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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  PROBLEMS.... - 1995 Ford Explorer
  By XXXDIGGLERXXX - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Well I got my 95 in 97 and loved it then. Since then I have had 3 transmissions, 2 thermostats, 2EGR valves and numerous other small repairs. The most irritation thing is the color scheme. Willow Green interior. No other paint job will go with it at all. Lately i got a Flowmaster exhaust cat-back and a K&n air filter and i got back all the power i hve lost over the years from being young and dumb. I think im going to hang on to it and do little modifications for a couple more years. oh and the 96 bumperskirt fits perfect for that intergrated fog lights. so my 95 looks like a 96 1/2 and drives like a 99.

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  Beware the 1.9 Engine!!!! - 1996 Ford Escort
  By ofcgddss - April 23 - 2:00 am

  The 1.9 engine is the WORST piece of junk EVER! I bought the car with 30,000 miles on it...at 70,000 miles the heads had to be rebuilt at 80,000 the entire engine blew. This was the most unbelievably unreliable car ever owned. According to websites, MANY people have reported this problem with the heads as early as 50,000 -- yet Ford refused to do anything about it. Common symptoms -- shaking, rough idling, dying suddenly ... dump this lemon as quickly as possible and do what Im doing -- buying a HONDA

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  Powertrain is terrible - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Randy - April 22 - 7:36 pm

  My 02 has had a leak in fuel line, new cat converter, fly wheel in transmission, clutches in differential, blower motor in air conditioner, front power seat motor, had to turn rotors at 20k miles. This thing is a lemon. Stay away. I cant afford to keep it and the TMV is so low now that I cant afford to sell it either.

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  :( - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By AmandaGrover - April 22 - 2:00 am

  The rotors on the brakes have had to be replaced already and are in dire need to replacing again. Brake pads have been replaced several times over. The blinkers stopped working and no one can really tell why. The piece that holder the windshield wipers started rusting out. The fuse box is extremely hard to open as is the hood. The acceleration on the freeway is very rough and the gears shift unexpectadly when trying to go from a complete stop.

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  Good Get Around Car - 1995 Ford Escort
  By escortdude - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 1995 Escort in 98 when I was in college, and it took me from Missouri to the East Coast, Maryland to Maine, to the West Coast, back and forth several times, all with no major repairs except for the tranny. And lets face it, the trannies go out around 80 or 90k anyway. Betty the Red Escort was very reliable, had GREAT gas mileage, had GOOD pickup for a 4 banger, several tickets attest to that, and although my woman made fun of me for it, I enjoyed this car. I could haul a lot of stuff and barely had to refuel the tank. And she never left me stranded.

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  Biggest piece of crap I ever owned - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Dani J - April 22 - 2:00 am

  In 1 year I had to replace the onboard computer, replace the timing belt (miantenance), rebuild the transmission, and have had to replace the rotors 3 times. They cant fix a short it the electrical system. It has lost almost all of its value, which has left me upside down in my loan.

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  mixed review - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By jericson - April 22 - 2:00 am

  As far as its reliabilty and performance it has much to be desired. While on vacation, about 500 miles from home the ignition module went out and left us stranded. (there were lawsuits with Ford over this problem-some families were killed when this happened to them) Many other times, not far from home, especially on warm days I would get stranded after driving a relatively short distance, turning the car off. When I would try to start the car up again it would not start-but hours later it would start. After Ford put out a bulletin regarding this problem (fuel pump) we had that replaced.

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  Poor Build Quality / Attractive Wrappper - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By edge4syn - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Poor build quality. About to go in the shop for the fifth time. One sensor after another has gone bad. Rim had a defect and was replaced. Gas mileage is nowhere near stated mileage. Trans has already begun slipping. Good looking, nice driving truck with powerful 4.0 engine. The interior was designed for the active crowd, yet every time the seats get wet or damp they develop stains. The interior door handles are plastic and have begun peeling. I have been a ford guy my entire life, and I would say theres a good chance Ill never buy another Ford.

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  Ranger vaues - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By dakotared - April 18 - 2:00 am

  After having problems in the Ford family of cars. The used Ranger line gets overlooked a lot. If you find one at low miles its a good truck for the price. I have found rangers priced about $ 500 lower than the dakotas or S-10 trucks. Just stay away from the 4 clyinder trucks. The ranger is a fun to drive truck. Even the 2 wheel drive is able to take some heavy off road. duty. To make your Ranger a truck best for the real world , Do a little cheap customising. Just add 15 inch wheels & tires lift blocks on the rear. Now your ready for the muddy country roads or a cormfotable cruise on the interstate. Find yuor roange & have so much fun.

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  HEAD GASKETS!!!!!!!! - 1993 Ford Thunderbird
  By hooknose - April 14 - 2:00 am

  These cars blow headgaskets!!I wish I knew they blew ON ALL before I bought it.I didnt even have plates on it and the head gasket blew.Check engine light comes on at random, sometimes will go months in between occurences. I will be driving along, all of a sudden it starts hesitating and the check engine light comes on then goes right back off.I drive for a few more minutes and it works fine. Then stop at a traffic light and it runs fine then all of a sudden just stalls no hesitation no drop in rpm just bang its off. It takes water at random.In short, DO NOT BUY THE 3.8L V6!!!!! Seems as if the V8 is okay though, from what Ive heard and read.