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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  Not worth the money - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By mark1983 - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Needed a rebuilt transmission after 60,000 miles. Power steering repaired twice. This car was a grave disappointment.

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  WARNING! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By MIKE COLLINS - June 16 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND TROUBLESOME VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED

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  The Sage Continues - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Ctour Love - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Now I would expect Ford to make a poor car. It is somethimg that is expected of the horrific company. But I decided to try them because I would not want to hate them based on what others think. My Cat does not work,My ignition has just eaten my key, My Gas Mileage is horrible, My car rattles and it is impossible to carry on a conversation on the phone or otherwise while traveling, The car hesitates when I accelerate and has almost caused me to die twice while merging, The dash is warped, the oil pan has a leak,a nd Ford does not care. The makings of a poor company....Ford!

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  Tranmissions Issues - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By John See - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Transmission went out without warning at 62000 miles. Ford service was horrible and not helpful in explaining why a car maintained regularly would have such a large failure at a relatively low milage for such components. Basically said since first time Ford buyer, we cant give you any assistance with product defect.

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  Major Disappointment - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By John - June 11 - 6:16 pm

  My Caddilac SRX and Three Muranos were great cars. Not a single issue with any of these recent cars from the beginning to when I traded them in, all had over 50,000 miles at trade-in. My new 2016 Limited Explorer is have issues with less than 2,000 miles. Pump that runs the seat features sounds like a hamster cage, rear tire inflation sensor defective and causing alarms to go off every 50 miles. No way to disengage rear door from opening with your foot -- doing anything with a hitch, bike rack, boat trailer, and so on can cause the door to open. Car down and up shifts all the time on basically flat roads. Brakes are grinding, and the luggage rack, specifically the rails are not open thus not allowing for your to tie down anything around the rails. I cant understand this concept for an SUV that potentially could be used to strap on top kayaks, boats of all sorts, or really anything.......very bad design. Called Ford Customer Service and got the total brush off. Went to a local dealer and they said make an appointment a week out and well look at the issues.......will need the car for a couple of days and no loaner! I made a bad decision with this vehicle.

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  lots of trouble - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By unhappyRay - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 29k miles on it, and soon I started to get problem. First the passenger side leaked and the hood stuck. About a year latter got the headlight switch problem(Ford recalled for previous year model for this problem, but not 2000), then rear brake leaked. A lot of body roll, mechanics told me the struts were soft but not need to be replaced yet($600 job). Fan squeak during wet weather, steering also squeaks, one window rattles at high speed, and theres other unidentifiable squeak.Will dump it soon. I thought American cars had improved but I was wrong, this is my first Ford and will be the last.

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  Its OK - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Practical - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had my truck for over a year. It does its job good. I have had to replace the starter and the oxygen sensor. I have owned a 96 4cyc ranger before, that one and my current one has the same problem, the driver side door sensor has problems stopping the "door opem" chim when the door is closed and its hot outside. After having 2 Rangers its time for something different. I have 5 TSBs that refer to my current truck. Dont lower trucks, they look exteremly ugly.

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  1998 Ford Windstar GL - Big disappointme - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By Mia - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I own a 1998 Ford Windstar GL which I bought new in 1997. It needed a transmission within 2 years, has made a squeaking noise which they can not find since I first bought it. Now 4 years & 64,000 miles later it stalls when you stop for a light the whole car shakes when stopped and chugs and sounds like there is a washing machine in the engine and no one can figure out what it wrong with it. I spent two years running back and forth to the dealer with it and they never fixed some of the problems that exist to this day!! I will never buy a FORD product again. Ford should stand for fix or repair daily or found on road dead!!!!!

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  Buy a Chevy - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By edt - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Truck ran great for the first three years, then just about after the warranty ran out the check engine light came on. In the shop multiple times, damn thing just runs rough. Mileage sucks, too. Only about 15 mpg...and thats highway fellas!

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  Dont buy standard GT, 2002-BEWARE!!!!! - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By BEWARE! - June 3 - 2:00 am

  BEWARE of the 2002-2003 GT Mustang Deluxe....it has an engine problem that the engineers "are still working on" it idles VERY rough unless you have the air conditioner on- then it settles down. Since you cant drive in the winter with the air on..it is a problem.The service dept. says it is with all standard GTs of those years. It is building up carbon...so take it in!!!!!!!!! They are replacing sensors and such,,,but to no avail! Mine is not the only one!!!BEWARE!!!!!you will hate it. it is junk. I bought it at invoice and am upset down by 10,000. They do not hold ANY value...BEWARE!!