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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  Solid but spartan Minivan - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Ken - September 17 - 12:42 pm

  This is my Fleet Vehicle for work provided new after having driven the Windstar for a year. I LOVED the Windstar features, the Freestar was a downgrade for interior comfort, in my opinion. I do 35,000 miles per year, mostly highway driving, so the interior is important to me for 10 hours per week. In short, the seat design was uncomfortable especially the angle of the immovable headrest for a 6-3" head. The thin plastic interior paneling felt and looked like polyethylene Tupperware. Reliability, mileage, exterior styling were excellent. I have the original brakes, tires and only normal maintenance is required.

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  Dont buy the 4.2 V6 - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Pete - September 14 - 12:47 am

  I had this truck for 7 years and its been reliable until it reached 89,000 miles. Both head gaskets blew, but I found out this is a very common problem for 97-99 F150s with the 4.2 V6. STAY AWAY FROM THE 4.2!

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  no more Fords here - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By justin - September 13 - 2:28 am

  Rear fan for A/C and heating goes out every year for $100 a pop. OUCH! After 100,000 miles transmission, shelled out. $2800. Now A/C compressor locked up. $750. Very high maintenance on this van. Also has trouble with dust on auto door locks. Suspect poor engineering and will now look into higher quality vehicles. Good-by Ford, hope you do well with one less customer.

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  Not a fun car - 1999 Ford Escort
  By Bob995 - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I have a 99 Escort SE and I hate it. It is very uncomfortable. It is so slow I have trouble pulling into freeway traffic. Forget about anyone but very small children riding in the back seat for more than a couple minutes.

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  Ages poorly - 1993 Ford F-150
  By whofan - September 11 - 12:58 am

  My Ford mechanically was a good truck as far as repairs go. The problem is in northern states this truck will fall apart. Rear spring shackles made out of thin gauge steel, rusted through. Oil pan on engine rusted through. Radiator core support rusted through at body mounts. All this on a well cared for truck with minimal body rust. The rear springs were soft for a truck. The 5.0 engine a good motor reliability wise but was a gutless pig. 10 mpg 2WD truck. This model truck was designed in 1980 with yearly updates. Ford was way late in 97 to update their truck. A Chevrolet was a better truck for this year. The Ford was better looking with a nicer interior but a dinosaur it showed behind the wheel.

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  Bad Gaskets! - 1999 Ford F-150
  By Robert - September 9 - 2:19 pm

  The truck has been fine and Ive babied it for six years. In the past three years, its been a third vehicle, so hasnt gotten much use. Now I discovered it needs a head gasket replaced! This is a $2,000 job and I find this unacceptable for a babied, 75,000-mile vehicle. Last Ford I will ever own.

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  OK, but not going to buy FORD again - 1995 Ford Explorer
  By BK - September 6 - 10:45 am

  Bought used at 58K miles. Taken it to 110K. For when we bought it, it was a good car, in terms of ride and features. The rides always felt a little vague and tippy, but that comes with the class. Great in snow. Had to deal w/the tire recall, multiple front end failures (ball joints X2, tie rods etc.) and now cruise control switch fire hazard. Ive put in $5600 in repairs over 8 years (not including oil). $700 per year avg. We drive low mileage, around town, and follow maintenance schedules.

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  Ford missed a few things... - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By jon renner - September 6 - 2:00 am

  ...Like lighted power window and door lock toggles, light for interior of console between seats, power adjustable lumbar seats, headliner console with compass/temp displays. Come on Ford... there are many of us outh here who actually want and use this stuff and will pay for it - just make it available. Also, the seats are not at all comfortable. I may sell this unit just because I spend so much time in these crappy seats.

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  another Ford - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By dave - September 5 - 5:33 pm

  The 3.0 just doesnt have the power for todays highways, not even talking about the poor gas mileage of 18.5 if I am real careful. Just sold my 91 Ranger with 168,000 and it was able to get 22+ miles per gal. and the 4.0 engine was very great with plenty of power.

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  Theres good news, theres bad news - 1994 Ford Aerostar
  By Gotepen - September 5 - 9:17 am

  I bought this Aerostar when it had 22,000 miles on it. It has never stranded me by the side of the road (unlike my Escort!), but it has given me some scares such as when the throttle control was dying and the darn thing was doing the herky-jerky on the interstate at 70mph! As with all Fords, the electrical stuff is crap. Gauges that cant be trusted, dash lights that flicker, idiot lights that light up whenever they feel like it. However, the engine is strong, strong, strong. This vehicle will run for another 100k. No problems with transmission either. Can haul anything, massive storage capacity. Decent mileage, 18/24! Rear brakes never worked, all braking done in front.