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:

• 

  i will never buy another Ford ranger - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By John Buettner - January 18 - 2:00 am

  My 1995 ranger was a great truck, never had a problem with it and drove it for 8 years. Bought a new 2003 and have had nothing but problems, its been in the shop over 7 times this year and two of the times it needed to be towed in, i drive for my job and cant afford to have this many problems with this truck, iam in the process of trading it in on a new Toyota pick-up this weekend, thanks John/seamars1@aol.com

• 

  never stranded again - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By rebnab - January 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used at a reputable used car dealership with 30,000 miles on it. After 15 months of ownership I switched back to Chevrolet. The transmission blew at 32,000, major engine problems at 33,000, rack and pinion went out and needed replacing at 36,000, the engine just malfunctioned again and was down another 5 days. I soon as I got it back I traded it in. I usually sell my cars myself and get a decent price out of them, however with this one I could not honestly sell it to anyone. This is the first used car Ive bought from a dealership and bought the extended warranty which saved my bacon.

• 

  Ford is a four letter word - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By fooled me once - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I babied the tranny more than any other vehicle I owned...and also spent by far and away the most on it terms of preventive maintenance ( >$1000) and repairs (>$3000). The engine was wrecked due to poorly designed (plastic) timing chain tensioners (the chain powered the oil pump)FIrestone tire fiasco.head rests not safe. seat reclining lever poorly designed. U-Haul wont let trailers be towed by Explorers (2004). tire changing components fail unpredictably. locks rust easily. manual says towing max speed is 45 MPH!! Honda shop manual (Helm) MUCH better. No Tow hooks. climate control heater blend door $2 part failed $1100 estimate to fix (Bob Bell Ford)

• 

  1997 Eddie Bauer - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Drained of money - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Quality & design - terrible. Spend >$2K/yr on repairs - thousands on electrical repairs due to poor design: fuel shutoff ran under floor mats & shorted engine wire harness is in the wheel well, got wet & shorted. Completely replaced A/C unit & climate control system @ 60K, seat adjusters broke, replaced EGR valve 3x, transmision mounts went @ 100K, mouldings around windows came out & on & on. This has nothing to do w/ my driving of the vehicle. I have a 14 y/o Pontiac w/ 150K miles & never a repair. Very disappointed. Looks great but has been a mechanical nightmare. Complained to Ford about these issues to no avail. If on the fence, DONT BUY ONE!

• 

  Delayed Reaction - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By SeanD - January 13 - 2:00 am

  First new car...thought it was amazingly fast and handled superbly. Then I got dusted by nearly every other new car on the road. A bigger motor would tear this cheaply made car apart if the wheels could ever get a grip on the pavement. My tires deflate on their own. My paint is fading. Everytime I bring the car in for maintenance, it comes out stained or sloppily re-assembled. Seatbelt rollers broken, controls for power driver seat popping out, no air flows to passenger side vents. Car shakes at 70 mps - ford wont fix bec. mechanics wont drive that fast to find problem.

• 

  Inexpensive family car - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By philnjean - January 11 - 2:00 am

  A decent family car. Good interior size, large back seat, good size trunk. Adjustable brake pedal is neat. Exterior is stylish and good looking. Poor brakes. Front rotors and pads had to be replaced with just over 36K on them. No standard antilock. Poor fuel economy, about 18 mpg around town. Crappy resale value.

• 

  Dont Buy One - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By foxult - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Speedometer went out at 49000 miles ($750 not covered by warrantee, of course). Transmission problems under 75000 miles (warrantee). Heater problems at 120000 miles ($1100). Final transmission problems at 124000 miles ($3000). Donated to Goodwill. This van has been nothing but an expensive problem.

• 

  Quality is NOT job one! - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Never again! - January 4 - 2:00 am

  ford does not stand by its product. 3.8l eng. with head gasket leaks and trans. problems. (replaced twice) Even under warranty, ford refused to assist customer. You get the run around. Ask ford for help, they till you its the Dealer. Ask the Dealer for help, they say you have to ask ford. NEVER AGAIN!

• 

  Nice looking, but poor ride/quality. - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By akeeney - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Problems with this vehicle from the start and none of the dealerships (3 total) can seem to fix them: loud brake and wind noises, door rattle, vibration between 40-50 mph, paint defects when delivered from factory. Many other "minor" issues which took weeks to correct. Ford Motor Co (consumer assistance)has been no help.

• 

  Ford is not Quality - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Fred E - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Like most others that own a 96 windstar, at @ 68,000 miles headgasket went out costing $2,500. Ford fixed 95s and declared 96 cured so they told me that it was my problem. I was first in my family to buy Ford and Im doing my best to tell others in family and whoever else not to buy Ford. I have always bought domestic cars/trucks. This experience has taught me to look global. There is no quality or accountability at Ford