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:
Showing 2201 through 2210 of 30,482.00-
Loved it, but hated transmission - 1991 Ford Explorer
By Tibbels30 - March 13 - 2:00 amBought it used Oct 4,2001. Broke down December 24th (lovely christmas present) 2001. The transmission went out. Come to find out the dealership put a used transmission in it in September. We made them put in another transmission (used again) around the end of Jan 2002 and it also went out in about 120 days (after the 100 day warrenty expired) Now it sits and the finance company doesnt even want it back!! I was told that transmissions in Explorers go out all the time, exspecially before the put in the newer ones in 1994. Do I dare buy another?? I cant deciede. Good luck to anyone who buys under 1995.
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Ill never learn - 1996 Ford Taurus
By 3rd Strike - March 11 - 2:00 amI got this car second hand from a relative who kept very detailed service records and followed the maintenance schedule religiously. The vehicle has roughly 118,000 highway driven miles and there are no outstanding recall issues. So, after 2 horrible experiences with a 1991 and a 1993, I foolishly purchased another Taurus with similar problems. Currently, the transmission is being overhauled after losing 4th gear. I was hoping it was the MLP sensor or something relatively benign, however why should I have expected anything less than another outrageous repair.
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Mileage - A true account - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
By spammed - March 6 - 11:39 pmYoull receive 80% of what youve paid for. Does not go over 25 mph from stop to gas engine engage. Use the heater and lights and mpg goes to around 27 at 60 mph with cruise. Summer with air conditioning gets 35 mpg in town if youre lucky. Colder, higher country (Idaho, Montana, etc) doesnt carry CMax on their lots. Lots of gleeming claims on various sites, maybe a lot of marketing sending spam? Ive spoken with other actual owners and they report the same problems. I have over 4,000 miles & been in twice for "updates" on system, maybe now my clock will keep better time and my smart phone will sync up every time - but Im not holding my breath.
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Be careful - 1996 Ford Windstar
By owner of new and old - March 3 - 2:00 amI have owned this vehicle since 30,000. It is now at 80,000 I can relate to all of the problems. Tran started slipping around 50,000 in 1st gear, now have leak in timing valve gasket, estimated 800 repair, check engine light on all the time, runs rough at idle, has always made a "popping" noise from the front suspension.
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Stay away from this car! - 1994 Ford Mustang
By Finch31 - March 1 - 2:00 amI bought this car in 99. A 2 dr Coupe, 3.8 V6. It has been a total nightmare experience. I bought it from a gal, that had previously bought it from a good friend. I had to get a rebuilt transmission after I hit 79,000 miles, then it was a water pump, then 2 thermostats and then at 99,595 it blew a head gasket going down the highway. I put a rebuilt enigne in it and soon had to replace the theromstat again. This car has cost me a fortune and thank god for the other day I ran into a deer which did some minor damage, but deployed the airbags and they totaled it out.
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Shouldve stayed with a Toyota - 2013 Ford Fusion
By Chrisral - February 28 - 10:46 amThe design is poor, during the summer when using AC condensation impeeds your line of sight out thefront window. The car is on its four recall. Im on my third catalytic convertor AT 32,000 miles. The tires from the factory had to be replaced at 30,000 miles, they were to be warranted until 65,000 miles. Manufacturer would not honor warranty because on had tires rotated twice. Which is a load of crap since the tire wear was even on all four tires. I shouldve stayed with Toyota but liked the look of the Fusion, Big Mistake. I will be going back to another Toyota. Farewell Fusion....very unhappy wIth purchase!
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Not Quite Sure - 2000 Ford Explorer
By AndyB - February 28 - 2:00 amI have only had my truck for about 3 months, and i have already put over $400 in work on the transmission, and its still not working quite right?? The display on the radio goes out sometimes, and there is a weird rattle when it idles sometimes? After reading some of these reviews its kinda got me thinkin about trading already. But as far as looks and all around usefulness its great.
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Drive train Headaches - 1997 Ford F-150
By Donald Badstuebner - February 26 - 2:00 amThis truck is equiped with a 4.2 liter v6 motor. It is pleasant to drive although it is not very peppy. Gas mileage averages about 14 to 15 MPG which is about 65 % highway driving. I recently had a coolant leak in the timing chain cover. A local garage that employed a Ford trained and certified replaced the leaking gasket. I got the truck back and after driving it less than 300 miles the motor lost oil pressure and seriously damaged the engine(needed a new engine @$3800). Ford has had problems with the design and(or) manufacturing of some of their motors in recent years.
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WHAT HAPPENED??? - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
By Vic - February 24 - 9:00 amI decided to trade up from a 92 Crown Vic and I was amazed at how "PLASTIC" the new cars are. My 92 was solid as a rock with great acceleration, good interior materials. The 04 is just plain cheap. The carpeting, plastic trim and mold on everything. The material lining in the trunk I could put my finger through. Think I paid more for less.
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fix or repair daily - 1996 Ford Explorer
By chevy owner - February 24 - 2:00 amwe had our explore for 5 years. It was in the shop at least once a month for the 1st year they could never fix the problems. A loose rear sway barwas fixed after 4 vists. then stuff really started to go wrong. we replace the rear door handles 3 time under warranty left the broke after that. replace the ball joints 8 times!!!! each one at least once the cv joint once had to send the front end 200 miles toi get it fixed. and could not get parts for except form ther dealership for 4 years not even the 25 dollar air filter. Overall the car always ran but needed constant
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