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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  Fix Or Repair Daily - 1997 Ford Contour
  By rjs66 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife bought this and it is been trouble from early on. At 7k miles, the tranny started leaking fluid. 6-7 recalls. Poor acceleration. After about 30-35k miles, it started idling horribly, sounding like it would stall, and it even did several times. At 45k it sucked $250 in repairs, a couple months later, $500, and a couple months later, at 50k miles, it would have been $1200 after it was determined that the O2 sensors, computer and 5 other things were faulty, but I declined to fix it and got rid of it. I will never buy Ford. I would only recommend buying a used one if it is for a high schoolers first beater car.

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  Go on an expedition to the repair shop - 2001 Ford Expedition
  By HATEUFORD - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Well hate doesnt accurately depict the way I feel about this vehicle. As soon as we hit 60K everything went to hell. Had to get a new engine, new suspension, new gaskets, radio doesnt like up, CD player doesnt work, had to replace the suspension. Passanger side air bag failure light is on. Being a stay at home mom who drives it to the store and for kids to school and then to see family on the weekends, I dont think weve been horrible to the car. It just is a horrible horrbible horrible car

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  Worst Purchase Ever - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Krissy254 - February 29 - 2:00 am

  After about two years we started experiencing major promblems. Ive had all of the major belts replaced at least four times. Two power steering pumps within 18 months. Two rack and pinions in less than a year!!! Tie rods, gaskets, several recalled parts, I could go on and on. I was informed at the last monthly mechanic visit that in about 5 months my transmission will be shot. As if this isnt bad enough I have a open door sensor that never turns off and the van makes a extremly loud knocking sound every time I turn the wheel. All in all I will never buy another ford.

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  Worst Car I have Driven - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Cole123448 - February 28 - 11:18 pm

  I have had two Hondas and one Smart Fortwo in my life. This focus is awful compared to the rest. The smart car seemed like a real downgrade from my Hondas but it shines like a gem compared to this piece of garbage. The main thing that I cannot get over is the transmission. Ford, what in gods name possessed you to release a vehicle that drives like this? Every single time you press the accelerator from a red light or stop sign the transmission kicks, jerks, and vibrates through most of first gear. It feels like the transmission is going to slip right out of gear each time and it scares me. I never know when the transmission might go. For being a "dual clutch" its awful. The Germans have been using these transmissions for a long while now and they run beautifully. Why Ford still cannot get it right baffles me. Next is the driving position. I am 63" so my seat is all the way back. I cant look out the window without half of my view being obstructed by the B pillar. And no the back of my seat is not tilted way back. A great looking car with great potential killed by sloppy American engineering.

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  This Car Catches on Fire!!! - 1991 Ford Tempo
  By Serafima - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 91 tempo for about 9 months, and just the other day, it burst into flames on the highway. It turns out, in 1996, Ford had a recall on several of their models that were built with a malfunctioning ignition swtich between the years 1988 and 1993. If you buy the car, make sure you get the free installation of the new ignition switch, otherwise, prepare to back up traffic while you watch your poor little car die in its own bonfire. Enjoy your new tempo!

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  Dont Buy - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By NY - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and have had nothing but problems with both the car and Ford. The headgaskets, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, A/C compressor, and radiator all had to be replaced before the car had 60K on it.

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  Bad Truck - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By S. R. Markl - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Stearing Shaft broke in half - crash Brake System replaced 3 times - crash Suspension parts not included unsafe when towing Plenty of cupholders tho

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  What a mistake! - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Derron Winfrey - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been nothing but problems from the word go. At 25000 miles we were putting on new tie rods, then again by 50000. Which is right after we replaced the transmission at 45000. Wiper motor brakes at 60000 along with passenger door locks, power sterring making terrible griding noise and diver side power seat has been repaired 3 times. Spark plugs have been replaced twice. We have 65000 on this car and Im affraid to let my wife take it out of town. Thank God for the extended warranty!

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  junk ranger - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By cobra0909 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  i bought my 2004 ranger xlt 1-2004 within the first week,gravel guards feel off, had to have both passenger side doors removed and adjusted,drivers seat seperated between the back and the bottom exposing my tailbone to the IRON BAR which caused my tailbone to be brused,2 days ago i traded off this junk after reverise started slepping at 1000 miles.

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  Dont buy this car - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By whocares - February 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new hoping I got a deal, but after couple of weeks, automatic transmission started slipping, jerking and all that. Taken to ford dealership, could not find the problem. Got serviced at 36000, break problem started.. Now car is at 41000 miles and all kind of oil is leaking and messed up brakes too. Asked dealer why is it leaking, they are saying it is regaulr for tarus when they are above 40000. Now I am spending another $1400 to fix the oil leak. I think I did a big mistake buying this car.. Therefore people learn a lesson from me and do not go for ford taurus. One more thing to note, it has all freeway miles and easy ones..