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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  2013 Ford Taurus Limited - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By 88vette69 - September 7 - 11:33 pm

  Wonderful car. I just traded in my 2012 Ford Focus SEL on a dealer demo 2013 Ford Taurus Limited. Sticker price was 39,900 and I picked it up for 30,800. It had almost all of the options including the 20" chrome wheels, the massaging seats, and just about everything else you could think of. I absolutely love everything about this car. Yes, I have read all of the reviews about it being outdated, small interior, ect... but personally I just love the looks and feel of this car. I have owned a couple of corvettes, mustangs, and other sport cars, but now that I am older with 2 kids, I needed a larger car. This car has plenty of power, is very luxurious, and is fun to drive.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By kotch80 - September 7 - 10:25 am

  I have 30k on my SHO so far and its been great. I had to take it in once for a TSB relating to a front axle noise and a loose B pillar panel but other than that its been problem free. Im kind of shocked at the low ratings Edmunds gave the SHO.

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  Love at first sight. - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By bhuggy - September 5 - 11:12 am

  Bought the car with exactly 150k miles a little over a year ago. I absolutely fell in love with the car when I saw an ad for it in my hometown. I replaced a few sensors and a muffler and we were good to go! Well.. sort of. Now, I love this car but you need to know what youre getting into. This is not a budget car. Maintenance is not cheap and you can get in over your head if youre not careful. Other than that I swear that a few electrical problems have actually fixed themselves. The alternator used to make the wipers slow down when idling. It hasnt done that since winter. Also the wipers used to stop halfway across the windshield on intermittent but it hasnt done that in a long time.

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  Transmission problem - 2013 Ford Focus
  By nursesue1 - September 5 - 9:13 am

  I am very unhappy with the "new transmission" Ford has put in the new 2013 Focus. My car is 7 months old and has had 4 visits for the same issue. Last month it was in the shop for almost 2 weeks due to a leak of a seal and needing a new clutch. The transmission shifts inappropriatly and puts me at high risk for smashing into a car ahead of me. The answer given by the Ford employees is that I need to learn the car and how to drive it. Unacceptable answer!

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  Throttle Body issues - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By lcorder - September 4 - 8:00 pm

  This has been a good car for us, weve had it for about 3 years now. Some issues that we have been having is with the throttle body. Going 70 miles an hour and the gas pedal stops working is a bit scary. Driving down the road and it cuts off at any point with no warning due to the throttle body is even more scary. Ford charges $400.00 for the part to fix even though its a safety issue and several have been having the same issue. Also minor things like chrome pealing off the interior door handles, parking break button. Paint wearing off interior pieces. Note: That my car gets detailed about once every two weeks so its not from a lack of care just bad quality.

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  2006 Freestar Transmissions Fail as With 04 05 07 - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By paulflovillaga - September 4 - 5:29 pm

  They all have the same problem: Torque converter shaft shatters, causing instant loss of power, typically in intersections, from a stop.

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  It was fun to drive when it ran - 2012 Ford Focus
  By gris1969 - September 4 - 10:12 am

  I have not had my car in a while. Seven weeks ago it broke down and Ford cant seem to fix it and they are on there 3rd try. I have had loaner after loaner waiting. It was a nice car until hitting around 33k miles and then it turned into the joke of my workplace. Maybe Ill get a new one out of the lemon law. I have the manual transmission and the problem with the car is when you go to start it, it tries to start but shuts right off.

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  Terrible Transmission - Buy something else - 2013 Ford Focus
  By eyandell - September 3 - 6:59 pm

  The interior build quality, sync capability and low cabin noise is what attracted me to this car. Now that Ive had it for about 3 months its quite possibly the worst new car I have ever owned. The MyTouch Sync system is very glitchy and slow. The premium sound system burps when at low volume and anything with bass comes on the radio and I dont listen to rap or anything with excessive bass to begin with. The worst part is the transmission. I have had the software updated twice and Im scheduled for another appointment for a transmission that feels like its loose and slipping. I will never own another Ford product after the experience Ive had.

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  Disappointed - 2011 Ford Edge
  By review8 - September 3 - 1:32 pm

  Had this car less than 2 years under 30,000 miles. Already returned to the dealership 6 times. Had service for replacement of the main computer chip, replace defective power window switch, faulty fuel injectors, and a couple of sync issues. This was not a cheap vehicle, sticker over $40 grand. Cant take it anywhere afraid wont get home. As soon as I get back from shop trading it in on something other than a Ford!

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  Our 2012 Focus Titanium Hatchback Lemon - 2012 Ford Focus
  By rwig44 - September 3 - 12:30 pm

  My wife and I ordered this car loaded....even had mud flaps installed. The car drove well...but at the 10,000 mile service, Duval Ford, found the brake master cylinder was bad, even though my wife had had the car in the shop previously for brakes not working properly and all they did, was add brake fluid to the master cylinder THe Sync system always had problems, automatic windows would become unresponsive, radio would change stations after receiving a phone call. At 20,000 miles the main seals on the engine are leaking, when they tear into it, found both shaft seals on transmission leaking and damaged clutch pack. We No Longer own a Ford.