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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  Safety, Power, and Smooth Ride, Awesome - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Stan B. - March 23 - 2:30 am

  To anyone considering this vehicle, do not believe the negative comments about power. I have just come back from a 500 mile round truip visit to the Inlaws and let me tell you my honest thoughts. This car is Incredible. It rides smooth, quiet and the POWER is very nice. I had to lay off the gas several times because the Freestyle had crept up to 85 mph without my even knowing it. My suggestion is get it with the DVD player if you have kids; it makes road trips heavenly! This car has so much for under $30,000, it is a steal. I had one road bike and 6 extra large duffle bags in the back and still had room. Car is very FUN to drive. Gas mileage is awesome, COMFORT & SAFETY make it worthwhile

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  My Baby - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Karen - March 23 - 12:08 am

  My baby sleeps outside every night and never complains. She doesnt cough or sputter when the weather gets cold. She doesnt blow her top and get freaky when it gets really hot. Gently she carries me daily mile after mile. It has the comfort and control of a finely tuned high performance car. I fear she has only one fault that I can find, with her front end as low to the ground it leaves the radiator and condenser sitting ducks for any small creature with a death wish. My only hope is that they redesign the protection of these by perhaps a deflector or stronger bracket.With that said, my Focus has been the most dependable car Ive ever owned ... I LOVE HER!

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  Aluminum Body F150 Not all its cracked up to be! - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Dan - March 23 - 12:01 am

  Every few years my boss will replace my company truck with a new one. He is a die hard Ford fan going all the way back to something GM did to him back in the 70s. Because of that I have gone through the last 3 generations of the F150 (2003, 2010 and now the 2015). My job requires a truck, but it doesnt require me to use it to haul much very often. About once or twice a month I will move product around in excess of 1000-1200 lbs and maybe as much as 4000 lbs including a trailer. My first trip with a load was with 1200 miles on the odometer. It was a personal trip from KC to Ohio to pick up a car I purchased. It was an old Monte Carlo (3300lbs) and I used a dolly to pull it back. 99% of the trip was across I70. Within just a few miles of picking up the car I got my first scare. I was on a two lane going about 50-55 mph and came around a gentle right hand corner with a group of trees blocking my view all the way through the corner. Part way through I realized there was a raised RR track coming up and I needed to slow down. I probably had a half mile but was taking it pretty easy getting used to the feel of the car and dolly behind me. I applied the brake to start slowing up the truck while still coming around the corner slightly. The truck felt like the back tires came of the ground! It pushed over to the left as if I was on a patch of ice. My first thought was that I made a big miscalculation and the car was to heavy for the truck. The tow capacity for my truck is supposed to be 7600 lbs as optioned though. The hole trip home was a bit nerve racking. I got used to the trucks response to the weight behind it and figured out that the biggest issue was turning. The rear suspension is so soft that any side load pushes the truck in a manner that would make you think you have two flat tires on the back. It a straight line, it feels much better, although still very soft. I was not filled with confidence and conceded to the fact that I was going to be making a slow trip home in the right lane with the cruise set at 60-65 mph max. It was very slow going anytime I came into a city or road construction. I had to make sure to give myself plenty of room so as not to need to make any emergency maneuvers as I was positive the truck would not tolerate it. I ended that trip wondering if it was the car, the trailer, or something else that caused the truck to be so squirrelly. Since then Ive used the truck a few time with and without a trailer to move different size loads round KC for work. On one occasion I had a new Honda Rubicon fourwheeler in the back. What Ive learned is that anything over 300, maybe 400 pounds depending on how its loaded in the bed of the truck, and about 1200 lbs trailer weight turns the truck into a big mush box. It is always fine in a straight line, but feels like it wants to slide out or tip over if you go around a corner that gets a little tight on the highway. My feeling is that FORD has worked so hard to make the F150 a comfortable daily driver that they have gotten to far away from the truck actually being a safe truck to use for work. The suspension is tuned to be soft and that makes it weak when you put a load on it. The ecoboost engine (2.7) that I have is very strong and responsive if you call on it to provide that. I was supposed to get something like 18-19 mpg overall. Not even close. The Ford gauge likes to tell me Im getting 17, but it is incorrect. If you calculate the mileage, you typically get between 1 and 1.5 mpg less then the gauge states. My current overall average of mixed driving is 16.3. If you really work hard at it, and I mean work hard, you can squeeze out 18mg out of a tank. The aluminum body is noisy. The roof makes all sorts of noise in the wind on the hwy. Sounds like a metal HVAC duct popping as it heats up when your heater turns on in the winter. Except it isnt one pop, its multiples. And at around 10k miles on the truck, the bed starting making a popping sound when I drive over and uneven surface such as pulling in or out of my drive. The F150 is no longer a worthwhile truck in my opinion. Its loaded with neat features and the cab is comfortable. There are more electronics then every before that I am concerned about based off of previous experience (Ford electronics seem to have a short life expectancy for some reason). The cost of this truck compared to others was quite high. Insurance cost went up about 25% because of the aluminum body. If I was making the decision and it was my money, the truck that replaces this one will not be a Ford.

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  Takes a licking - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By Joe - March 22 - 10:22 pm

  This car wont stop.Ive had it for 15 years and had no major problems besides recalls. I call it ol reliable. It always starts and runs like new. Ive had no degradation of gas milage or performance. Its too bad that the resale value is so low for such a reliable vehicle.

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  Ill Never Buy Another Ford - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By FordNeverAgain - March 22 - 11:39 am

  Bought my Explorer with 32,000 miles. At 42,000 transmission blew. At 58,000 transmission blew again. At 72,000 needed ball joints upper and lower both sides, wheel bearing right side tie rods, rotors, brakes, shocks, and tires. I can go with the brakes, shocks and tires -- normal wear but the suspension, no way. At 86,000 head gasket blew and is in the garage again. When it comes out it will be traded, I will not buy another Ford. This vehicle sees all highway. no city. No off road. I really like the Escape but too scared to go through the expense again. 2 transmissions $3200, front end work $2000, now head gasket $1100, coupled with the price of the vehicle I could of bought a Lexus.

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  Transmission Issues on a 2003! - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By CW - March 22 - 5:06 am

  This will be the first and last American made car I ever buy. After 13 years of driving Japanese vehicles and having excellent performance and reliability I decided to buy an American made SUV. The Ford Explorer may be the #1 selling SUV but I have spent $4k in repairs after owning the car only 6 months. Besides having low quality rotors that were not able to be turned, the transmission had to be rebuilt. Ford would offer nothing to me even though the SUV is only 2 years old (barely out of warranty). From now on I will stick to Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.

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  best pickup I have ever owned - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Terry - March 22 - 4:26 am

  Use this vechile for my business and to pull a 7,400 pound trailer. Pulls better than any of my previous trucks. Gas mileage could be better.

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  The Little Car that Could... - 1999 Ford Escort
  By Hbgguppy - March 22 - 2:13 am

  I bought my Escort in a pinch. I had just bought my first house and very quickly realized the expenses of home ownership. I traded in my Ford Expedition and bought my Escort, cutting my car payment in half. Having owned SUVs for years and years, I wanted another "full cabin on frame" vehicle. Nothing car be more frustrating than trying to wedge a book shelf in the back of a sedan in the IKEA parking lot. I soon fell in love with the "little car that could". 4 years later and Im still attached to "Fred" as hes now known. I particularly enjoy the visibility while parallel parking and making fast lane changes during rush hour traffic. Hes been a darn good car to me.

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  Not bad, no complaints - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By dn010 - March 22 - 1:35 am

  I purchased a V6 XLT 2X4 in 2010 used from a dealer with 56K, I am now at about 87K. Issues Ive experienced: one rear wheel bearing went bad, replaced for about $75 doing the work myself, also had check engine light for engine under-heating, replaced stuck open thermostat myself and turned off the light with my code reader - good to go. Ive put in new rear brake pads only, spark plugs, I keep the engine happy with full synthetic. I drive to NY from FL yearly, gone up and back twice (over 2400 miles each trip) and have had no problems. I can TOW my 25 cuddy boat @ 4K lbs and my 18 boat @ around 2500 - can pull the 18 out of the water, havent tried with the 25 and I doubt I will.

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  Ford Focus 2005 - 2005 Ford Focus
  By blan49 - March 21 - 7:11 pm

  The ride is sporty and the road handling is very good. The car is practical in layout and function. Ford has been okay about service. The gas mileage is a flat out lie. City driving is about 21.5 mpg, no where near the 26 mpg claims. I believe fuel accuracy is important in selling an auto. They blow it on this point.