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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  200 Excursion is a disappointing vehicle - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By BJMittelstaedt - April 19 - 8:19 am

  I had to replace the transmission at 90,000 miles, went to Ford for some help paying for it and they could not have cared less, I have replaced the brakes several times and none of the door locks work, I will not purchase another Ford SUV, have heard better things about GM standing behind their products. Ford Customer Service is rude and difficult to work with.

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  Wore Out at 26,000 Miles - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By nic - April 12 - 8:54 pm

  My 2001 Ford Ranger extended cab 4x4 was pretty nice until it reached the 26,000 mile mark. At that point things started to go bad. It would not start one day. I had it towed to a local dealer. It started for them but they hooked it up to see what the problem was and found nothing wrong, $160.00. A few weeks later when I turned on the four wheel drive, the switch was bad. $500.00. I had used it 3 or 4 times. A few weeks later, again it would not start, fuel pump, $730.00. The bed must come off to replace this. This is when I gave up, and for the first time, bought a new Chevy truck. I waited 30 years to use my Sisters GM discount.

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  Nice car for its time good first car - 1993 Ford Probe
  By Bonka - April 11 - 5:17 pm

  Bought as a winter car with ~132,500 miles. Black on black, loaded and auto. Cousin of the Mazda MX-6, prefer styling on Probe, notably the GT version. Wide 16x7 5-spoke wheels and body accents (spoiler, side skirts, door caps, front bumper) make this a nice looking car. Reasonable power from V6 but weak in the low end. Nice interior layout. Great handling characteristics (weakened by the cheap tires). Stiff suspension. Steering response a little light. Common problems oil leaks which I have (vc gaskets, oil pressure sensor). Automatic is terrible. Hunts for shifts. Requires cooler for longevity. Back seat for looks only. Deep trunk but high lift gate.

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  Nice Truck - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Sharp - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Overall I think its a nice truck. I dont know how its getting all of these 10s by other reviewers. I guess people feel better about a the truck they bought if they give it high ratings on everthing. One problem Ive already had to take it in for is an oil leak. Another problem, which isnt a big deal, is that it seems like everyone in Texas has the same d@mn truck that Ive got. But overall it is a nice truck.

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  They are good until they start to have problems - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By gus heim - April 8 - 6:47 am

  I have had this car for 14 years bought it fro my granddaughter, she needed help! Ehis model was recalled when new because it had a tendency to catch on fire! never had a problem until I needed scheduled maintenance, AND when the transmission finally went out at 123,000 miles. I dont drive very much! A few years ago, I decided to change the spark plugs and couldnt get anyone except the dealer to do it, Very expensive! YOU or I can not get the back plugs out to replace on the V6 4 liter! When the trans. had problems the maintenance is so expensive I decided to replace it myself! It is called the exploder by the shops that work on them. Badly designed and the updates on the 5e55r transmission change the design and engineering to make up for the defects in the original design., original doesnt pump enough oil to lubricate correctly. (No such thing as a recall on this transmission) .Designed badly! The removal of the trans is practically impossible FROM THE BOTTOM for normal people because you must cut the exhaust system out because everything is welded together including the exhaust pipe bolts. (there is very little space to loosen anything) Aluminum engine with iron exhaust manifold is a serious problems, when you loosen bolts they could break easily inside the head! I did the job! and now I will sell because it is a maintenance problem in the future,planned obsolescence! even though beautiful, with a better heavy duty transmission NOW) it is too difficult to work on because of the way it was engineered and put together at the factory,Too complicated,badly designed and hard to fix. BUT , par for the course today.. When I was fixing this SUV I drove my 69 DART GT I HAVE had FOR 40 years! They dont make them like this old car anymore, The question is WHY ? The Explorer is functional and is attractive and comfortable but it is designed to be replaced,not designed to last a long time. These types of vehicles are forced on the people by EPA , I Believe , but all we want is something we can fix and that lasts! 4 wheel drive and automatic, if not necessary is simply in the way of maintenance in the future

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  Unsatisfied consumer - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Kantona - April 7 - 10:41 pm

  Good gas mileage, acceptable performance, not too uncomfortable, but pretty unreliable seems to break down every other month after two years.

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  I drive it - when its running that is.. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Forced To Focus - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This car has been in the shop constantly. Everything from headlight assemblies falling apart, to interior panels from falling off, seatbelts breaking, spontaneous stalling, and the list goes on. My current problem is while driving, all the lights will dim, and the car will try to die, whenever the headlights and heater blower is on. 40,000 miles. I dont recommend buying one, unless youre a masochist.

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  A $31,500 Lemon - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Timothy Ploing - April 7 - 1:43 am

  The paint bubbled up on the front edge of my aluminum hood without having any surface damage to it at all this happened around 38,000 miles! Out of warranty! My Navigation GPS, motor quit around 43,000 miles! I need to replace the cars disk brakes rotors around 48,000 miles! At 55,748 miles the power steering fluid went bad and that ruined my power steering rack! I have never owned a vehicle with this many problems! 36,000 miles warranty.

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  Lemon? Maybe? - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Trent - April 6 - 6:02 pm

  We have owned our 95 Ford Windstar since it was new. We had one blown headgasket replaced under the recall. A second blown head gasket cost us $1,600.00 (not covered under recall). Transmission slipping for the last year (holding our breath). Radio problems, alternator, door ajar lights wont go off (dead battery frustration). Sliding door fell off several times (was told a defect but Ford wont cover it). Leaking water pump, (very expensive labor). Third head gasket just blew ... (forget it...I just put some head gasket sealant in it and it seams to have fixed that problem). The clogged catalytic converter ended up melting our wiring harness (long story) numerous other small things.

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  A step down - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By a step down - April 6 - 3:23 am

  We downsized from a Expedition and with four kids we really have not felt an impact. We go on the normal weekend getaways and the only noticeable difference is the gas savings.