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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  Expected Lots more from this clunky V8 - 1992 Ford F-150
  By phish - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall, its your basic work truck. I wouldnt travel cross country with it, but if you have short distances to drive everyday and dont mind spending some cash for upkeep its worth the money. It has never broken down, but has been in the shop 8-10 times over the last year. The braking has been a mystery to me and to Ford dealerships as well. It pulls to the right, to the left, sometimes not at all. Also, it seems that anything under the hood that comes in contact with coolant, has had problems: heater core, water pump, weak hoses, you name it, its gone wrong.

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  Had enough - 1997 Ford Escort
  By hopping mad - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in brand new in June of 1997. I have had nothing but problems with it. At 18000 miles the drive shaft belt went and crank shaft. Luckily it was still under warrenty. At about 20,000 miles the check coolant lite went on and stay on. So far I have had a new radiator installed, new rear rotators put on and new cv joints which still are not working right. Plus new brakes. As far as I am concern I am ready to trade this car in.

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  High Priced Junk - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Mike_A - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had it less than a year and its been in the shop 3 times. First the dealer sold me the bad Firestone tires which needed a recall. Next was the power stearing pump when out and the third was my oil pressure guage went haywire and come to find out almost all of the oil sensors had to be replaced. I have the 4x4 loaded model and baby it, dealer oil changes, garaged parked at work and home, never in snow/mud/rain completely taken care of. And the wind noise is unbearable at times, everyone that rides in it makes the same commit "what is that noise". The first chance to unload it for the loan amount its sold....any buyers???

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  FORD= FIX IT REPAIR DAILY I - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By purpleturtle - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT THE WRONG CAR AC WENT 3 TIMES TYE RODS FIVE TIMES SPRINGS SHOCKS ETC WENT TO CRUISE CONTROLL WENT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ESPICALLY PEOPLE WHO SAY THIS COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME WELL IT HAPPEN TO ME! EVEN THE DEALER TO WHO I TRADED IT TO WAS UPSET AT ME FOR TRADING IT IN. I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IN MY MAZDA TRUCK. FORD STOCK IS NOW AT $10.00 THERE IS NOTHING GOOOD ABOUT FORD. I NOW DRIVE A SUBARAU WOW !

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  Do not buy this car - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By No more Fords - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Engine blew up 18 days after warranty expired. Ford knows this V6 is a lemon and is dodging responsibility.

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  im disapointed - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Chris Clattenburg - September 15 - 2:00 am

  i bought this vehicle from my friend who was moving but had bought his truck 6 months earlier.It has bad fuel mileage and I already had to get a new power steering pump and I had to get a newfan belt.It just isnt performing the way a 1998 truck should .I wouldnt recommend this vehicle to anyone that doesnt like sitting on the side of the highway waiting for road side assistance.I just sold the truck and I will never buy another one in my life.

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  Dont keep long - 1990 Ford Escort
  By novice - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Its my first car, too. Bought it cheap. Then it sucked huge amount of money in repair, almost triple my purchase price. Bad engine, burn oil. Rattling auto transmission. Narrow interior space. Loose door knobs. Troublesome ignition system (its history showed that it was recalled by manufacturer for this problem, but I didnt know it when I bought it). Slow acceleration.

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  Never buy a Ford again! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By tominVA - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Bottom line...LEMON! Just had the Transmission repaired for $1,060 on a 4 yr old vehicle w/ 71,000 miles! Mechanic said they dont this kind of failure on cars with 140000 miles! Spent the holidays driving the 1988 Camry I gave to my Dad when I bought this van (it has 150000 miles!) Have expierenced multiple little problems with the electrical system, doors, and idler control motor. All of which dealers say they find no problems. Have been religious with maintenance/tune ups expecting this car would last 7-8 yrs. Im unloading this quickly and going back to a Toyota!

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  Totaled -- Thanks! - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Ford No More - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car for my daughter in 1999 with 70,000 miles on it based on safety and hoped-for reliability. Way wrong! Would have been better off spending more for a Toyota. The Taurus has been a money-pit. Fuel pump ($700), A/C ($1800), and on, and on. As my daughter kept saying, "its dying again!". Worse yet, even though the car was already 7 years old when purchased, its lost 75% of its cost over the past 3 years! She just got rear-ended (shes fine) and the car was totaled. Im SO glad!

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  Couldnt Wait to Get Rid of It - 1996 Ford Contour
  By JoyP - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I had a lot of problems with the car. The first day I owned it the check engine light went on, that should have been a sign that the car was a piece of junk. By the time I got rid of it I didnt even want to sell it to anyone, I traded it in to the dealer so they could deal with it.