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 Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By DNR - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a used 2000 with 28,000mi. This vehicle has been in the shop 3 times in 6mo. Ive had both CV joints replaced. The most recent repair was for a blown TRANSMISSION! Dealer was horrible and rude. In addition to the major problems, the cassette deck doesnt work and much of the insde and outside trim work is constantly falling off. Im going back to a Japanese-made car, they still seem to care about quality.

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  Buy a Chevrolet Impala. - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By keibieone - December 23 - 10:00 am

  The 3.0 Vulcan V6 engine belongs in a compact car. The pick up is sluggish and it has no top end. Other V6 base model Midsize Sedans such as the Chevrolet Impala and the Dodge Intrepid simply blow you away on the expressways. My 2001 Taurus has had a front end vibration from the date of purchase. After many visits to several dealerships for this and other issues, Ive simply given up and decided to live with my regretful decision for having purchased this car. Ive had the pleasure of driving a 2001 Chevrolet Impala recently, and what an all around positive difference.

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  NICE LOOKING PIECE OF CRAP - 1995 Ford Contour
  By MEGSNEGS - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS, HOWEVER, IT WAS ONLY DRIVEABLE FOR 2 MONTHS. TRANSMISSION SENSORS WENT OUT- BOTH OF THEM, BELTS BROKE. CUPHOLDERS BROKE OFF,RADIO STOPPED WOR

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  Dont buy it - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By JodiN - December 22 - 2:00 am

  In short, 10 things went wrong with it in 12 months. I bought the Limited version, loaded, everything went wrong including transmission going out at 16000 miles. Major electrical problems. Uncomfortable second row seating. Pain to remove the third row seat when necessary. For the price, its a rip off.

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  4 months... and $1,000+ later - 1992 Ford Tempo
  By Chris Goodrich - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 4 months ago. Since then, I had to put a starter in, brakes (2 times), head gasket, the transmission is slipping BAD (have NOT replaced it), 4 new tires, an alignment/balance, cadalitic converter (ignore my spelling please), power steering AND the power steering AND oil leaks, STILL, plus I just found out that the motor is only running on 1 cylinder (instead of 4). I wont be replaceing the motor. The car stalls out if I am not hitting the gas ALL THE TIME, it smokes from the moment I start the car till I turn it off (but is not overheating), AND everything possible is leaking. What a waste of money!

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  More trouble than its worth - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By Camm - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Have owned this car for 3 years and use it to commute 80 miles round trip. The first year was fine. Since then, the car has had nothing but problems. When cold, the car stalls when starting from a stop - Dealer denies anything wrong. Rear brake auto adjusters - dont. Car has left me stranded twice due to bypass hose bursting - last time it took out my radiatior and water pump too. Would love to leave this car in driveway running in the hope that someone would steal it.

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  Common Features Not Present - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By The Truth - December 10 - 2:00 am

  10,000 miles on my 2002 Sport Track.In shop twice: 1st-pioneer 6-cd in-dash player wouldn’t play or eject CDs, and 2nd - multiple issues-drivers side window wouldn’t raise up; fuel pump problem; and plastic piece broke off the cage extender. Also, poor turning radius, noisy road ride, no lock for glove compartment, no option to recycle the air (except when using max AC, which doesn’t work when you need heat), and if you drive with a woman, shell note there’s no light on vanity mirror. And lastly, if you ever have to sleep in it, the seats do not fully recline. Sport Track is a great concept-but cheaply implemented by Ford.

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  Ford Windstar 1996 - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Raj K Pai - December 7 - 2:00 am

  After the van crossed 60000 miles I have had nothing but problems. The van needs to have repairs every 30-60 days.

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  Top 5 problems of a 96 Ford Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By rjf - December 6 - 2:00 am

  5-Electrical problems. 4-Speedometer fails. 3-Front suspension wore out. 2-Antifreeze leaking. 1-Oil leaking. Good bye Windstar. Hello Honda.

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  Dont get a windstar - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By bellcurve - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 97 Windstar. It was functional and did what it was intended to do - hull people. Then chose the basic 02 Windstar - and what difference. 1. Outside noise 2. Cheep and flimsy material (inside and out) 3. Annoying seat belt beeper 4. Inside lights shorted out 5. Feels like the wind could push the van over. 6. Poor excelleration, rough ride. 7. Visionless. It seems like they took an old formula and then simply tried to make money by cheepening all of the parts. The only revisions you get with newer models is price cuts in production with little in the way of new amenities. Very poor van. Will never get another one.