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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  Not my fathers 66 Mustang Coupe.. - 2010 Ford Mustang
  By wilcox - May 10 - 2:36 pm

  Its motor (4.6) is smaller than dads old 289 cu in. with the 2 bbl carburetor. And its an electric Grabber Blue color w/black cloth top - which always looks better when not sitting on a car lot. I keep it garaged and only drive it on nice days. Loads of looks and compliments on the street. Its actually an automatic (not offered in Model review selection info by Edmunds) and it works perfectly for a vehicle made in summer of 2009. Wife gave it to me as a 25th anniversary present. It surprising how nice this vehicle is, and the sound it makes is just right. No tickets, and drive it with traction control activated. An ounce of Image is worth a pound of performance.

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  Horrible Car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By fiestaflop - May 10 - 7:05 am

  Why are there no reviews of this vehicle since July 2011?? Why does nearly every post mention significant problems with the vehicles transmission, including complete replacement in less than 5,000 miles yet all the reviews give the car 3 stars?? Overal rating 4 stars?? I bought this car for my 18 year old daughter. Ford has already replaced the transmission once for the same issues being reported by many other owners. Now they are trying to say the grinding noizses and extremely rough shifting is "normal". Do not buy this car.

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  Reliable AND Safe! My favorite SUV! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By ftreduc8or - May 8 - 2:05 pm

  We purchased a used 2000 XLT in December of 2010 with 111,000 miles. It wasnt what we were "looking" for but it turned out to be a GREAT buy! Immediately after purchasing we had to replace engine gaskets at $500 through a Ford Dealership here in Phoenix and that was the only problem we had. at 124,xxx miles I had a rear tire blowout on the freeway at 65-70 mph. Hit both barricades on each side of the freeway. The truck was totaled but I literally walked out of the truck with only a broken arm and sprained foot after kicking the door open. This SUV is about as safe as they come and mechanical failures are minimal if you perform the scheduled preventative maintenance.

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  Run far far away from this vehicle! - 2011 Ford Escape
  By undertakeress - May 8 - 12:00 am

  My dad worked for Ford, and I have owned nothing but Fords my whole life.. I leased this in April 2011 and am counting the days til it is expired. The transmission is HORRIBLE - Its been in the shop 4 times and nothing has been fixed. It jumps gears and feels like youve been in a big accident - I almost hit my head on the steering wheel! Vibration at idle at stoplights or drive thrus is horrid, and you can hear the ticking when you start it up. I dont know why this has not been recalled. Every person that I talk to at my job at an auto parts store that has a 4Cyl Escape 09-11 has the SAME issues! Get it together Ford!

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  Looks can be and ARE deceiving with the 02 Focus - 2002 Ford Focus
  By himynameisnick - May 7 - 5:14 pm

  Bought her used at 78K Miles. She held up fine until 84K at which time the water pump went out. Then a cracked rear wheel bearing. THEN at 98K the tranny went...$3000 to replace. Then the AC would stall the car out at idle. Then a ignition coil replacement at 104K. then the alternator a week later!!! Seems like she was in the shop at least once a month fer sure. she drove fine for another 10K THEN the FREAKING MOTOR threw a valve-lifting rod! Also since day 1 of ownership, the car had overheating problems and i spoke to friends who owned the same year focus, same problem as well. All that being said, she held the road like [non-permissible content removed]! and she handled really well. looks sick too!

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  Ecoboost Gas Mileage - 2012 Ford Explorer
  By bctrane46 - May 7 - 12:59 am

  I love my new Explorer but the gas mileage is not as advertised. I would not have spent an extra $1,000.00 to get worst highway gas mileage than a V6 Explorer. I highly recommend the V6 verses the 2.0 liter ecoboost. After 2,000 miles and resetting my MPG counter after each fill-up I only get around 21 MPG on the highway at best. Combined mileage stays between 18 to 19 MPG which is ok but I am very dissappointed in the highway MPG. I know people with the V6 who get 24 to 25 MPG on the highway with their FWD Explorers. But we love everything else about the vehicle. It is a well equipped Limited and the ride is simply awesome and very comfortable. Go Ford, but drop the 2.0 unless MPG improves!

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  Best compact truck ever! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By jermz17 - May 6 - 3:03 am

  I bought this truck with almost 100K miles on it, It drives good and preforms good, I have a 2WD 4 door super cab and could not ask for more, in the winter it handles the snow well and in the summer it handles the asphalt better. It tow almost 6K worth of goods and gets up to speed when you want it too, the only problems I have ever had were the oil sender sensor and a valve spring breaking, other than that its the perfect compact pickup I have ever owned!

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  Ford Taurus V6 vulcan, Good sedan - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By jermz17 - May 6 - 2:49 am

  This is a good car, It has all the features you would need to drive a family around. But like all cars this one does have common problems but they can be fixed. Fuel pump, Coil pack, and camshaft. Not cheap but easy to fix and if you take good car of the car it will take care of you.

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  I wanted an SUV not a Mini-Van - 2012 Ford Explorer
  By robert200 - May 5 - 1:25 pm

  At first I was excited to get my new 2012 Ford Explorer but that quickly faded. After a few months of towing my trailer around with it problems started to arise. I didn’t think that my sea doo trailer “which is well under the tow limit” was going to be a problem but after bring my explorer back into the service department for the third time the service writer practically interrogated me about how I use the vehicle. After I explained that I either use it to tow my dirt bike or sea doo trailer he then says to me “Well that the problem, it’s not meant for all that” I was shocked by this response considering I bought an SUV for this purpose. I went to the dealership the next day to pick up my explorer then I drove across the street to the Dodge and traded it for a new Durango.

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  rust - 2007 Ford Ranger
  By meis - May 5 - 11:05 am

  I have a 2007 fx4 off road ranger,v6 auto with tow package(bougth it new) use it on week ends, have 50,000 miles. very reliable, got me to where we go,especially in snow,would like better gas mileage about 17-20 mpg highway. I have two issuses , since new the transmission when driving and the speed drops to 20 miles a hour and it down shifts it feels if someone kicked me in the seat,trips to the dealer resulted in reprogram computer,work on the vavle body chech transmission.The dealer said that is the way this transmission works. Second issuse is rust, looking underneath there is rust all over when I brought it to the dealer they said they cant do anything unless it rust THRU. Has anybody