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 happy with Ford - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By stacey moran - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I am very disappointed with the Ford manufacturers. I recently found out that there is a design flaw in Ford trucks from years 2000, 2001 and 2002. This is a flaw with the "air intake". You could drive through three inches of water and the air intake is placed so low that it will "suck up" the water causing the engine to lock up and have to be replaced. Ford refuses to take responsibility for their design flaw and will NOT do a recall. Yet they leave the insurance companies to cover all expenses for their mistakes in design.

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  Reliable Transportation with no flair - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By MEH - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This car has been everything you would want in reliable transportation. Have 105000 miles and have changed rear struts, starter, tires, front brake pads, brake shoes at rear, one emergency brake cable, cv joints because the boots broke and thats it. Havent even aligned it yet and the tires still wear even.

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  Caveat Emptor - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By qmac2000 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I,m sure some people drive their Taurus and have no problems, not me. Steering wheel locked @ 30k miles, engine mounts broke @ 36k(Ford would not fix them even though I feel this was not normal wear and tear). Coolant hoses blew while on vacation @ 50k, coil and module failed @60k(close to home fortunately), several of the power window buttons do not function and the windsheild washer pump works occasionally. To its credit the exterior has held up very well and there is no rust yet, although a few trim pieces have come lose and I had to glue them back on.

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  watch out for the fuel pump - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By on_the_fence - July 9 - 2:00 am

  2.5 years into having this wagon (bought with 30k miles) I was driving down a busy street. Suddenly, no power. Engine goes silent. Glide into a hotel parking lot. Tried starting car. No go. Car had been running fine up till now. Towed to dealer (first major repair, figured better safe than sorry). $500 bucks later, new fuel pump. 5 months later, fuel injectors clogged, needs a complete tune up (76,000 miles on it). Another $500. Generally a good car, but starting to worry, approaching 80,000 miles.

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  Average For a Truck - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By concernedbuyer - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I loved my truck being a woman and seated higher up from other cars. It was comfortable for my bad back and held up well. I started having major problems at 116,000. It was a 5 speed manual and one day the stick decided not to work when shifting. I maintained it very well always did the reccommended maintenance on it. I must say the best thing about this truck was the original tires lasted me almost 5 1/2 years before I had to replace all four. My husbands car is a 91 Toyota Tercel and he only had to do oil changes on it, compared to my truck. I think we will stick to Toyotas.

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  Good for the first 86,000 miles... - 1996 Ford Contour
  By schumah1019 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have had the Contour for 3 years now and have had no major problems. Oil changes every 3,000 miles, and a tuneup and injector cleaning about a year ago. It has been quite dependable, and my wife often puts on 300 miles a week of highway driving. But now its getting to the point where it seems like things will start to go wrong. Its losing power, dies occasionally after starting it up first thing in the morning, and the shifts from the automatic transmission are not nearly as smooth as they used to be.

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  Why did they ever build this car? - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Ihatethiscar - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This is quite possibly the worst car on the road ever. I would rather risk a Pinto of the 70s than spend one more minute in this pile of junk. Let me sum it up 3 transmissions, 2 head gaskets, new steering knuckle on driver side, numerous brake problems, plastic buttons on climate control are gone, suspension problems, and tie-rods. All before 100,000 miles. POS.

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  2003 Expedition / Exploder Looks - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Wifes Expedition - July 5 - 10:00 am

  This SUV looks like the Exploder. I think that little more originality could have been used to make it a little different besides the size. The interiors looks to bland and simple looking. They look CHEAP to me, again this an honest opinion. The same can be said for the new Expedition and the Exploder. By the way, in my side of town this car is not even available for sale yet. However, the pictures, which of course are embelished, and obviously using the EB or leather for presentation are deceiving. Welcome to Volvo (Too BOXY for my taste!)

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  First, last & only Ford I will ever buy - 1996 Ford Contour
  By CouldaBeenBetter - July 5 - 2:00 am

  1996 V6 LX. Bought mine with the Ford 100,000 mile warranty and I am sure glad that I did. I estimate that I had about 12 to $15,000 worth of repairs under that warranty. Hood, roof & trunk painted twice. 4 Catalytic Converters. A/C, Power Seats & Right Power Window all failed. Just about every sensor in engine has been replaced at least once. Constant thump from rear suspension that was never fixed. Persistent stalling problem. Finally at 110,000, I dumped $2500 into it to try to fix the stalling problem to no avail. Traded it in for $1500 and bought a Camry.

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  The van that sucked. - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By The Money Pit - July 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. Check engine light is on constantly. We have had to replace oxygen sensors multiple times. The transmission completely overhauled at 78,000 miles. The last draw was when the tranmission failed again at 88,000 miles. Shame on Ford for manufacturing such a piece of crap.