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:

• 

  1995 Ford Taurus - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By car-reviewer - March 9 - 4:08 pm

  I bought a 95 Ford Taurus LX Wagon with leather seats, sunroof, climate control, cruise control,keyless entry system, ABS, and opted for the 3.5 liter V6. After I put on 20,000 miles on this car, it had to be repaired at least 15 times. On numerous occasions I could not even start the car. The engine overheated twice. I held on to it until it had 85,000 miles on it and was about ready to die.

• 

  Overall Disappointment - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Cruising - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Month 2 in the shop electrical problems Month 5 front wheel bearings needed replacing Seats very uncomfortable side bags are not standard air conditioner slow to cool exterior side bar steps are unnecessary poor quality speakers independent suspension makes it wiggle on the highway Cabin very noisy on the road Key ignition is in the wrong place Ford stands behind warranty but who wants so many repairs the first year

• 

  piece of crap... - 1995 Ford Contour
  By LisaD - March 6 - 6:34 pm

  a list of what Ive had to repair in the last 6 MONTHS: transmission, front axle, headlights, wheel bearings, clockspring (ie, horn and airbag), and plus recalls. There have also been many many little annoyances, such as hubcaps that wont stay on, a clock that doesnt light up, and the window crank snapping off in my hand! What gives?

• 

  Transmission Terror - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Jerry Van Sickle - March 4 - 7:06 am

  Replaced transmission at 67,000 miles which cost $3,000 at Ford. There were several electrical problems that cost several hundred dollars out of warranty. Spend the extra money and get a foreign made SUV. You will save in the end.

• 

  crap - 1990 Ford Escort
  By stevewine - March 3 - 5:20 pm

  I brought this car new and after 6 mths wished I hadnt . Had mech problems all the time. The ingnition system was a joke, I went thur 3 ingition moduels in a 20 mth. period . Do NOT buy one of these cars.

• 

  windstar woes - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By cruise00 - March 3 - 2:31 am

  Car is still under warranty but has been repaired more than 5 times!! Very faulty transmission, exceptionally noisy engine, and unreliable wiring. May be unique to this car but has been the poorest vehicle purchase I have ever made!

• 

  It is not a Toyo! - 1995 Ford Ranger
  By peterMC - March 2 - 10:34 pm

  Have had some annoying electrical and emission problems that keep needing to get fixed.

• 

  a truly annoying car - 2016 Ford Taurus
  By Sam - February 28 - 10:21 pm

  This review is based on renting the car for 5 days. They took a decent, comfortable sedan, and tried to stuff it full of annoying electronic features that do annoying things at inexplicable times. It was always beeping and shrieking for no apparent reason. Never did figure it out. The displays are confusing and too bright. The "keyless" key was equally annoying. You didnt have to put it into a switch, so you toss it somewhere, but you still have to dig it out to lock the car, which winds up being as much or more trouble. It did move along comfortably, as one would expect of an American big car [big by todays standards, anyway.] The trunk was nice and roomy. The seats seemed to be leather, so maybe it was an SEL, I dont know. The cabin temperature was always too hot or too cold, and someone thought it was a good idea for any change to the settings to take place over 5-10 seconds, to confuse people further. Would not own this car.

• 

  Fix Or Repair Daily (FORD!) - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Fix Or Repair Daily - February 28 - 4:00 pm

  First 10,000 were great. This car has been in the shop for the last 26,000. Im on the 3rd rear end, the tail gate rattles and they cant fix it. Had to warranty rotors at 15,000. The list goes on. This is an ureliable car not worthy of your hard earned cash. Incredible that after all these years of building this car that they still have these problems.

• 

  cash cow - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Derrick - February 28 - 3:50 pm

  head gasket on 3.8 litre engine has gone twice, once at 104,000 km then again at 124,000 km. Rear structs easily knocked out of alignment which wears out tires in 10,000 km. Electrical problems include burned out window motors, radio and wiper motor. Ford built a lemon. I wont buy another Ford after this experience.