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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  Buyer Beware - 2013 Ford Escape
  By srghmn - December 27 - 1:46 pm

  Trouble almost from day one. Car pulls to the side during acceleration, it shifts very hard like it is having transmission problems. Had it recalled 3 different times leaving me with a rental car for weeks. The radio does not always turn off when I open the door to exit the vehicle, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesnt. The rear lift gate doesnt always lock, it allows you to open it but then the alarm goes off. You never know if the blue tooth system will connect to my phone thru the speakers or thru privacy mode. Turning radius is horrible, and visibility is the worst in any vehicle I have ever had. Trading it ASAP.

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  1 Year Update - 2006 Ford Escape
  By cappecan - December 20 - 12:36 am

  Well I have had my Escape for nearly a year now, and all I can say is I have made a terrible mistake purchasing this Ford. This car has broken down 6, yes 6 times in 12 months, and has cost me $1,800 in repairs. I have put only 13,000 miles on it since I have owned it, and have had problem after problem with it. I bought this Escape because 1: It was a certified pre-owned Ford, and two it was used as a rental at a FORD dealership. So I knew that it was seriviced on time every time in the first few years of its lifetime. Well I will NEVER EVER buy another Ford for as long as I live. Stay away from these cars.

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  Trash. - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By cfscreamer - December 19 - 7:08 pm

  Im 50, have owned many a vehicle in my time on earth, and this "car" has turned out to be the worst Ive ever owned. There are very few items on this car that have NOT failed at least once, and I cant describe everything that has failed in 700 characters. It has gotten so bad, that I will not even give it to charity, nor anybody else. I am planning to simply drive it into a lake and video it. Nobody should ever be subjected to all of its flaws. Do NOT buy this model. Ill never, ever touch another Ford again as long as I live.

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  2014 Limited 2.0 Ecoboost Turbo 4cyl - Do not buy a Taurus! - 2014 Ford Taurus
  By mkz2 - December 8 - 10:11 pm

  2.0 Ecoboost I4. Rated at 32 mpg. Car averages 23-25 mpg highway on premium after 8240 miles. I commute 110 mi/day. Driver assist package is the worst. 15 menu clicks to turn on std cruise control instead of adaptive - defaults to adaptive when the car is shut off. Sony stereo sounds tinny, no bass. Many Sync issues. Cant use it on accessory power. It shuts off automatically and sends a message to start the engine if you want to use the system. Phone doesnt connect consistently after paired. This after new update. Only 2/3 of the heated steering wheel is heated, not the top 1/3. Cant use any climate button on console wearing gloves! Exhaust smell in stop/go traffic sucked in by the heater.

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  2014 Focus is not what it use to be - 2014 Ford Focus
  By twv - December 2 - 12:06 pm

  I had a 2005 focus that I loved, fun to drive, very dependable, and an all around great car. However the 2014 I purchased 3 months ago, is NONE of these. I have had it back to the shop 2 times, when stopped in traffic, it acts as if it is flooding out, then when you press the accelerator the engines revs to 4000 rpm and the transmission kicks in and you jump forward. Very unsafe. It also seems to stall out when you try to go up a hill. They keep telling me it is their new double clutch design and after driving it 5000 miles it will adjust to my driving. WHAT, is there to adjust to, I push on the accelerator I want to go, pretty simple. Ford needs to buy back all of these. They are unsafe!!!

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  long term test review - 2012 Ford Focus
  By imperial_tie - November 30 - 9:48 pm

  From day one (1JAN2012) this car has been an issue. I have spent more time having the transmission checked than I should. Mine is a Lemon. Ive had issues from random loss of power to not starting. There is nothing like being stranded in a parking garage after black Friday shopping. I just bought new tires and am not happy. This may look like a fun hatchback but believe me its a MoneyPit. This is the last time I buy ford. 43,000 miles, all maintenance current, problem "unable to be duplicated", 10 times it has failed to start. Ford should really google this problem before stating "it has never been reported issue"

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  DO NOT PURCHASE - 2012 Ford Focus
  By lswheat - October 30 - 5:11 pm

  My 2012 Ford Focus sputtered on acceleration at times after purchase. The dealership said "it adjusts to the driver" and it "mimics a manual shift". It began to stall, the parking assist never worked and was replaced twice, the parking sensors would go off for no reason and the sputtering continued to worsen. I was later told there is a known problem with these vehicles. This was not disclosed when I purchased the car and it was intended for my 16 year old new driver. After exactly 12 months, the transmission went bad. Now I am in a new car with an outrageous payment because I was upside down. My choice was taken, if I had known there was an issue with this car, I would not have bought it.

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  Worst. Vehicle. Ever. - 2010 Ford Escape
  By jaadamoo - October 25 - 7:54 am

  I purchased my 2010 Escape Limited in November 2009. The bells & whistles attracted me to it. But man, this vehicle has been a nightmare since day 1. The transmission is total crap. Its been in the shop 9 times in 4 years for transmission issues. Now the trans is on the verge of complete failure. Throttle body died at 59k miles, A/C blower is going out, heated seats gave out. Its slowly falling apart. The dealership is always giving me the run-around and repairs are starting to become costly. This is my 6th Ford and sadly it will be my last. Ive lost all faith in their products.

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  wished I had something else - 2013 Ford Escape
  By bbgun1 - October 23 - 7:36 am

  32,000 miles now. Fuel economy is no better than 23 on the hwy. car has improper gearing to ever see better. Many bad engineering and design flaws with this car. Still rides like a truck on bad roads. Engine noise galore..tired of it. Seems like gas pedal is not connected to engine at times. Sync is still playing the radio after I WALK AWAY WITH IT LOCKED. Cant turn on the front wiper with out the back one coming on, cant see the key slot to start the car. Last AWD car for me. I believe the suspension has 3-4" inches of travel. Bad roads bad ride.

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  Avoid this unreliable car - 2012 Ford Focus
  By wrenthamma - October 19 - 2:14 pm

  In addition to transmission-related grinding, shuddering and halting described by every other reviewer, I have experienced the following problems: At 5,500 miles, the "body control module" failed, resulting in loss of instruments, headlamps, tail lights, turn signals, etc. while driving. The car was, of course, not road worthy, and required 3 days of repairs. At 9,000 miles, the "audio control module" failed, requiring two days of repairs. The vehicles electrical system is still not quite right. Recently (26,000 mi) a bearing required replacing (2 days of repairs). Finally, the clutch needs replacing (2-3 days estimated repairs). Bottom line: This car is not reliable and should be avoided.