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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  DONT BUY A 96 CONTOUR!! - 1996 Ford Contour
  By HateMyCar96 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I had nothing but problems with this car after it hit 50,000 miles!! First the drivetrain and then the radiator and the water pump and then the wheel cylinders whet bad! Dont buy a 96 contour unless you enjoy constant aggervation and automotive problems!

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  Poor choice - 2003 Ford Escape
  By K PRIDE - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Before warranty was over, Ford replaced entire plastic panel around bottom of vehicle (faded). Battery failed & was replaced. We just went out of warranty (38,000 mi) and the gas pedal has started sticking when you take it out of park. At 40K mi, the CD player has quit working. Sorry, but its out of warranty! Sorry, FORD, you lose in the long run!

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  Very Unreliable Vehical - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Zohaib - December 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used one year old with 20,000 miles. It ran fine for the first two years. Then after that the car started costing. First the A/C compressor broke causing the entire A/C system to fail. That cost me $3,000 dollars. Then the transmition, that cost me another $2,500.Rack on pinion and power steering-$900. Head Gasket-$800. Water pump-$300. Power steering again-$250. axels, cb joint, etc. This list could go on forever. This vehical has cost me over $11,500 in repairs in a 5 year period.

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  Screwed by Ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Ford Con Job - December 26 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the all time con jobs in automotive history! As many of you have found out, Ford knew it had an unreliable engine but did nothing as usual to fix the problem or help its customers. They also had faulty brake lines which they did nothing about until the government made them recall. There definetly should be a class action suit regarding this vehicle. Count me in if your interested! Going elsewhere for my next car but Im sure Ford wont care they never do! how many examples do we have to see, Pinto, Bad Tires, Blown Engines, Faulty Brake Lines, etc............................

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  Lemon!!!!! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By rrtodd95 - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I found the 2002 Focus to be almost as dissapointing as the 2000. The one big difference being recalls. On my 2000 I was inundated with recall notices almost monthly the 2002 electrical problems en masse.

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  Embarassment to America - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By scubajeff - December 22 - 11:43 am

  What in the heck are they thinking in Detroit? Ford has been making trucks for well on 100 years. This is the most uncomfortable truck I have ever been in. This truck is provided as a work vehicle and I hate to get in the thing. The YukonXL I was in previously was by far a more comfortable, good riding truck. This SUV, while being a smaller body, has no excuse not to have a more comfortable and well designed seat at least. Then add the cheap cheap leather, and interior which looks like its a year old already, and I can see why the big three reps apologized for building cheap cars. This wasnt cheap, but it sure is built that way. Fit and finish? What a joke. Never again Ford. Never.

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  Not worth the money - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By Leon Pollack - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been nothing but problems. My electrical system started failing before I reached 40,000 miles. I have a vehicle that has less than 65,000 miles and Im replacing the electrical system in the column for $1200. I ahve put more than $6000 into this vehicle over the past two years. next week im going out to buy me a Japanese (Toyota sequoia or Nissan Armarda) SUV. I ahve had it with American vehicles. I have owned all brands and now i understand why people buy foreign vehicles. I also understand why American companies give you a three year warranty, their vehicles are onbly designed to last three years.

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  Fire electrical engineers - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By KCMOWindstar - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this Limited van in Dec 2002 and have had numerous electrical probs. Dead batteries, fuel sensors, blower switches, etc. Driver front door was hard to close and had to be re-fit but still has high closing effort. The electrical engineers for this program should be thrown out on their ear.

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  Third King Ranch - 2017 Ford F-150
  By Teacher - December 16 - 3:04 pm

  This truck is great, a lot more functionality than our previous ones. Only complaint is they longer offer the cowhide leather seats, which wore like iron.

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  worst vehicle i have ever owned - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By unsatified ranger - December 16 - 2:00 am

  This is the most mechanically unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. I will not purchase another Ford. Quality is not job one. I truly believe that if I truly used this vehicle as a truck, it would be in the repair shop monthly.