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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  Disappointed - 2011 Ford Edge
  By review8 - September 3 - 1:32 pm

  Had this car less than 2 years under 30,000 miles. Already returned to the dealership 6 times. Had service for replacement of the main computer chip, replace defective power window switch, faulty fuel injectors, and a couple of sync issues. This was not a cheap vehicle, sticker over $40 grand. Cant take it anywhere afraid wont get home. As soon as I get back from shop trading it in on something other than a Ford!

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  Our 2012 Focus Titanium Hatchback Lemon - 2012 Ford Focus
  By rwig44 - September 3 - 12:30 pm

  My wife and I ordered this car loaded....even had mud flaps installed. The car drove well...but at the 10,000 mile service, Duval Ford, found the brake master cylinder was bad, even though my wife had had the car in the shop previously for brakes not working properly and all they did, was add brake fluid to the master cylinder THe Sync system always had problems, automatic windows would become unresponsive, radio would change stations after receiving a phone call. At 20,000 miles the main seals on the engine are leaking, when they tear into it, found both shaft seals on transmission leaking and damaged clutch pack. We No Longer own a Ford.

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  1998 explorer 2 door - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By joe440 - August 31 - 11:31 pm

  had this suv about 3 years,and always run good,but started having some things going bad,the first thing,is a skip in the eng,and we had a comp,tuneup.and we stil have the skip,and they have tested it and theres no codes showing,and also were having trouble starting this car,sometimes it will start,and the next time sounds like theres no fire,but u let it sit for awhile and it starts.if anyone has had the same trouble,and u got it fixed,please post and let us no what u found, we have already spended to much to go on.over all we like this suv and would like to get it fixed.

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  Total LEMON! Buyer Beware! - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By soldiermorale - August 31 - 8:44 pm

  I purchased my 2013 Fusion just 10 months ago and have had nothing but problems with it. Within the 1st week of owning it, I had to take it in for computer updates because all the electronics kept shutting down. 2 months into ownership there was a recall on it and it was in the shop for 3 weeks! Last month it was in the shop because it was literally leaking gas and there were 2 more recalls on it. It was there for 2 weeks this time. Now 3 days ago, it had to be towed BACK to the dealership because everything went batty as in every alert imaginable came on. Brakes, engine, oil, engine temp, coolant. Everything went wrong and it completely shut down. I told the dealership to keep it, Im DONE

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  Dont get the echo boost - 2012 Ford F-150
  By donewithf150 - August 25 - 6:03 pm

  I have owned every model half ton truck there is from ford to Toyota. I was excited to read the reviews and read all the info I could about the latest and greatest f150 with the Eco boost engine. Ordered one just the way I wanted it. Dont believe the hype. The engine is a dog. Yes it will pass everything out there, except a gas station. I know several owners of this hyped engine and no one gets anything close to the promised gas mileage. We all get about 14 to 15 combined average with 16 to 18 on the road. Love my 2013 new dodge 2500 and get 18.9 with it.

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  Fords Poor Customer service & Warantee - 2013 Ford Escape
  By jfrender - August 19 - 8:09 am

  I purchased a 2013 Ford Escape 10 months ago and have replaced the engine air filter on my echo boost engine with a k&n air filter. The plastic housing is cracking by the metal screws and 1 screw housing was stripped when purchased. I did not over tighten screws but the service mgr at Gaudin says I did because that wa his unintelligent response. Ford Motor Co. Regional Customer Service Mgr. Nikki out of Phoenix is going by what Gaudin Said. Ford will not honor Warrantee and the filter housing is thin plastic which is deteriating from heat and vibrations. A future problem could exist on all 2013 and 2014 Escapes and cause accelerated engine failure. After purchasing Fords since 1955 the serv

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  Dissapointed 1.6L turbo SE with prem pkg /nav - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By dizzaxter - August 15 - 5:40 pm

  I leased this car in Nov 2012 and driven 8k miles so far. The car has great styling and a comfortable ride, but the gas mileage and jerky transmission has been very dissapointing. I live in los angeles and drive a mix of both highway and local roads. My average mpg is 21.8 and that requires driving like a grandmother. My old acura 3.2tl got similar gas mileage but was much faster and enjoyable to drive. BTW, my ford touch stinks. its extremely slow, and can be distracting to operate while driving, it does not support any apps (ie yelp/pandora). On multiple occassions it has froze and required the car to be restarted to resume working.

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  Love the car BUT........ - 2013 Ford Escape
  By snow2doxie3 - August 14 - 2:38 pm

  I bought my Escape Oct 2012. I really didnt plan on spending so much time at the service dept. first my doors wouldnt all unlock when I got out of my car. (They still dont but they refuse to try and fix it) Then my radio wouldnt shut off. Yay, fixed it. I have barley any air coming from my vents. Cant fix it. My brand new Samsung G3 doesnt sync with the system so know one can hear me. Still no updates from Ford. Now, my whole radio/sat/phone system wont work at various times and of course cant fix it because I have to bring it in when it happens which of course we know never happens when the shop is open. Black exhaust all over bottom of car. Told this was normal by service dept.

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  First Ford bought, Last Ford bought - 2012 Ford Focus
  By gonzales393 - August 14 - 4:59 am

  This car looks good, and thats where I stop praising the 2012 focus, right of the lot I felt a shudder when taking off and car was sluggish didnt think much of it, started to notice hesitation when accelerating from a low speed after coast down, harsh or late 1-2 upshift, harsh shifting. 1st trip to shop was told it was bad gas, next 2 trips it was reprogrammed, problem still here and MPG went from 32 to 29mpg, finally was told that this was just the way the new transmission was, and there was nothing to be done, Also A/C randomly quits blowing cold air, I should of kept my SRT 4.

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  Think before you buy this car - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By avatheps - August 8 - 7:27 am

  I bought the car new on May 1st 2013 and have driven it over 7500 miles. Most of the miles were driven during an extended trip to all points south of NY state. All highway conditions were experienced most being I81 and I95. Wet and windy conditions were frequent. I found several issues that I did not like and was happy with others. I will try and touch on most of them as briefly as possible due to the limited space available. My overall rating of this car is a 3 out of 5. This based on my thorough testing of this car in comparison with 49 years of driving experience and having owned many cars of all types. This car performs best in flat terrain. Do not buy it if you live on a hill.