am

  I loved the truck for the first year, then it all changed. The paint is peeling, the spark plugs got stuck in the heads, the fuel pump went bad, the rear slips and whines, it passes everything but a gas station, and Ford will not stand by their products. I would like to trade in the truck for a Tundra, but the trade in value is too low.

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  Rattle, Rattle, Rattle and no fix - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By gomojo54 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Very poor build quality for my 2003 Eddie Bauer Expedition. Everything rattles, doors, dvd player, windows, and my brain! It is in the shop for the third time and I am completely frustrated. Ford needs to replace this Eddie Bauer with a new unit. Mine is a piece of junk.

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  Only a hobby car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By gukin - April 24 - 10:40 pm

  The car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it. SVT improved a few things but introduced so many more problems it made an already poor car, the Focus, worse. This car should only be considered as a hobby car. Its abysmal reliability, poor design, and engineering take it out of the realm of a daily driver. Fiddle with it for three weekends, drive it the fourth. This car is in the same category as an exotic Italian vehicle (as long as that vehicle is a Fiat.) It can be a fun car but the flaws, poor design, and engineering blunders render it an extreme source of cost and frustration.