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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  Big Mistake - 2000 Ford Focus
  By GrandOwl - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Since buying my Focus new off the dealers lot, Ive had to endure five recalls, a cracked windshield, both back windows breaking, a wiring problem which caused the windshield wipers not to work (the windshield broke again during their attempt to fix that), a defect in the engine, a crack in the A/C line, and a defective passenger- side speaker that still only works 40% of the time after numerous repair attempts. While the design is great, the building materials and workmanship are sub-par (my back windows broke because the bracket which holds the windows in place is made out of cheap plastic which breaks if you must go over speed bumps daily).

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  Quality is NOT Job 1 - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By MountainMan - March 31 - 2:00 am

  After months of research, sold after 8 yrs(intended to keep much longer) and got a Honda Odyssey. US made engines look like 90yr old cardiac arrest patients on life support. Hondas is more like art work. We never expierenced the head gasket problem but after the research felt the odds were to great(esp if used for vactions/long trips). We were having trans problems. When it comes to head gasket&trans reliability, Id say its not a matter of if they develop, but when. I feel Ford cut corners to save a few bucks that end up costing consumers hunderds, even thousands. After owning 4 Fords, I suspect it extremely unlikely that I will ever own another.

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  Worst car ever purchased - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By KBadcar - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used in early 1997 with 38,000 miles on it. Had no idea what I was in for. By 68,000 (only 30,000 put on by me) I had replaced the computer, the head gasket and the transmission. By 72,000 miles, the transmission was gone again and the AC was blowing anti freeze into the car.

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  GL Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By hagar - March 27 - 2:00 am

  Mechanical reliability is the worst Ive ever seen. Im 54 and between myself and my wife we have had MANY cars, trucks and vans

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  Good looks, but poor quality - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By toysforboys - March 26 - 2:00 am

  No fun to drive, you allways have to correct the steering wheel. Problems: Brake peadal loose, Rear door felt loose, drivers door cannot be opened, Airbag light always on, sometime the tranmission is not shifting, rattles everywhere. Poor safety feature, no side curtain

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  Fun car as long as its running - 1996 Ford Contour
  By Charles Derdiarian - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for two years now and have thoroughly enjoyed its handling and power. The V6 provides strong accelaration despite its low horsepower rating. The build quality and cars reliability is terrible, though. I have gone through 3 water pumps in the last year ($250-400/pump). My first blown pump almost cost me my engine, as there is no temperature warning light and blown pumps often dont trip the coolant warning light. I have also had frozen valves ($400), gone through 3 catalytic converters (luckily covered by CA emissions), and a busted dimmer switch that shorted out my dash ($150). I will never buy another Ford.

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  Another Ford... - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By 99LX62K - March 25 - 2:00 am

  It is a good car but there are several design flaws. Like many I have seen, the door ajar light is always lit. The brakes leave a lot to be desired. The seats are very comfortable and it really is a nice riding car. Handling isnt as good as the import sedans but the suspension is definately better. I would lease this car but I would never buy a new one. The resale value on this car drops so much that it will cost you $3K a year to drive it. This 99 was purchased new for $16K and it is now worth $5K.

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  Ford Windstar In the Shop - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By bjdeliduka - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this Windstar for 105 days. It has spent 26 of those days (24%) in the repair shop with a series of failures. TSBs seem to be announced by Ford 2 or 3 days after my van suffers a failure. Anyone wana buy my van?

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  Cheaper to give away instead of fix - 1993 Ford Aerostar
  By GaveItAway - March 23 - 2:00 am

  In 90,000 miles over 9 years I had to fix the air conditioning three times (very expensive!), the ignition lock failed, the power steering pump failed, the brakes had to be redone twice, the power windows would not lower the windows fully without me pushing down on the glass, the sliding door would occasionally jam in the open position. I finally donated the van to charity because it was cheaper than fixing the A/C one more time!

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  Love it, but worried about longevity... - 2001 Ford Expedition
  By Margaret B. - March 22 - 2:00 am

  29K miles, 1 mo. in shop. Drivers side door rattle from day one. Replaced panel & window track but rattle is back & pass. side has same problem. Steerings very tricky & theres a clunk/pop from underneath car when turning steering wheel. Replaced 2 steering shafts, pump & gear, still having problems. Car idles rough. #8 injector went bad & was replaced along with coil boots. Has died several times, wouldnt start & had to be towed. Poor mileage, maybe related to rough idling & injector problems? Feel safe in it overall, but seems like Ford could have made mine better!