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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  Buyers Remorse? - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By sam - July 25 - 2:56 am

  Comfortable, but transmission was replaced -- after a big hassle with dealer. Had to rent a car (my car is leased). They put me through the ringer. I feel Ford needs to treat their customers better. I should have bought a Nissan.

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  Transmission Issues - 2012 Ford Focus
  By mpainton - July 23 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased my Focus Titanium after careful research. I had major transmission issues within the 1st 3 days. It will take 6 to 8 weeks to get the necessary parts, which will be made outside of the US. The transmission hesitated so badly that I was stuck entering into traffic and almost caused an accident. Very scary . . . I was told by the Ford mechanic that he clutch, bearings and other parts were faulty and designed badly.

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  2016 mustang gt auto - 2016 Ford Mustang
  By nick d - July 7 - 1:20 am

  AC died at only 26k miles. you can smell the refrigerant leaking inside the car. dealer makes excuses and is trying to avoid fixing the problem.

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  trying to make lemonade out of a lemon - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By Sammye Baker - June 17 - 2:18 am

  Nissan in Yuba City, Ca; while they have been trying to help us a lot, the vehicle had 34,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop twice. All of the pullies had to be replaced. The tire pressure sensor and fuel sensor have not been reset. Apparently thats a special tool and the dealerships has been broken. So every time you start the car it sounds like a four alarm fire is happening. A week after we got it out of the shop, my husband was attempting to pass an RV and the tranny just shut off. He had to coast to the side of the road and the entire car was violently shaking and the wrench light went on. We had to struggle to get a rental car from the dealership while the car is going to be held for two weeks to be fixed. Its been there for about a week and we havent heard anything back from them. I got a chip in the windshield from a rock hauling truck 2 days after we got the vehicle (no ones fault, these thing happen). When the pullies were being replaced they had a windshield guy try to fix it and he ended up doing further damage. We picked up the car with a spider crack heading towards the hood. When the transmission had its problem and the car was rattling the whole chip spidered out vertically from top to bottom. I thought chip repair was suppose to prevent this. Im not an expert. After everything we as a family have a pretty sour taste about the vehicle. I really wish we didnt get it all in all. We had rented a couple ford fusions (with much higher mileage) in the past and love them. This one seems like the anti-christ of fusions. I feel like we flushed $15,000 down the toilet at some rutty truck stop. We did it to build credit in hopes for having a better opportunity at getting a home loan, no I just hope it will make due until we can pay it off somehow. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR A MONTH, ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR HALF OF THAT TIME!!!!!!!!

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  have you looked at ford - 2004 Ford F-150
  By pissed - June 12 - 10:00 am

  vibration at40-60mph complete engine change at 3000 miles changed driveshaft, changed harmonic balancer,changed tires & wheels. 11/mpg hiway, loss of power, a real dog. won lemon law case thru arbutration, but ford not cooperating

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  good... until... - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By Chatham Bing - June 9 - 2:00 am

  1997 Taurus Wagon was a decent form of transportation for a while. Little problems were encountered, until we hit 75,000 miles. Then like clockwork... boom- the head gasket blows, and a $2500 engine rebuild cost. On a 5 year old car which had a value of only $3750 trade in...

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  Got what I wanted but??? - 2016 Ford Fiesta
  By BLURAY KING - June 3 - 6:31 pm

  I was glad a first (2,000 miles) but now I do not know. Car buzzes behind drivers seat, clutch clicks every time I engage it, drivers outside mirror (inside) is smaller than passengers mirror and passengers seat (Recaro) rubs against center console (like it is not centered where it seats) squeaks. I have called 5 Ford dealerships to come in and get it repaired under warranty but most want to keep car for 2 days to fix (without loaner car). What kind service can we expect when they refuse to give me a loaner when I have NO other car?? All this is fit and finish problems. I will update once somebody fixes my car under warranty.

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  lemon - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Jimmy Dean - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Center console broke only after about a month, having problems with vehicle stalling, and having electrical problems!! I think I am done with ford, I have owned fords all my life and I think it is time to change. Do not buy this exloder.

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  More Problems...... - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Big Rob - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This focus is bad. Love the styling and cornerig capabilities. But DO NOT BUY THIS CAR WITH OUT A WARRANTY!!!! My heater core has broke twice, and I also had a new transmission put at 36,000. I am at 42,000 now and its starting to go out again. Geez I hope Ford gets these mistakes fixed. Thank goodness I bought the extended warranty

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  So Sorry, Dont touch one. - 2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By carpro6 - May 2 - 4:31 pm

  Aside from poor gas mileage 34.1mpg overall, the car is dangerous. Ford engineering has built a car with published specs for turning diameter and missed their spec by 4 feet. Making a U turn in the wrong place will either destroy your front suspension or worse cause you to back up into oncoming traffic. Trying to park in normal parking lot type spaces will end up with you backing up and realigning to get in w/o hitting the car adjacent. It also puts pedestrian traffic and cross traffic in danger needlessly. The car is an engineering nightmare. Poor mileage, noise and no hybrid help are top failures. CMax is dangerous. This is my warning to anyone who is considering a purchase.