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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  Still a FORD! - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By DjR - May 6 - 3:30 am

  After searching out what I thought would be a great car. I found a car that is not so great! I am 64 and the interior for me is horrible. The seats are angled weird. My knee hit the turn signal all the time. Why is it so low? Poor design inside. I enjoy the look of the exterior which is what caught my eye to begin with. But it is not the car I was thinking it would be. A let down. Fast and good looking yes. but a lot of money for just a plastic FORD! Very cheaply made and little to no quality put into it. I had a 300z before this and I am going back to the Z. Day and Night. Rent one first before buying a Mustang. I should have.

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  American Car - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By A.C. - May 5 - 2:34 am

  Bought my Taurus in May 2000. Now it has 87,000 miles on it. The problems: Brake sensor failed (recall) power steering pump made wining noise - replaced under warranty right front window scratched pretty bad - replaced under warranty drivers door is not tight, hense wind noise funny noise in suspension - repaired under warranty, dealer never said what was wrong power steering fluid leaked from under the filling cap fuel gauge gives wrong reading the warning light for the ABS doesnt work right rear power window motor blew twice - replaced under warranty the steering wheel air bags cover is painted(!), had cracks in it after only 5 months, the paint rubs off easily. Fuel economy - none.

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  Long List of Problems - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Bad luck ford - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought 2001 XLT loaded escape Dec. 2000. After 4000 km. Serpentine belt idler pulley fell off. 8000km smelt burnt oil inside cab. Dealer replaced complete engine! Neighbour bought same vehicle same problem. Replaced jammed seat carriage. Hgh spd vibration in front end. Rebushed something and balance tires(Pour PDI) Plastic kick plate mouldings were replaced (needs mud flaps from factory) CD player jammed, deck replaced. Very poor quality job done by Ford. Dealer did rebate some cash and provide adaquate service each and every time this vehicle was in the shop (way too much shop time) Needs new engine coolant level sensor...on and on. Gas milage poor.

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  Good car if it wasnt for... - 2011 Ford Edge
  By jeff - May 1 - 8:59 am

  My particular Edge gave me problems in acceleration (an annoying delay), and if I slowed down and then accelerated it would slam into gear.

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  Mixed bag - 2000 Ford Focus
  By dbf - April 29 - 5:10 pm

  Ive had my Focus since I bought it new in 2000. Unless you really cant afford otherwise, I dont think that I would recommend it. Maybe I got a lemon, but every problem Ive seen on this site, Ive had, and its only got 36,000 on it (after 5 years!). Lots of recalls, but major mechanical problems (heating core, trans, various bizarre coils and tubes and valves). You really dont save that much on the sticker after all of the repairs. Also, it was fast & fun to drive for the first two years, then consistently idled high, was sluggish and generally seems to be dying, despite going in for repairs once a month these days. Ford service (especially dealers) is abysmal. Sad part is that Im attached to it.

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  I hate my car - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By ihatemytaurus - April 28 - 12:29 am

  I am 17 and this car was a hand-me-down from my grandparents. Its extremely slow, looks like a bubble, and doesnt get good gas mileage. It also takes about 1 full second to shift from 1-2. It might also be nice if they made some performance parts for it besides an air filter, but they dont.

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  Good Car aside from Defective Moldings - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Nick - April 23 - 1:19 am

  I just purchased my 2016 Escape SE (2 L turbo) a few weeks ago and have already had it serviced twice. Apparently the car was equipped with defective plastic door and mirror moldings that warp/melt when exposed to the sun. When I say sun I am talking about 75 degree san diego sun in February. Although theyve never seen this before the dealer happily replaced the passenger side door moldings and side view mirror moldings. The drivers side moldings soon warped about a week later. After replacing those I figured I was all set because I had replacement moldings straight from the factory. Unfortunately the replacement moldings warped when left out in the direct sun for a couple hours. The dealer is in the process of creating a ticket directly with Ford to figure out if there was a bad batch of moldings or if this is an inherent defect in all 2016 Escapes. Im shocked to not see other Escape owners with the same problem. I imagine as we get closer to summer there will be a number of customers with the same molding issue. Theres no point of replacing the moldings again as this would result in yet another trip to the dealer a week later. So for now, Im stuck with a new car that looks like it just came out of a microwave. Hopefully Ford presents a solution.

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  Average at best - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By lary jameson - April 22 - 5:50 pm

  Average American car. Needs repair every 5-6 months. Starter, wiper motor, computer chip, brake vibration etc. Last 3 cars (Toyota & Subarus) went to 150K miles without this type of repair. Dealers cant seem to fix problems the first time but have got it right without extra charge. Cheaper than comparable Japanese make with same features but you make it up with repairs.

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  Pathetic! - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By tsblack - April 22 - 3:09 pm

  I bought this car an 06 SEL in 08. Had great miles on it and the car presented very well. Overall a great looking comfortable car. However its all the cosmetic things that are ticking me off and now as of today I am getting a skipping occurence where the car is trying to hiccup?? going down the road. The engine light has now come on and were going to be off to visit a mechanic soon. Im not happy. Moreover, the drivers door keeps setting off an alarm that its open when of course its not going down a highway! and the car just frankly rides like crap. Very noisy ride. Wont do this again. Another let down from Ford.

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  Watch Out For The SOHC V-6 - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Cibs - April 21 - 8:23 pm

  Bought my Explorer used with 70k miles on it and thought what a great deal I got until I found out that FORD has had problems with the SOHC V-6. It seems so much that FORD upped the warranty to 6 years and 72k miles and unfortunately I am just over the miles and years for the warranty. The problems are with the intake gasket and the cam chain tensioners so look out if your Explorer is a 1997 to 1999 with the 4.0L SOHC V-6. Love this truck for everything else.