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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  Itll cost you. - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Nocdar - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Pluses: Ground clearance makes driving in snow a breeze, dual air- conditioners, 20-21 mpg. Minuses: Recalls, Coil springs broke, door ajar alarm comes on in damp weather, bushings in idler pulley for serpentine belt seized up while on highway (yikes),lots of tie rod ends replaced. Money spent on repairs would have gotten me into a much more reliable vehicle. Which in 1995 would have been the Toyota.

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  Junk - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By MJRaw - October 21 - 2:00 am

  After buying the Explorer with 18k miles, we have had nothing but problems. 3 sets of front hubs, 4 fuel pumps, vapor locked twice, 2 sets of brakes, starter, the list goes on. I will not bore you with all the details. The worst thing about it, the resale price drops so fast that I cant even get rid of it for a decent price (what I owe)! I will never own another Ford product!!!!

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  Wish i bought a chevy - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By rob in ct - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought a taurus when my 1994 chevy lumina with 235k miles started having tranny problems. since I bought this car I have replaced the brakes and rotors 3 times in 40k miles, replaced the headlight knob multiple times, and had it towed to the garage. the milage isnt great, the hump on the left side kills me. not well designed for people over 6 foot tall. I am really unhappy with this car but cant get rid of it becuase of the horrible resale value.

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  lemon - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By mary542 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  The car has many electrical problems, my van was in and out of the shop. Buy another sel, Ford could not give me one free.

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  No longer buying Ford - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By no longer buyin Ford - October 18 - 4:00 am

  Traded in the 2007 Expedition for the Taurus X. Felt like we needed better gas mileage. We did experience paying less at the pump for obvious reasons. With only 5900 miles on the car, however, the engine has now been torn apart twice with 9 parts being replaced, including the gaskets, valves, and the housing. Initial indications were a timing issue around a phaser. Seven and a half weeks later and two car payments for air, the car is finally fixed. We will see what the future brings...probably a Toyota!

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  Dead at 122k - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By msuennen - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Although I have tried to maintain this vehicle as directed, it has cost $1500 to $3000 each year I have owned it in repairs. And now it is dead for good. Good riddance to the Tempo.

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  Heads up - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By Sho Was nice - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Love The car handles well fun to drive .Car has been in the shop 2 times in the last month glad for the Extd Warrity . Tranny bite the ghost at 55000 miles Control Modeul for secondarys blew . Lets see for reapirs to date would have been close to 5grand . Also Car is known for a problem with the cam shafts going Bad desigh Flaw . Love the Car would not buy again . Ford needs to address the cam prob and trany

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  I bought a 5 year headache!!! - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By Sabastian - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck in 2001,I had it a week and noticed some problems, my seats kept popping of the track so they had to replace the tracks,then I noticed a noise under the truck so I took it back and they told me nothing was wrong.Well the truck needed new upper and lower ball joints,and bushings.1 month later I had the truck back in to replace the brake springs in the rear,and both rear shocks.2 months later I had the truck back in to replace the upper and lower control arm. Now I am having problems with my power windows. I had this truck in the shop 12 times in 4 months.

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  Never Agaiin! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Dandi58 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  After replacing a Grand Caravan with the Windstar, I have to say I am extremely disappointed with American minivans. In the last year, I have spent over $4000 on the Windstar (granted, some items were maintenance, like brakes). I am staring at a bill for $1300 to fix the heat (blendor broken) and plan to send Ford a heated letter. I had to replace the intake manifold gasket at 60,000 miles, a $500 job (Ford paid 1/2), have had several recalls on the transmission and have generally found this van to be unreliable and requiring a LOT of maintenance. Oh yes, the gas mileage is terrible as well. And the windnoise is unbelievable.

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  Plastic cracks!! - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By CarJunkie - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I live in North Dakota and ford put plastic radiators in this car, (when plastic freezes, it cracks if it gets too warm too fast). Also, the head and head gasket are a common complaint about this car when it comes to things going out. It is a beautiful car though, and when there isnt something that needs to be fixed it rides nice, and is top of my list for comfort!!