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:

• 

  Wont buy another - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By tt - July 20 - 2:43 am

  This was my first Ford Explorer, 2016 Platinum. I have driven Jeeps and a Tahoe in the past. I am disappointed with this vehicle in that within the first year of purchase under 15,000 miles the transmission went out with a snap ring failure inside the clutch and additional sensor issues. Transmission went out and left me unable to accelerate while driving down a busy highway with kids in the car. It was in the shop over 2 weeks for them taking my car apart trying to figure out how to fix it and get the parts. In addition the headliner was cut too short from the factory and continues to fall down on the passenger side door. We paid the premium price Platinum addition and do not expect to have a headliner that is falling down. Its been to the dealership twice to fix this issue and it is still not resolved. Finally, my tire tread is already worn out and tires need replaced. Really? brand new car, less than a year old, less than 15,000 miles and I need new tires? I drive in town on regular roads. I am assuming the tires from the dealership are crap and Fords taken the cheap tire approach. I will not purchase a Ford Explorer again and will be trading this vehicle in the near future.

• 

  2000 Windstar - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Skip - June 29 - 9:38 am

  To many repairs as it got older. Hard to find a reasonable repair shop and dealerships sometimes try to sell more services than needed.

• 

  Dangerous vehicle - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By Gary Blakeney - June 16 - 7:53 pm

  Owned this SUV for two years. Was coming thru a toll booth on the Ohio Turnpike. I was just starting to accelerate when at about 15 mph I heard a loud boom and the front passenger side dropped to the ground and pulled me hard to the right. I got out to look and saw the lower control arm broke cleanly in two, which ripped the front axle out of the transmission. This is something that should never happen and I will never buy a Ford again. 36,000 miles and the vehicle has never been in an accident. Im just glad I didnt have my kids with me or was traveling at a higher rate of speed. What a shame.

• 

  Ford Tire Company...Not our problem - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By jim33445 - June 14 - 1:06 pm

  Ford Motor Company has left thousands of customers with vehicles that they do not back, because it is not their problem.

• 

  Worst mistake weve ever made - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Courtney - May 28 - 1:11 am

  Buying this car was the biggest mistake we ever made. Its given us nothing but problem after problem after problem. Bought it at 36k miles, its now at 80k. Most days my husband takes my 2001 Chevy Lumina to work to avoid driving this plague of a vehicle. It is quite literally a hazard on the road. It shifts terribly, and at lights, you have to accelerate cautiously because theres no way of knowing if the car is suddenly going to upshift 2 gears from a dead stop and rear end the car in front of you. People think I dont know how to drive when they see me trying to drive out of a parking lot at low speed, which this car is not capable of doing, because its constantly trying to upshift or downshift and causing you to rocket forward and then you have to brake to slow down. And the brakes are extremely touchy on this car, far too much so. Ford has sent bulletin after bulletin asking car owners to bring their Focuses in for repairs on the clutch and transmission. The last time we did that, the very next day, the car got stuck in 2nd gear on the highway which prevented it from going over 25mph and my husband almost got into a wreck. We had to have our insurance tow the car to the dealership because Ford refused to come out. Then they kept our car for 11 days!!! They said it would be a one day repair but I got excuse after excuse when I called asking where my car was. They did NOT offer us a loaner during those 11 days. We finally gave up and although our Ford drives like its on its last legs (which it probably is), we arent letting Ford touch it again. The next time we bring it to a dealership, were coming home with a replacement car. We paid $16,000 for this car less than 2 years ago and its worth less than $10,000. STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR.

• 

  Dont buy it - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Tara - May 26 - 3:32 am

  so my ‪#‎2013fordfiesta‬ has had 5 clutch replacements already (its an automatic) I have worked with regional manager Phedre Chevry twice now on this and have NOT been offered reasonable resolve; after all of the aggravation I have requested a full refund of purchase price and have been denied. The customer service has been beyond horrible including me having to hound down reps to contact me and working with incompetent advisors at local dealerships. My car is NOT safe to drive (the recall it self states No Start And/Or Transmission Engagement Or Loss Of Power) Imagine having to deal with that 5 times and yes less than 800 miles since my last clutch and its doing it again!!!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACK AND I NEVER WANT ANOTHER FORD AGAIN!

• 

  many problems - 2006 Ford Focus
  By mtcilley - May 17 - 2:07 pm

  purchesed new 3/2006 NOT SAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN SNOW!! THE REAR END WILL SPIN AROUND CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROLL! wthn 2wks wiper motor burned out. found recall for same problem on other focus models but not specific to my mine -- ford will not respond, cost me $2oo bucks. rear plate lights, tail lights, rear turn signal lights started blowing bulbs then fuses and all lights except headlamps were out also the rear hatch door would pop open when ignition was turned on. found that wiring harness for rear hatch door had all wires broken. again found recall for same problem on other focus models but not specific to mine--again ford will not respond. spliced wires back together myself.

• 

  Engine failed at only 1300 miles - 2016 Ford Mustang
  By Shahnaz ali - May 9 - 7:35 pm

  2016 Ford Mustang brand new 3 months old only 1300 miles engine failed. They replace the engine but my car value is going down. After purchasing a car I stop 2 more times to dealership for coolant leak also. Engine failure is not related to the coolant leak that is the manufacturer issue.now ford not help me out for extra warranty.

• 

  Fusion engeri Navigation is worthless - 2017 Ford Fusion Energi
  By Mary - April 30 - 3:07 am

  I waited to buy the 2017 to get the new technology. It is horrendous. I paid $700 for a navigation system that has missing exits on major interstate highways. Highway 5 that goes from Canada from Mexico. I contacted Ford and they refused to do ANYTHING! Waze and Android Auto which are FREE both outperform this lousy navigation. It cant recognize your voice, losses your downloads, contacts etc. cant find over 50%of the things asked of it. I cant get it uninstalled. Do not buy this no matter how cheap. I am constantly frustrated by it interfering with Android Auto.

• 

  Truck - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By Big John D - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I hate this truck, it is uncomfortable,unreliable, and it backfires every 5 miles, so i quit driving it.