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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  Electrical system sucks - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Terry - January 8 - 3:21 pm

  I bought the car used. The battery light came on intermittently. The dome lights and signals would go on for no reason in the middle of the night. I went through 3 batteries in less than 5 years. The electrical issues became worse as time progressed. It was determined that the "cluster" was bad. There was an unidentifiable drain on the battery that got to the point that a brand new battery was burnt out in a matter of months. When a new battery was installed, the car was dead the next morning. Getting rid of the ghost in the electrical system would be a costly repair -- more than the car is worth. My mechanic found that these cars are notorious for electrical/cluster problems.

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  Wouldnt buy another 99 Windstar! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Rachelle - January 5 - 4:04 pm

  Bought the van from an elderly couple with only 128k. Seemed great at the time. The blinker for some reason whenever youd turn on the left one would flash a light on the dash like a bulb was out (it wasnt). No mechanics could figure out the problem. The heater fan quit working. Developed some electrical problem with the dome lights so when your driving at night theyd just randomly come on and stay on or sometimes theyd strobe. The back passenger door quit opening from the inside and would only unlock whenever it decided to. When the door wouldnt unlock you could not do it manually so the kids would have to climb through. Then around 140k the head gasket started leaking and between 140k and 150k the tranny just blew. I am a Ford lover all the way but they totally FAILED with this vehicle!

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  transmission issues that they will not fix - 2014 Ford Focus
  By eileen - January 4 - 3:40 pm

  The 2014 Ford Focus has major transmission issues-"shudders to the point of stalling. No one will fix it.

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  Do yourself a favor, dont buy it. - 2009 Ford Escape
  By Curt - January 4 - 3:05 pm

  If there was a lower rating for transmissions I would have given it. This car seems to have a ton of recalls, which the techs like to tell me that Ford is looking out for its customers. I like to view it as, a lot of poor design choices from a company who has been making cars to long. I get being new and innovative, but how about making a car that doesnt have the worst transmission in the world?!? Did they even test the damn thing before they threw it into cars? I realize that all cars have their issues, but this car seems to be the worst I have ever dealt with (dont believe me? just google it).

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  Not impressed - 2015 Ford Fusion
  By Joe - January 3 - 11:23 am

  I have a 2015 1.5 ecoboost fusion. I bought it for around 26,000 dollars in feburary 2015. 6 months later the car is only books for 17000. Holds no resale value at all. Infotainment system sucks. Heat is very cantankerous. Roasting one minute and freezing the next and if you are over 6ft do not buy this car. I am 64 and I cant sit up straight in the driver seat. I have to slouch to not bump my head on the head liner.

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  One Huge Problem - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Gilbert G. - December 31 - 7:01 am

  I just have one complaint about this vehicle, but that one complaint makes this vehicle extremely unreliable. The vehicles transmission has flaws that cannot be fixed by Ford. I have taken my vehicle into the dealership for transmission problems a total of 4 times. Every time it has been at the dealership ive been without a car for a week or more at a time. The vehicle makes grinding noises, shutters, slips gears, and transmission overheats. Everything else could be ignored except for the transmission overheating. Its gotten so bad, that when stuck in traffic the vehicle instructs you, through the small screen in between the gauges to pull over. When the transmission starts to overheat, you can really feel the vehicle shake and pull hard. Its gotten so bad to the point that I was almost stranded on the freeway at almost midnight, in some of the worse traffic I have ever been in. I had to pull over 3 times and after the second time I had to call into work because I did not think I was going to make it out of the freeway without being towed by AAA. I know this vehicle cannot be fixed no matter how many times its taken into the dealership, and even though my warranty was extended to 100,000 miles I know problems will continue.

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  omg me too - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Paula C Bowden - December 30 - 12:15 pm

  so like everyone else Im having transmission problems and I wish Id read this before buying. I went from a Honda to a ford. sigh. its dangerous. been repaired 3 times. I want to know how reasonable and safety are defined by the California lemon law.

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  First Ford-- Last Ford - 2012 Ford F-150
  By JHerrmann - December 23 - 7:25 am

  Never owned a Ford , never will again, besides the ridiculous sticker price on this car, Ford is less than helpful given the handful of issues I have had since I purchased the 2012 in December of 2012. Since then, transmission needed to be REPLACED - 35 days at dealership, brakes were suppossedly done at dealership, only to find out they charged me but never touched the brakes, discovered 4 months later after purchasing the 2nd set of tires for the vehicle. Just spent another 38 days at dealer for stalling issue. Fuse box replaced - Satelite antenae needed to be replaced. Just got in car this am and now the heated seats and the mirror defroster doesnt work. I am so sick of this piece of crap - I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND OR BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN.

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  Oh My Aching Back! - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By shawn - December 22 - 10:37 pm

  I purchased this car in early 2014. When I first had it, I fell in love with the Sirius radio (I actually used a plug and play radio for years until this one), and I had a Focus for four years prior. I thought this car would be an upgrade, but it has turned out to be the bane of my existence. Keep in mind, I dont have an ax to grind with Ford, as Ive had an Escort before the Focus. I guess Ive learned that I probably need a smaller car, however, it is more than that. Ive had more issues with back pain than ever before, and I dont think this car has helped. Ive tried to move the seat in every position, and still pain. Ive also noticed than when I dont drive it for periods of time the pain begins to subside. Lately Ive noticed that the visibility while driving is not good either too many impediments, like the rear view mirror and the windscreen side posts (probably due to my incessant seat position moves). The only thing that I can say positive about the car is the MPG-its pretty good for a car this size. Its too bad Ford had to squash it down so low to get this MPG. The seat seems to dip too low in the back, which creates no lumbar support and a heavy strain on the lower back in general. Now, I will say that I do use my lower back quite a lot, but Ive come to the conclusion that the car does not help, as Ive ridden in other cars that feel like heaven. My only advice is to people over five foot five, and that would be to never buy a Fusion. I hope i can sell mine cause I have seen several on the lots lately. Hmmm, wonder why? Good luck fixing this thing Ford!

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  Bad transmissions - Ford will not fix the problem - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Leslie - December 22 - 1:12 pm

  Please take time to Google the transmission problems Ford has caused with the Focuses and Fiestas. I have a 2014 Focus, and had to have my transmission repaired after owning the car for just a few months. The car lurches forward on its own, stalls when youre trying to accelerate, and is generally dangerous to drive. Ford switched to "automatic dual clutch" transmissions in these cars, saying they help with fuel economy. They are dangerous. Ive been calling my dealership for four months since the problems came back, and every time I call they say that Ford wont send them the parts to repair these transmissions. Ford is choosing not to fix this. Buyer beware.