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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  Ford mess up! - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Playboy32783 - March 14 - 6:01 pm

  Since April of 2005 I have had a problem with the ABS and brake light, was not fixed correctly until December 2005. The emergency brake cable snapped, the speedometer was replaced, my windshield was leaking (was replaced before for a defect in the factory glue that holds the rubber seal), a piece of the arm rest keeps falling off! The button to lock the rear power windows gets jammed all the time, fixed once before, still getting jammed! (This was a brand new car when I bought it). More new problem occruing. too much to list. I do enjoy the design of the car, but there are just too many problems with it.

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  A nice looker & driver / keeps you broke - 1996 Ford Contour
  By Larry James - March 9 - 1:31 pm

  Car purchased by my wife with 35k miles, she puts 34 miles a day to work and home. Within the first year tires were shot, alignment bad, replaced ball joints, the large belt. Then at 50k to 60k miles front wheel bearings, Brake rotors, calipers. since then alternator, large belt. Now at 120k the front wheel bearings and brake rotors (warped) and now head gasket!

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  Brake Problems Galore - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Not Again - March 9 - 10:07 am

  We love the Expeditions looks and capabilities. However, weve had nothing but problems since purchasing. The brakes and/or rotors need replaced every 6 months. Neither the dealer or Ford will admit theres a problem. And no, its not the driving style as weve never experienced problems like this with other SUVs or cars. Never again with a Ford.

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  . - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By PONYDISSAPOINTMENT - March 8 - 2:00 am

  FOR THE MONEY, WITH A STANDARD V6 YOUR JUST PAYING FOR THE NAME. ZERO STANDARD OPTIONS. FOR GODS SAKE, YOU DONT EVEN GET FLOOR MATS, CARGO NET TO KEEP EVERYTHING FROM MOVING ABOUT IN TRUNK. CRUISE CONTROL AND AN ASHTRAY ARE EVEN CONSIDERED OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT TOO. MANUAL TRANSMISSION ALREADY SOUNDS FUNKY WITH ONLY 1800 MILES ON IT. SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE DELUXE MODEL, OR BETTER YET, WISH I HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE 2005 MODEL. I WOULD HAVE WAITED TILL THEN TO PURCHASE.

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  Upset in Oregon - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Domestic? - March 7 - 10:41 pm

  I lived in a small town with big weather. Two weeks after I purchased the truck it snowed a lot. Ive had nothing but problems with the four wheel drive since and the 5 star dealership couldnt care less. This is not the first Ford Ive ever owned but Ive had about as much luck with all. Like a lot of people I know Im going to try a Dodge and if that doesnt work out Ill begin looking in the foreign markets. I hear Toyotas doing interesting things with their 4x4s.

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  Not a very good car - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Kissy - March 7 - 10:00 am

  About twenty recalls in a year. Horrendous repair record; battery cables, alternator, headlight seals, engine warning lights, tires, whels, radiator and I have forgotten some. Wrote President of Ford who basically said thjat since the car had not been to their dealership since September 2001 there obvously is nothing wrong with the car, Look at the recall list a shudder.

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  ongoing project - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By Susanne563 - March 7 - 9:46 am

  We bought this truck because we needed a vehicle to easily tow a boat and a trailer. We only have 74,000 miles on it and so fat the suspension had to be repaired 2 times, the torque converter, the instrument cluster, the mirror, the window, the stereo and now the transmission again and the head gasket nothing -- but problems. I would not recommend this truck to anyone a true lemon. We only put 22,000 miles on this truck the head gasket should not go this early. Always did the recommended service and oil change. Ford needs to seriously improve quality.

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  Good 4 the price? - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Robert - March 7 - 2:14 am

  Good for the price. Good gas mileage for its size. Great room around trunk, in front and back seats. I get an odd rattle/humming from under the hood. Cons: hard seat for traveling, poor expected resale value doesnt ride, handle or stop as well as top competitors, and a few times acted like it stalled when quickly accelerated.

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  So So Expedition - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By JK - March 6 - 9:17 am

  I bought my Expedition because I got a great deal on it. Interior is reasonably comfortable, however the exterior styling is poor. I previously owned a Yukon XL which got better mileage, had a more luxurious interior and had a better exterior appearance. I have a two year lease on my Expedition and will lease a Yukon XL Denali when my current lease expires.

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  end of warranty is "sell by" date - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By conflicted1 - March 1 - 2:26 am

  Purchased used in 2011 with 32,000 miles, for road trips, which it excelled at. Noticed that the drivers side of the second row bench seat did not want to fold. Found that spraying silicone lube in the mechanisim and then exercising it weekly kept it working. The tach would go nuts from time to time, reading 500-1000rpm too high, or 500rpm too low. Ford seems to have expected this and built in a mechanism to rezero the tach and speedo. 25 seconds after the engine is shut off, both the tach and speedo needles swing counterclockwise for a moment, then return. When the tach went nuts, up to three start stop cycles, to provoke the rezero process, would correct it.