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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  Do NOT buy a Ford Focus! - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Chill - July 31 - 5:40 pm

  Despite regular maintenance and only 52,000 highway miles, the engine completely blew up. $4K to repair! Lots of rattles and very loud going highway speeds. Rear power window mechanism broke for no apparent reason. Radio would turn itself off on a daily basis. Fuel efficiency was about 30 mpg and it handled okay, but who cares when the engine goes at 52K miles?! Whatever you do, stay away from this car. Just because its popular doesnt mean its a good choice! Ford does NOT stand behind this car. Better get the extended warranty because youll certainly need it. There are better ways to spend your money -- the Focus isnt the answer.

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  The Little Stuff - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By scottygondo - July 31 - 10:00 am

  2nd Explorer to have the rear wiper die, moldings loosen, CD player and disc changer blink at 50k. Ford says, "it is no longer under warranty". Shouldnt a stock stereo not start to loose its lighted display at 30k? Dealer couldnt fix it without "sending it out" for a month and charging me. Shouldnt it be fixed, warranty or no warranty? No, go spend $300 at local Ford authorized service center to fix the player if you want it fast. I was told there it is a "common" problem. If so, recall the darn things! The rear wiper is just a joke. Nothing else needs to be said.

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  best $2500.00 spent! - 1991 Ford Bronco
  By pito - July 31 - 2:00 am

  i love this truck, and thats hard for me to say. toyota man myself for years. purchase at auction,about a year ago.

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  Maybe we just didnt get lucky - 1995 Ford Explorer
  By Sean Pitt - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I like the car as far as the interior goes, but we have had many mechanical problems. The main thing we replaced was the transmission. Even now, there is a delay when we change gears from park and nearly every time the car shifts, a thud comes from underneath the car. There is short in the switch for washer fluid. The automatic A/C doesnt work very well (your either cold or warm, not much of a middle). When idiling, the car will sometimes shake and shut off. Lots of squeaks and rattles. The ride is also very bumpy. Carfax says there is nothing fishy with its history, and we had it checked by a Ford dealership mechanic before we bought it. What happened?

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  Front end problems - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By truered - July 31 - 2:00 am

  The van overall is nice and very roomy... But, there is a problem with the front ends with these vheicles... It is almost like they just trew them together....

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  good on paper/ decent in reality - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By avesrulsik222 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  within the first month the front right headlight went out for no reason. other then that the truck runs great.

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  Dont Count on It - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By kjb in tn - July 30 - 2:00 am

  OK for about six months but then it all fell apart. Car left me stranded on the highway with no warning. Not once but three times. Each time dealer had car for up to two weeks and computer showed no problems. Finally replaced the fuel pump. This year replaced rear brake system (chalk it up to former life as a rental). In past month car died without warning again. Diagnostics again did not explain stall but did need some faulty sensors replaced. The mystery continues. Dont fault the dealer just a bad product. Quality issues and too many cars in market explain poor resale. Grew up in Ford family and I purchased 4 so far but this will be the last.

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  Its a Ford... - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By AlonSeal - July 27 - 2:00 am

  If you buy a Ford, get a extended warranty. For $800+, it covered these out of warranty repairs... 1. Transmission 2. A/C Compressor and Evaporator 3. Strut bushing 4. Radio 5. Air Blend door motor combine valued over $5000. No, I wont buy a Ford again. In warranty repairs included 2 sensors, and intake manifold gasket.

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  3.8L FWD - Ford Stinks - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By ca2stay - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Had a 91 Taurus (3.8L FWD) tranny @ 25k & 54k miles. Traded in for 96 Windstar LX 3.8L FWD. Tranny started giving trouble slipping @ 50k and finally replaced @ 90k $3k, head gaskets @ 85k $2k and engine still runs poorly, radio/CD @ 50k. Fortunately w/tow package & 4W Disc Brakes so none of the brake pblms my frinds w/drum brakes had. Now CV joints and the rest of the steering and suspension. My wifes next vehicle will be Japanese.

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  very comfortable car when it runs - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By steven h - July 16 - 2:00 am

  we got this car in 2000 and have had a hand full of problems ever since. we have replaced the motor mounts, rear struts, fule pump, air conditioning unit rebuilt the transmission, replaced the statrer three times and the car over heats. This car has good power and has great room on the inside. To fords credit the paint is still in great condition (this seems to be the exception to the rule however. For the amount of money we put into the car we might as well have a new car payment.