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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  shame - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By kerry - September 4 - 2:00 am

  as this vehicle gets older in drives very tinny. needed new tranny at 40 k miles which is crazy.gas milage is very poor for a 6 cylender and i get it in very good shape and well maintienced. for a vehicle at a cost of over 25k its not worth it.

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  Never again - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By trspd - September 3 - 2:00 am

  NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A WINDSTAR! Bought it for its 5-star safety rating at 69K miles. Replaced the engine at 70K miles. Engine light is always coming on-$55 to diagnose and re-set computer every time. Since May, Ive put in $3300, including new transmission at 120K miles (never had warning codes on dash come on, and nothing showed up on diagnostic machine when trans. started slipping), alternator, partial catalytic converter, O2 sensors, and much more. Drivers window doesnt work, and ignition cylinder needs to be replaced. Stress fracture across windshield. Money pit! Im buying Japanese from now on.

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  Seats are killling me!! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By DBW727 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Actually bought 2 of the above models, after first was stolen. Little did I realize the uncomfortable ride was not just the new leather. Escape is very capable in bad weather, peppy with V6, and handles well. The interior is where Ford has really gone wrong. Cheap plastic door panels (really hurt elbows), awkward seat height, and shifter location make everyday driving less than pleasurable. The ultimate downer are the rock-hard seats that have caused back pain in both my wife and myself. Ford cheaped out, but forgot that vehicles should at least be moderately comfortable. If you can stand the seats, the vehicle has a lot of good qualities

• 

  rough vibration and unfixable wind noise - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By columbus - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Have had continuos problems with wind noise and the 3.8 engine causes vibrations while stopped at intersections. I have been told that it has to do with stiff motor mounts and is only a problem with the 3.8 liter engines. Over all, I am not a happy Mustang owner.

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  This is a LEMON - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Steve - September 1 - 11:00 am

  This vehicle performed superbly right up until the 40,000 mile mark. First of all, the Pirelli tires are horrible and will need to be replaced between 35-40k. Secondly, I had to replace the brakes and rotors because they were shot. Third, I had to replace a transmission part that caused my engine to skip (thankfully covered by the extended warranty). Lastly, and most important, the engine stalls in the middle of traffic with no warning. I have taken it to the dealer but they cant figure out what is wrong. I used to think "buy American" but in the case of cars, ITS NOT WORTH MY LIFE or yours either! Do yourself a favor and STAY CLEAR of this one!

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  shopping again after only 1 year - 2002 Ford Focus
  By sooosorry - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This car has been an enormous disappointment. Its spent almost 3 weeks at the dealers service facility. Weve had new rear suspension, new tires, new ignition module (twice--the dealer installed the wrong one the first time, which meant no brake lights!). Now the "recirculate" feature on the climate control wont work and the "emission system" light is on. Back to another service appt. tomorrow. Im ready to bag it.

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  Reliable Truck. - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By DJS2003 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I traded my 2001 Ranger in for my 2002 because I was going to be doing alot of driving and wanted an Auto Transmission. There are a few things that bug me about this truck it has the 3.0 V-6 if you step on the gas the engine rattles like crazy it sounds like it is going to throw a piston. The ride is horrible over any roads other than smooth highways. Has anyone else heard the racket from this engine in there truck? I can say however I havent had any problems with the reliability though.

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  Dont buy it - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By sprig10 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  All good until about 80K miles lots of problems: heating system, starting problems with electronics biggest yet is poor to non-existent acceleration when pushing excelerator pedal down! Bogs down, much resistence - like trying to pull a train car. This happens at all speeds, especially noticed when moving from stopped position. RPMs wind up to near 6K with pedal to the floor before tranny shifts. Sluggish accelration occurs only when the car is warmed up/hot - runs great in morning for about 3 minutes, then the problem starts. Cats replaced to no effect. O2 sensor replaced to no effect. Dealership mechanics cannot figure out what is wrong.

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  Blown Engine 47K $4388 Quality is Job ? - 2002 Ford Escape
  By mightyjoe - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoyed my vehicle until the day the engine broke down and the dealership told me I needed a new engine. The Ford dealership told me that the oil pump froze up causing the engine failure and it was an obvious defect. Its a shame that Ford does not stand behind their vehicles.

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  Terrible Automatic Transmission - 2002 Ford F-150
  By bad modulater - August 28 - 2:00 am

  The transmission modulater is terrible. It hangs up in gears or just sits in a big dead spot and nothing changes. The dealer "pinged" the unit but other than that T.S. I had to accelerate quickly to complete a merge manuever and almost got hit because the transmission just refused to shift down quickly. Ford has had problems with this for years and there is no excuse for this. Im getting rid of the truck.