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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  Not too reliable - 1991 Ford Taurus
  By BiG aNt - February 28 - 1:39 am

  I have a 91 taurus l. It has to be one of the worst cars ford has ever built. Since i got it, i have had nothing but problems with it. The transmission slips, the front end was done twice, and the paint is peeling away. Also, ive noticed on almost every taurus like mine, the fabric on the ceiling is ripping in the back. I will try not to ever buy a ford again.

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  A pigs breakfast of a car - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Clive T. - February 27 - 12:41 am

  My cars transmission croaked at 68k, A/C gave up the ghost at 70K, and the engine was scrap at 105k due to the chronic head gasket failure problem on Fords 3.8 engines of this era. Along the way, numerous other problems-a bad motor mount,power window failures, & fragile plastic interior bits added richness to my Ford ownership experience. Only good thing I can say is that the heap was so bland & inconspicuous that I never got a speeding ticket. It ws like being invisible out there.

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  Dont buy a Ford Taurus - 1990 Ford Taurus
  By jeb - February 26 - 9:15 am

  This car has been a very very high maintance car, 3 starters, 2 transmissions , front main seal leaks oil, power steering hoses leak, runs poorly on low grade gas, Since I owned one I have spoken to many people that have ownd one. We all have the same problems. you would think after the frist few years Ford would have worked the bugs out. Not on this car, the 3.8 l engine is known for blowing head gaskets. This is the car that saved Ford? .

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  BIG TROUBLE - 1990 Ford Escort
  By ann - February 22 - 4:14 pm

  If you have a choice, dont get Ford vehicle older then 4-5 years - its all just ONE BIG HEADACKE. Only positive aspect of this car - its fuel economy performance - really good. Repairs, maintenance - youll spend a fortune. Reliability - NONE!

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  Quality is NOT #1 - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By egarces - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I have owned mine for almost 3yrs and have had many probs. w/it. They tried fixing the a/c five times before they replaced the entire system. Now I have a rattling noise under the hood and its taken 3 trips to the dealership and it is still not fixed. The seats are horrible in the rear AND front, no comfort what so ever! Storage space is great and good sized SUV. The back window opens up if you dont want to lift the entire rear door, but I have a crack in the plastic that covers the rear window. Some times the rear window requires more force to shut it and it will take 2 or 3 times to close it before it finally closes.

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  mykey feature is a huge pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Tammy - February 4 - 9:49 am

  bought my car used and only have one key. I was trying to reset some settings after an oil and tire change and accidently set my one and only key to the mykey feature. You have to have another key to act as an admin key when this happens to get the setting changed back. So now...I have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to replace and program another key just to remove this very stupid feature. It limits your speed, it limits the volume on your radio among other very, very annoying features. What would have been wrong with having to set a password like every other computer program on the planet....no, leave it to ford to have to make something so dumb an expensive fix.....HIGHLY DISAPOINTED WITH THE GENIUSES THAT CAME UP WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Rattle, Rattle, Junk Heap Rattle Trap - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By BobAtlGa - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I thought this was the perfect car for our family with two kids. The car as a DVD player and captains chairs. After a few hundred miles an obnoxious intermittent rattle appeared in all windows. Ford did a service bulletin and replaced the molding on all windows. The rattle persists in the drivers window. Dealership will not repair and Ford Corporate says no. BUYER BEWARE!!! The interior workmanship is the worst in the industry. DO NOT buy this car. A $42,000 car should not have this problem!

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  2012 Flex with 55k miles - 2012 Ford Flex
  By Browder.ba@gmail.com - January 31 - 10:14 pm

  We have had the car for one year, the only reason we bought it was because my wife and I had twins. Well 55k miles into the car and only 4 years old and the rack and pinion has to be replaced. Its not covered under the powertrain warrant so my wife and I are out $1k. Thanks Ford POS. Ill never buy one again. The car wasnt cheap to start as its a limited. Ive NEVER owned a car that has needed a major repair like this that had less than100k miles.

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  All show and no go - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By Sam - January 8 - 1:11 am

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  used to like Ford - 2001 Ford Focus
  By hateafocus - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought factory certified at 13500. 1 wk later safety recall on engine cable. At 30000 the front brakes and rotors wore thru. My previous car went 150000 on rotors and brakes. I know how to drive and take care of a car. Had them replaced with heavy duty rotors. Even new brakes squeal like a pig. Part of the appeal, huh? During ice and snow the steering wheel will whip out of your hands when turning a curve. The next safety recall, the fuel pump. Causes surges, lags and hey, no power while going 50 mph. They fixed for free. The CD player has now died. After a fuel injection cleaning and tune up I do get 42 on highway, 28 in city, less with A/C.