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 the best but manageable. - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Jaime - May 6 - 11:43 pm

  Average car. Good condition when I got it. Some minor problems needed to be fixed. But all repairs were affordable. The paint scratches very easily. Minor problems on engine. Interior is a little challenging when things start to pop up (dash panel pad). Its a nice car in some ways. Meaning average. Saves gas a lot more than older cars Ive driven. Just dont speed. So far reliable performance.

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  Great Looks, Bad Ride - 2004 Ford F-150 Heritage
  By jcrawlinson - May 5 - 11:56 pm

  Got an excellent deal on a used 2004 Ford Heritage F-150 XLT 4x4. Big, shiny, comfortable! In 2010, however, the [non-permissible content removed] the fan. The 4x4 literally fell apart. There is no reason I should have had to have the suspension, transfer case, and transmission completely replaced in a 6 year old vehicle with under 100,000 miles. Pour quality. I will never buy a Ford 4x4 again and may never buy a Ford again.

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  2001 SELTaurus - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By E Gossett - May 2 - 7:18 pm

  I was very pleased with this car until I had problems with the transmission. With only 31K, A small $4.00 bearing broke apart damaging the entire transmission resulting in $2500.00 in repairs. The transmission shop stated that they had other Tauruss with transmission problems for this particular year. This car has a nice appealing body style, however the curved door at the door handle dents easily when hit from other car doors. I mailed Ford Motor company a letter and asked for a response about my transmission problem, but they never did. Ford Motor company in my view, doesnt care about the value of their customers. I do not trust Ford Motor company, nor will I buy a Ford car again.

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  A/C gone bad - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By A/C gone bad - May 2 - 10:00 am

  A/C quits blowing after several hours of continous use. After taking into the dealer the third time, they say they cant fix it because they dont know how! The Ford engineers are working on it. Thanks for telling me the first time I brought it in! Paint flaking off the front. Lock bar inside drivers door has broke three times.

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  Too Soon To Tell - 2002 Ford Focus
  By FirstFord - April 29 - 7:09 am

  My wife and I replaced my old SUV with a compact to help alleviate rising fuel costs. The car is not all that bad to drive, and weve yet to have any problems. Well, except for three (3): 1. it can only get 20 m.p.g in city driving 2. the front left tire cannot hold air and we had all four tires replaced at point of sale 3. the trunk lid opens at inconvenient times. The sticker claims the EPA fuel rating is 26/30, city/hwy. That in and of itself isnt great for a compact, but 20 m.p.g or even less surprised me. Still, the purchase price was fair and the dealer treated us with respect. Time will tell if were willing to buy another Ford or go back to Toyota.

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  Mine lost its breaks 4 times - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By IHATEFORD - April 25 - 3:40 pm

  My escape hybrid has had complete break failure 4 time in two years and 3 times in 3 weeks. Ford cant figure out what the problem is. They replaced the master breaking cylinder and while road testing the car, the breaks went out on them. Ford headquarters also takes no responsibility for the breaks and has basically told me I had to deal with the problem. I asked that they put in writing that the car is safe to drive when the repairs are finally done, but they refuse to do that saying it would be fraudulent since Ford doesnt do the repairs, Ford "dealers" do the repairs.

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  Not that bad - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Tosh - April 25 - 10:00 am

  No matter how I drive, I always get 15.6 to 16 MPG. Some times brakes makes noise (The dealer cannt help), A strange noise on my side windows (Dont know where its coming from). Anyway other then those probems, its not bad.

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  Could do without the dealers - 2000 Ford Focus
  By cheeseshark - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I have moved 3 times (all away from my purchasing dealer) since purchasing my ZX3. It has been through every recall and program (7 or 8 now, I think) and at each step I have had to bear the burden of ford dealers who treat each request for service as though it were MY faulty craftsmanship that created the service needs (1 exception, University Ford, Peoria, IL -great attitudes and service). But, Ive moved again and I now take my vehicle to a local mechanic for EVERYTHING.

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  Well designed, but poorly constructed - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By J040227 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicule as a replacement for our Explorer since to accomodate our growing family. The vehicle interior is very well designed to accept the whole family and the load that comes with it. Its comfortable and has very good handling. BUT quality of the vehicle is mediocre: tinted windows appear somewhat dirty; windows are noisy when sliding up or down, various noises, windshield wipers that wont wipe, etc. Some problems have been fixed, and for the others, well, neither Ford nor dealer wants to help despite obvious problems confirmed by 3rd- party.

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  Ford - Quality is Job One???? - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By TreManFoo - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Abosolutely pitiful build quality. The dashboard rattles and squeeks incessantly from no less than three different areas. And the center console makes a loud knocking noise while driving, the cheap plastic began cracking after less than two months on the road. Lets see...the overhead console dangles from the roof because only 2 of the four screws were actually installed at the factory; and my favorite - the doors are made out of recycled beer cans, I believe. When you close the doors you get a crashing metal-on-metal sound, not the nice solid "whoomp" that other new vehicles (that cost far less, btw) exhibit. The ride is terrible...wear your kidney belt.