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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  Used Truck from Cal Worthington - 1996 Ford F-350
  By cmsitka - July 20 - 2:00 am

  It has been macgivered together on the front end (Cal Worthington?) not having a shop and time to go thru this truck before I bought it was a big mistake. Im sure it would have been a good truck if it was not abused and salvaged to be put out for sale by a dealership. Any one else would have paid to have it fixed right. Watch out who you do business with!

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  Focus ZTS - Beware! - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Maryland Driver - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This has to be the biggest piece of JUNK ever! After owning it for 2 years (and only 15,000 miles) I will NEVER own a Ford again! And Ford DOES NOT care if you are unhappy with their products! To numerous recalls to mention, they had to replace the auto transmission at 10,000 miles (and after numerous trips to the dealer!). This care is NOT SAFE, the car got T- Boned on the passenger side doors and the side-impact air bags (which I paid extra for) DO NOT DEPLOY! After complaining to Ford Corp, they basically call me a liar and refused to honor a prior agreement of fixing the problem! STAY AWAY FROM ANY FORD PRODUCT!

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  throttle body - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By john - July 18 - 5:26 pm

  After buying this car only six months with 6500 miles on vacation 600 miles away from home we lost power on a busy road pulling out in traffic. After shutting the car off and restarting it after a few minutes it ran fine for a while and then same problems. Called the closet dealer to where I was vacationing, what a joke, service manager said he wouldnt be able to look at it for about four of days and did not have a car for me to use while my car was in the shop, went to another Ford dealer 10 miles further and they were very helpful. Andy Shaw Ford Thumbs up, Mountain Ford Thumbs down

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  Windstar one of the worst minivans - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By minivanguy - July 15 - 2:00 am

  With exception to the Nissan, Kia, Mazda, and GM minivans, the Windstar is definitely the worst minivan on the market. The car has many electrical and mechanical problems, including: doors, engine parts, even the transmission having to be repaired or replaced. My friend who owns a heavily driven Chrysler T&C has no problems. As to Mr Cool, Chrysler have the #1 selling van on the market (Caravan), not Honda, who are way behind. I recommend a Chrysler most, then Honda, then Toyota.

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  Bad vibrations - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By kg1957 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 Gt has very poor ride on the interstate. The vehicle has a constant vibration at 70 mph. The car has had 11 tires replced and the drive shaft. The car still has a vibration coming from the engine. Ford motor company tells me nothing wrong with vehicle. I will never buy another FORD.

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  MYSTANG - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By ALLIE - July 12 - 2:00 am

  COMPLAINTS, ONE BEING THE BRAKES, COME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAD TO BE RE CUT, I ALSO FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING 100% THEY HAVE CHECKED IT 5 TIMES ALREADY, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT IT DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY OR AS SMOOTHLY AS IT SHOULD, UPON STOPPING SOMETHINGS IT FEELS THAT EITHER THE TRANNY OR THE ENGINE WANTS TO KEEP GOING AND FEELS THAT ITS GOING TO FY RIGHT OUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, OF COURSE WHEN IT HAS BEEN IN & THE TECH TAKES A TEST DRIVE OF COURSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN,

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  Terrible!!! - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By NeverbuyaFORD - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with 32,000 miles on it. Ever since the day I bought it, it has been nothing but a headache. In one years time, it has been in the service shop approximately eleven times. It has had the engine block replaced, the steering, the brakes, and it is still leaking oil today. The car was terrible. The dealership is terrible and I had to hire a lawyer just to get it fixed properly, which it still is not.

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  Will never buy a Ford again - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Regina63 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have always bought an import car, but took my chances on the Windstar. Right out of warranty (36,900 miles) I had to replace the manifold. 4 months later at 39,000 miles I had to get a new transmission. I have a friend who has the same vehicle as mine and she is basically having the same problems.

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  Failed transmission at 60000 miles - 2003 Ford Escape
  By RayDF - July 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is OK, but the automatic transmission had to be replaced at 60000 miles of normal use (at a cost of $2600). Is this another of the now- famous Ford transmission problems? I thought that by now this problem would be solved. However, it obviously isnt... Also, I wouldnt recommend buying a 2WD with the six cylinder: it consistently smokes the front wheels if you press the accelerator too hard. The 4WD wont have this problem. Alternatively, the 4-cylinder engine should be made available with an auto transmission.

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  A car that lasts? - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Frannie - July 3 - 2:00 am

  At first it was a nice roomy safe car, then the transmission started going anf all the radiator hoses got holes in them. If I were you and wanted to keep think car longer than a few years, I wouldnt buy it!