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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  2002 Explorer - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Carl McClary - April 1 - 12:56 pm

  Unacceptable reliability from the start, beginning with malfunction of a/c vent linkage from floor to face, steering linkage rattle (replaced), leakage from map light, brake light switch, dealer spark plug malfunction, and poor transmission handle functioning. Have taken this vehicle in for repair far too often.

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  Another disappointed customer - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Upset Focus Owner - March 31 - 1:03 am

  I ignored all of these comments because I absolutely loved the interior of this car. (I am a teenage girl). At first it was nice but Ive had to take it to a specialist to figure out the vibration in the Motor and I am supposed to take it back to Michigan from California and dont feel its safe. Good luck if youre looking for one I would stop no and listen to these reviews its real!!

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  What a lemon! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By ANT - March 25 - 9:00 am

  This is by far the worst car Ive ever owned. I bought the car used in February with 114k on it and little by little this car is starting to fall apart because a month after I bought it my A/C compressor went then after that my Pistons on my engine bent it left me stranded on the side of the road while I was on my way to work. And now I have a leak in my power steering fluid tank which was causing my car to smoke up so bad that people on the road next to me kept on starring thinking that my car was gonna just explode so they just kept on moving away. So basically I been at mechanics more then Ive been on the road. This car was a very bad choice its like problem after problem. In the beginning I thought it was a nice looking car with low mileage I was wrong and now Im just ready to junk it Lol. Too many problems for 123K

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  Run the other way! - 2016 Ford Mustang
  By artista - February 17 - 3:44 am

  Dont buy this car. Has been in the shop more times than I care to count.

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  The self-parking feature works. - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Will Elyea - February 7 - 1:29 pm

  First the good news: That auto parallel parking feature actually works reliably. That is where the good news ends. I purchased this car in 2012 and it is already on its third set of clutches and those are already starting to slip. The strange "automated manual" transmission has simply been a lemon from the get-go. Luckily the warranty of the transmission was extended so I am not paying for these repairs, but the downtime is a bother. The transmission is the reason the car has no pep from a dead stop. When I turn right from a driveway or parking lot onto a road, I know I need to have at least a block of clear space because the car is going to hesitate very badly turning from a dead stop. If there is a semi coming I would be creamed before I could coax the car to a normal driving speed. Also, at freeway speeds, if I hit the brakes for any reason (say, someone changes lanes too close in front of me) the car reacts like we are stopping and begins to downshift. If I hit the gas again, the transmission dithers and I have to step the pedal to the floor to motivate the car. If fact, in general, a hard stomp to the floor is the only way to speak to this car when it doesnt want to go from first to second gear. This will be the first car, in my lifetime, that I have ever decided to sell before owning it outright.

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  corrosion on hood - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By gersomlevi@att.net - February 1 - 8:14 pm

  on my 2013 mustang there is bubbling on the front of the hood. Ford will not cover repair as my car is out of warranty, even though the corrosion took place while the car was under warranty. (it expired a month ago). After reading on internet, several owners have had the same problem with the corrosion/paint bubbling happening around 36k miles or just after warranty expired. This is a Ford Problem, not a maintenance issue or where the car is driven. Do a search and you will see. Do not purchase a Mustang with aluminum hood or you will end up paying about 2k to fix it yourself. Ford takes no ownership of this problem.

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  corrosion on hood - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By gersomlevi - February 1 - 6:50 pm

  on my 2013 mustang there is bubbling on the front of the hood. Ford will not cover repair as my car is out of warranty, even though the corrosion took place while the car was under warranty. (it expired a month ago). After reading on internet, several owners have had the same problem with the corrosion/paint bubbling happening around 36k miles or just after warranty expired. This is a Ford Problem, not a maintenance issue or where the car is driven. Do a search and you will see. Do not purchase a Mustang with aluminum hood or you will end up paying about 2k to fix it yourself. Ford takes no ownership of this problem.

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  TRANSMISSION IS WACK - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By condrabo - January 28 - 11:07 am

  Ford has had major problems with the transmissions in the 2005-2006 Ford 500s. The transmissions go out with as little as 30,000 miles on the vehicle. My car is no exception to the transmission issues. The car will "buck and jump" when passing or when slowing below 40 mph. I contacted Ford and their response was since the NHTSA hasnt forced a recall, there is nothing they can do to assist with the problem. Instead of being proactive, I suppose Ford will just wait until enough people have had their fill of problems and file class action lawsuits.

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  Dont Do it! - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Bobby44 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  In the shop all the time.

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  DO NOT BUY THE 2012 FORD FOCUS - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Lisa Cooke - January 19 - 4:50 am

  I bought a used 2012 Ford Focus SEL. While its a sharp looking car, the amount of time it has spent in the shop is ridiculous. The dual clutch is a joke. It went into the shop for shuddering, they replaced the TCM or reprogrammed it (not sure which one).. It lasted a few months but then had to go back into the shop for the same thing. they replaced the clutch. That was 4 mons ago and it is now back in the shop to replace the clutch AGAIN. if I didnt have a warranty, I would be trading it in just to get rid of the headache