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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  dont buy one - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By two4x4s - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Transmisson is awful, makes loud noise when you put it in gear and will roll a foot after you put it in gear and ford says it is fine. would be a great van but not worth the risk

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  Relibility Problems with Ford. - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Michael Cazeres - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for a little over 2 years, with 22,000 miles on it. My local dealership recently had to replace the transmission, a very expensive propositon if it wasnt under warranty. Other problems: air conditioner rattles, problems with the fuel gauge, accelerator pedal, noises from loose fitting parts. Ford also said they would not cover a rental car while they fixed this problem, even though it is under warranty. Not a good idea to bring repeat business! Anything amazing to say? Yes, I got a good deal on it, but other than that, I would buy a Japanese vechile next time.

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  Another unhappy owner - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Jimohio - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this because of the safety issues, great dealership and good price. However, this has turned out to be one of the worst cars I have owned. It was in the shop so much that I started to wait on the minor things so that I could get several things fixed with one trip. It started with the power window controls, twice on the drivers side and once on the passenger side being replaced. Then came rotors, (3 sets), air conditioning controls, new transmission, new intake manifold, new tie rod ends, leak in the rear floor seat mounts, tailgate pistons, power steering pump. The interior lights and seat belt chime come on at will, muffler hanger and others.

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  Be afraid, be very afraid - 1998 Ford Contour
  By oubobcat - October 31 - 1:00 am

  Bought it used in 99 and was reasonably pleased for a couple years, except for the endless list of recalls. Its always eaten tires because it wont stay aligned (no, it was never in a wreck). To date Ive spent $200+ to replace the o2 sensor, $350+ to replace a melted fuze box(heater fuze didnt blow like it was supposed to), dipstick replacement(yep, the dipstick broke), 2 alternators in < 18 months, and the transmission went out this week. Perhaps the buyer of this pile of scrap metal Im about to sell will do OK, since Ive already replaced most moving parts, but I wouldnt bet on it.

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  ver y reliable - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By turlet - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in Deceber 01. I was a single 28 yr old guy at the time and wanted something that I thought would be cool. I bought the Louisville made Explorer. I loved it. Still do for the most part. However my new wife has inherited it. Which is fine, she drives only 5 minutes to work and with the 17mpg it gets. I cant afford to pay 2 dollar gas. We still drive it when we go places. It has been very reliable for me. I know a lot of people have had some problems. If you dont drive it like a bat out of hell and change the oil it will be fine. Besides normal maintenance not had the 1st problem

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  fuel gauge problem - 2004 Ford Focus
  By naturebuddy - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a focus ZTS in 5/04 it has been serviced 4 times once for a recall on the heated seats & 3 times with a fuel gauge problem their seems to be a softwear problem our 1st problem occured after filling the tank the gauge stayed on empty the dealer said ford told them to clear the computer memory & put in a new code the 2nd time we again filled the tank this time it read 1/2 tank the dealer replaced the sending unit the 3rd time the gauge stayed on full after 150 miles then after 200 miles the gauge read between full & 3/4 when it should have read at half tank because when we filled up it took 8 gal with a 14 gal tank now they say the float wasnt set properly on the sending unit

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  Terrible Gas mileage - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By ChasBmn - October 23 - 2:00 am

  If I knew the gas mileage was going to be so bad I would have bought a Full Size Truck.This truck is going to make be go broke buying gas!!!!!!!!!

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  WARNING! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By TNTStang - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Not pleased, 50000kms and have had 2 blown trannys, 1 front end suspension, 1 computer module, rusted step bars, 2 passenger balljoints, And I pamper the thing, no off roading, and I drive like a granny. Never another Explorer. Also a clunk from the rear that the dealer cant fix, apparently it is normal, it is not, I have driven others with no clunk.

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  nothing to write home about - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By rokko - October 22 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is ok, had problems with the tape cassette early on and the engine light went on too. The brakes seem to be too low. The buttons for the A/C, rear defroster etc, are too small and the green lights you cannot see when the sun shining in the vehicle. The front doors do not shut all the time.

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  Meets my needs - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By tnich - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Overall this has been a good car giving me the room and features I needed at a good price, however I hate the suspension which cant handle any hill or bump at an angle. Other issues have been rear wiper and radio LED which both work only occasionally.