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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  Very Upset With Ford - 2011 Ford F-150
  By montana63 - October 22 - 10:17 pm

  I have an F150 I bought 16 months ago and I loved the truck until the miles til empty start gaining and losing about 50 miles and the fuel gage started moving back and forth, and the information software has been restored then replaced. But the final straw was when I was driving down the road and the truck shut down. As its under warranty, I took it back to Ford and the throttle body was replaced on a truck that is only 16 months old and have less than 20,000 miles on it. I have been a faithful Ford customer for more than 20 years but my faith has been shaken recently. Has anybody else had this problem?

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  Weird Engine Noise - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By frustrated69 - October 6 - 10:57 am

  So I over payed from a crook used car dealer.....I hear about a lot of issues.....i call the dealer and they tell me there are no recalls. So yesterday Im leaving a stop and I hear a pinging noise.....and I think nothing of it....now it does it when the car gets warm......and Im pretty sure it is not the engine as it doesnt do it in park.......transmission? Lets not forget that I called the dealer about the brake issues and they told me its not on the recall list and the dang brake and ABS lights go on and off like fireworks.

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  Ford Focus Review - 2007 Ford Focus
  By nikkicoco - August 31 - 9:35 pm

  my 2007 ford focus has had nothing but problems with it i looked up online and they have problems with the transmission and alternator going bad around 40-50 thousand miles it is only 4yrs old. so i called bill pierre ford in lake city and i told them how many problems i have had with the car and heard they would fix it for free since there were so many people this was happening to well they were nothing but rude and not willing to help even though they have replaced other peoples transmissions when theirs went out I am so beyond myself right now I am forking out over $3,000 to repair my car. NEVER again will I buy a ford and I will make sure to tell anyone I know to never buy one. worst car I have ever had

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  Charlatan Engineering - Avoid at Any Cost - 2012 Ford Escape
  By gormarx - July 11 - 12:23 am

  I had to take the car to fix the door so it doesnt fill with water when it rains, thats how poorly manufactured it is. Sync is a bug-infested, malfunctioning piece of crap by Microsoft, as always. The features and control placement is idiotic: opening the cabin does not turn on any lights in the car, ever the headlights are turned on in one spot but switching to high beam is located at another, squeezed among the wiper controls. The wipers have a dozen settings, all of them too fast or too slow but never right the AC/heating i loud an annoying, as is the engine. Ive driven Soviet cars with far more comfortable and user-friendly design. Never again an American piece of crap.

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  transmission problems--cracked REAR panel (2 cracks) - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By marie517 - June 6 - 6:57 am

  I have replaced TWO transmissions in the past 2 years--there are 2 cracks on the rear panel door--I have seen soo many other vehicles(Ford Explorers) with the same cracks!! WHAT IS FORD DOING ABOUT THIS..I CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OR ISSUES ON THIS.[violative content deleted]

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  Ford Ford Ford what can I say - 2007 Ford Freestar
  By chevylover229 - April 2 - 2:21 pm

  I hate ford now. thats all I have to say(bought with 4,253 miles)(broke down with 4,950 miles on it)

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  2006 traded for a 2004 Tahoe thats better - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By chevylover229 - April 2 - 2:19 pm

  we have 7 kids (4 at the time we bought it in(2006) it looked OK, were we ever wrong. The only good thing about it was it broke down under warranty(16,320 miles) it was used with 15,000 miles on it we barley owned it. every thing under the hood needed to be fixed, Everything. and ford wouldnt fix it. and it was under warranty.

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  Forget this ambassador of Ford junk - 1999 Ford Escort
  By elly2 - March 22 - 12:48 am

  When it was new it was problem free but after a few years and miles even with good maintenance and light driving the problems start showing up. I now expect major work on an annual basis. No doubt the CCRM failed on the A/c which is common to this model, rear springs snapped which is also common, engine pipe fell off, speedometer meter in the axle broke, and even the shift console light doesnt work, and now some kind of power sapping engine problem. Driving this car is zero fun and all hassle.

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  2000 ford explorer - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By 10phantom1 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought a 2000 Ford Explorer from a friend. All the doors dont work except the driver. We had to change oxygen sensors 3 times. The driver seat broke. The trunk broke. This car awful

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  Dont Do It - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Philip B - August 9 - 2:54 pm

  This is the worst Vehicle I have ever had the misfortune to drive. The Constant noise from the never ending high rev shifting (6speeds). The acceleration feels like youre pushing a tennis ball against the pedal. (nothing, nothing then bam, too much) Ford should be ashamed for producing such a pile of CRAP! Makes me sick to drive it!