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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  Worst car ever. - 1991 Ford Tempo
  By ford hater - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Something has went wrong with this car every month that Ive had it. Then when you try to fix something it is hard to get at and you end up breaking something else.

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  bad car, avoid - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By hadit - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This pig has been back for repairs regularly since we bought it new. Front end parts, interior pieces break, engine problems. Just replaced tranny, power steering unit, rack and pinion unit, starter, at 64000 miles. Electrical shorts abound with this car. I am fighting with Ford now. They know they have a loser in this one. Avoid at all costs. On my way to get a Honda or Toyota, US automakers do not care or build in quality.

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  2nd worst car ever owned 1st ford tempo - 1995 Ford Contour
  By bobpez - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Crapy from the start. Power steering failed at 20k, both cv joints 40k, first trans went at 70k, dash caught on fire from recalled wiring at 80k, timing belt at 100k snapped, at 120k trans went out again, and sent the car to the junk yard

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  Overall, Not happy - 1991 Ford Explorer
  By Kirby - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle from the original owner in 2000 and have had nothing but problems with it. I now understand why the owners were selling. Within a month, I had to replace the exhaust. Over the two summers that Ive owned it, I have had repairs done to the air conditioning system and on top of that, had to deal with recalls. Dont even get me started on the leaks! Oil, fuel and transmission. Anybody interested in 1991 Explorer? Im looking to get rid of it!

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  DONT waste your money - 1993 Ford Probe
  By Nik - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about a year and a half and it has been nothing but problems. It ran well for about five months but after that its just been money...the parts are SO- expensive (not worth it)

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  F-150 4.2L a big disappointment - 1997 Ford F-150
  By GBG - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 1997 F-150 4.2 V-6 new and had very poor mileage. 20% less than sticker statement. Currently get @12 MPG. Dealer replaced mirror switch @ 2,000 miles,transmission w/in 20,000 miles,turn signal switch @40,000, seat belt mechanism 45,000 miles, water pump and leaky seals on timeing chain cover at 60,000 miles, Factory radio failed completely @ 75,000 miles. Drivers side door has metal fatigue crack near window as in MOST 97-01 f- 150 trucks. Would definetly stay away from the 4.2 V-6 drive train in the future. Currently need complete engine replacement at 88,00 miles due to overall engine wear. dealer wants $4,000 to replace.

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  Nothing but Problems - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By sithjedi71 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2002 Taurus SE in January, and since then it has been a continual trip to the shop every 3 months for something different. Thank God you get a warranty. First the ignition switch kept me from being able to turn the key second the switch that controls shifting went bad third, this one will make you laugh, the battery shorted itself out? and just recently I had the right and left sway bars replaced. This car is priced way to high for the poor power the V6 seems to put out, the seats have no real support if you are in the car for extended periods, and the ride could be quieter. I would not recommend this car, not a good value for the money.

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  2012 Ford Focus Issues - 2012 Ford Focus
  By farz - December 26 - 12:45 pm

  If you think to buy New Ford Focus, think again, Do not do it. My 2012 Ford Focus has lot of issues regards to SYNC system. every day new error masseges for phone conections, one day whole system and screen went black and every thing was off. the car is shaking after long drive if try to take off. there is seat belt safety issues if for any reason unlock the seat belt while driving there will be no worning light or sound also if leave the and come back and start driving there wil be no any sign of worning. over all very poor quality but very nice design. This will be my First and Last Ford Product.

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  ford explorer suv - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By pat crawford - December 26 - 2:00 am

  4.0 engine very poor head desine

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  My last Ford vehicle - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Call me stupid - December 25 - 2:00 am

  BLOWN HEAD GASKETS at 67,749 - 78,330 - 116,731 miles. Note that the two repairs failed to last as long as the original (which was an acknowledged design or manufacture defect). Each time the dealer claimed the problem has been resolved and now Ford has refused to extend their arbitrary 7 year 100,000 mile program. There is no reason to expect a "factory trained technician" is any more qualified to fix these problems than an independent mechanic. Yes, I had the TRANSMISSION BUILT too.