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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  Its an OK truck, not more. - 1999 Ford F-150
  By PeterPan - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the truck for 3 years now and have put over 75,000 miles on it. Ive had two mechanical problems. The first was a leaking transmission (which, by coincidence, occurred just after I had the transmission serviced at 60,000 miles), and the second was a faulty idle seloniod. I had the dealer repair the transmission leak ($300) and a local mechanic repair the idle selonoid ($130). The pickup is due for another set of tire soon. Overall Ive been pleased with the vehicle.

• 

  Taurus - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By Justin_TX - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Car belonged to my grandmother until the headgasket failed (as many Ford 3.8Ls do) at ~68000 miles. Coolant leaked into the crankcase... spun a bearing and threw a rod. I got the opportunity to replace the engine... Its a nice car when it is running. Seafoam Green is probably the ugliest color in the world though.

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  Goodbye Ford - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Jeevis - June 27 - 7:40 am

  Bought new...start of a nightmare! Motor has been ticking since 500 miles. Ford retorqued and adjusted arojund the camshaft twice-no improvement! Dealer is stumped! Constant brake problems (car has only 20000 miles now). Steering stops have to constantly be "re-set and re-greased" because of noises when steering. AC would not turn off at one point-fixed now. AC doors were striking something and made knocking noises whenever AC was turned on/off-now fixed. Still some odd sounds under dash (like water running) and A/C panel-again Ford is stumped! Dealer blames Ford; Ford blames dealer. This loyal customer will take his loyalty to Toyota/Honda-never to return to Ford again!

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  Still Skeptical - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Aaron - June 20 - 11:10 pm

  I recently purchased a used 2015 Ford Focus that had 45k miles on it. After driving it for a few days, I noticed a very bad shuttering/vibration upon accelerating and a lack of acceleration power. Took it into the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was revving up too high between shifts and also needed the clutches replaced. After the clutches were replaced, the shuttering and vibration have gone away and it drives like an automatic. As of now, this has fixed the problem. I am skeptical that the shuttering will be gone forever but one can only hope. The dealer informed me that the new clutches were designed differently to fix this problem. Also, the vehicle does tend to have very poor acceleration and it seems to be difficult to pass other vehicles when necessary.

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  2001 Ford Windstar LX - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By evblitch - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Nice ride however the trunk door is really heavy and can be quite hard for a petite person to reach up and close. Paint scratches very easily. Drives very smooth and can fit up to 7 people comfortably. I like the option of being able to take out the 3rd seat.

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  Not a good family vehicle - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By mardecortes - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Replaced one ignition sensor at 1K miles replaced the steering pump at 19K miles the transmission stalls in cold whether when shifting from 2nd to 3rd sometimes the transmission does not shift from 2nd to 3rd so I have to turn the vehicle off, it looks like one sensor is not working (pay attention all of the ones that have had problems with the transmission) sliding doors "creek" when wet the A/C compressor was replaced at 37K miles the valves cover gasket started to leak at 10K miles sometimes the inside lights start to blink with no apparent reason (like a bad electrical contact).

• 

  only burnt once... - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By mom of 3 kids in OH - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought Windstar based upon safety ratings at the time. Thought we had a great van- but the Check Engine light went on every time we drove on a trip over 200 miles. Ford dealer never could figure it out - or why we had rough cold starts. Now at 112,000 miles, already fixed the gaskets and now need a new transmission. Wish I had checked consumer reports before I had purchased. Going foreign, but only because they have forced me. Will never buy a Ford again!

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  No More Fords for me, thanks - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By SMG401 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  The Explorer has excellent features and options and is very comfortable to ride, but there are major design problems with the 2000. Way too much lean around corners, a stutter skip when hitting bumps at what would be reasonable speeds in other vehicles, broken motor in the rear wiper, grinding noise in the front end that the dealer "does not hear" and an annoying rattle in the dash are among my experiences.

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  Safety/Security that they talk about so. - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Salmas - June 6 - 10:00 am

  DOES NOT HAVE AS A SAFETY FEATURE dusk sensing headlamps, auto delay off headlamps, which are a very important saftey feature for woman at night, also does not have daytime driving lights, which I thought all vehicles must have.

• 

  old reliable - 2002 Ford Crown Victoria
  By sapelo jim - June 2 - 10:43 am

  I have a love hate relationship with this car. I love that it has 122k on it an other than a few minor problems there hasnt been anything major happen with this car. I bought it because the reliability of these old school tools is reknowned in fleets and with loyal customers. The down side is that if the road is anything less than billiard table smooth the car rattles, squeaks, shakes, and shimmies its way over every bump and pothole on these budget deprived streets of Savannah. No sense of straight ahead on the road. Crosswinds blow the old girl all over the road. And yet, I average 20 miles to the gallon on my commute and can get up into the high 20s on road trips.