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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  Never again will I buy a Ford - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By voltguy - January 28 - 12:56 pm

  Much to my frustration the Explorer has been an epic fail on both. Even with the EcoBoost it averages under 17 mpg, and as for snow it is one of the worst vehicles I have ever driven in snow. I get stuck in my driveway with as little as 1” of snow. I can’t make it up an incline without the wheels spinning even though all my neighbors can get up the street with no problems. Even with the traction control off the car makes grinding noises when the wheels spin. And to turn the traction control off you have to go 4 menus deep. I also have issues will it hesitating when pressing the gas and the GPS. Half the time is doesnt remember settings.

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  Terrible MPG, Bad Interior Design - 2013 Ford Escape
  By roadkingmi - January 18 - 9:53 am

  We have owned our Escape for 1 year and 13,000 miles, and it has been very disappointing. We bought the car because it was great looking with great "advertised" gas mileage... and have been disappointed ever since! The gas Mileage is not even close to advertised, more like 18-20 city, 24-26 hwy (on 2400 mile trip with cruise control) and 21=22 avg. The interior design is at first comfortable, until you realize that other than a coffee mug there is no place to put any thing except the very narrow and deep center console storage (once down there forget about finding it again) also all the electronic plug ins are in there under the arm rest very inconvenient

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  Help, I have fallen and cant get up....... - 2009 Ford Fusion
  By nissandave - January 14 - 7:22 am

  09 Ford Fusion SE 2.4, Auto Bought new 9/13/08 Owned for 95k miles: Water pump out (30k miles) Starter 2 batteries Drive belt Power steering pump/fluid Oil leak/valve cover AC compressor issues Transmission fluid burns up transmission after 85k miles (manual calls for fluid change @ 150k miles) Transmission solenoid CD deck not ejecting discs Trouble code renders car un-driveable after battery change (similar known issue with 2010 models which Ford refuses recall on) 2.3 lacks power 2.3 gets horrid MPG, much less than EPA estimates Very little rear view visibility No transmission mode indicator on dashboard Constant "hissing" noise (vacuum leak) nobody could find

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  Review after 9 months of ownership - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By missfc - January 9 - 5:59 pm

  My 1st Ford ever, Im a 40 yr old woman, driving all my life. What I hate about the Explorer: the harsh ride on bumps when youre going over 20mph. Its a soft ride at very low speeds. Also the insulation is insufficient and you hear every pothole very loudly inside the cabin almost like a wheel fell off or something. I also HATE the rattling, squeaking, noises it makes from the dashboard and console area at only 8,000 miles. I only drive on roads, cant imagine how it will fall apart if I actually went off roading. Also, on a cold day, the ignition refused to turn on when leaving from a grocery store one day. Called roadside assistance. Car hates cold, makes weird noises till it warms up.

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  pass on this car!!!!!!!!! going back to chevys. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By mingo5 - January 9 - 2:17 am

  at 11k had broken left strut.at 16k had ser.eng light gas tank sensor bad 6 days to order and repair.3 days later light on again took back kept car 11 days said was overfilling gas tank.when took in both times had 1/4 tank of gas!whata joke.now at 24,700 have broken left bearing and broken strut again 4days in shop AGAIN! but now on speed bumps clucking sound on driverside front not taking back to them will trade for a chevy cruz or malibu.not to mention tranny spuddering on takeoffs.they now tell me will not cover rental car anymore even becouse i have extended warranty!ive had it with with FORD.....

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  Last Ford Car - 2012 Ford Focus
  By texasmilitary - January 5 - 6:58 pm

  Im terrified to drive this thing. Much like the other reviews, the shuddering was an issue from the start, but I was told that it was part of the new design. Two years into it, I can tolerate it. However, now the car just decelerates for no reason and the check engine light comes on. Keep in mind that this happens anywhere and anytime, even on a major highway going 70 miles an hour. The first time it scared me so bad. I took it in and they claimed it was an engine light issue, kept it for two days, fixed it, and sent me on my way. Less than a week later the car has decelerated and come to a complete stop 3 times. I took it back to the dealership...I will update you on their response.

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  Not What I Expected - 2011 Ford Escape
  By bmeg2012 - December 28 - 7:56 pm

  I had always wanted an Escape and I finally bought one. I have to say that I am so disgusted with it. I had to pay out of pocket to have the throttle body replaced because Ford wont recall them and 3 weeks after the repairs the part is tearing up again. It is dangerous to drive it stalls out in the middle of the road and you try and give it gas and it wont move. I would discourage anyone from buying one. I was born, bread, raised 100% ford girl but I am so anti-Ford now. If you are considering buying one think twice...........

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  good suv bad seats - 2013 Ford Escape
  By billho94 - December 11 - 2:11 pm

  First thing i would like to say is Im a Nissan car salesman. I have no bias with domestic vehicles. The escape rides beautifully. I drove a rental from Atlanta, Ga to Green Bay, Wi through a major storm. No problems at all. The seats are the problem. Nissan has the zero gravity seats which are 100% more comfortable than the Ford seat. The engine and transmission work together just fine. Great visibility

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  Mixed emotions - 2012 Ford Focus
  By isellthem1 - November 15 - 6:20 pm

  I am very impressed with the overall tightness of the platform and build quality is good. It is one of the best looking hatchbacks out there and I love the handling characteristics of this car but I am so pissed off at Ford for making such a fantastic vehicle and equipping it with an absolute joke of an automatic transmission. I love the concept of feeling the direct drive this torque converter-less transmission provides but the shifting dynamics are sub par. This unit should have never been introduced to the public in its current state. Opt for the 5 speed!

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  Engine Noise - 2013 Ford Edge
  By fordedge2013 - October 30 - 11:53 pm

  I bought this fully loaded Ford Edge AWD in June 2013. After driving it for 2 months, the engine starts to make some noises when the SUV is idle at the traffic light, when I press on the brake. The noise sounds like "du du du du du...".......The noise is gone when I relase the brake. It is very wired. I brought it to the dealer and the dealer said the sound is common. Well, I didnt find it in my previous RAV4... Wondering whether other Edge owners have the similar issue with the engine while on brake at traffic light?