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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  Worst Car Ever!!!! - 2011 Ford Edge
  By Dg12192016 - August 24 - 7:49 pm

  I have been having transmission leaks ever since i bought it. Brought it to Bay ridge ford (horrible dealer) for service and he tried to play me for a fool. He would clean the oil and make it seem like he fixed it. I called Ford service and their costumer service is useless, no help at all. Dont ever buy fords, worst cars ever. I learned my lesson!

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  Poor Car - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Karen Frye - August 13 - 11:55 am

  If I would have read the reviews before I bought this car I would have never bought it. Culutch issues Ford refuses to fix it because its not bad enough to replace yet. Over all the car is nice, its sporty, drives good. I have always stood by a ford Not sure now Stay away from Ford Focus

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  Ford - A car that is a mistake - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Ford - fix - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a joke of a vehicle. My cousin bought a new Focus. From day one she had problems with this auto. During her first 1000 miles of driving the transmission needed to be fixed three times. At 1800 miles the battery failed. At 2700 miles - the brakes failed, yes at 2700 miles the brakes failed. Her dealer was useless. The zone representative was of no assistance. She will never buy a ford and I would never own one either.

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  Not a good quality-reliable van - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By SANCHEZ,EDNA - July 12 - 1:08 pm

  The van is not a good quality. Looks good on the outside but nothing good on the inside. The electrical system easily broke down, alternator work out on two years. manufacturer did not informed us that there is a recall on the van. The Van stop in the middle of the Freeway at no warning. The power window does not work to good. The sliding door stock every time.

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  LEMON!! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Tara W. - June 20 - 10:15 pm

  2014 ford focus, had the clutches replaced in 2015 and still shudders. Got a lawyer and filed a lemon law .....got a settlement from ford and now they have extended the trans warranty to 10,000 miles. Just took it in for a TCM update as per the letter from ford (transmission control module) service adviser told me it will never be perfect but it will help. Even with the new clutches last summer it was shuddering again, what a piece of junk.

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  beware used - 2008 Ford Taurus
  By Mark - June 15 - 2:02 pm

  Many issues with steering rack with this car. Did not show up on research until specifically looked for steering issues. Loose all power steering and extremly difficukt to make turns. This is common problem and ford refuses to issue recall. Had to have replaced 6 months after purchase last year. Avoid this veichle.

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Gail - June 13 - 9:15 pm

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  No Navigation - 2016 Ford Mustang
  By william munn - April 17 - 2:54 pm

  This mustang is the perfect v6 version of the car except that Ford was too cheap to put the sync 3 into this model. Build the ultimate v6 mustang that is great in every respect, and then put an outdated piece of crap like sync that has no navigation instead of the new model sync3. 2016 mustang is a great car. 2016 Ford motor company not so much.

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  Dont buy this truck - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By rivera - April 15 - 12:26 pm

  We have had this truck less than one year and it has left us stranded more than 4 times! The mechanic has made over $1,000 dollars for repairs on this truck. First the air bags broke, we replaced them with springs, then the battery went out, then the alternator broke, then the fuel pump needed to be replaced. I told my husband not to buy a Ford, now were both paying for it. Stick to Honda, mine has never had a problem, its ten years old 120,000 miles and still going. Were getting rid of this piece of junk.

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  Will spend huge amount of money on repairs. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By FrustratedFordDude - April 14 - 11:55 pm

  I bought this car at 100,000 from a used car dealership. Everything checked out fine, only 4 years old. My car started shuddering at acceleration, the dealership told me nothing was wrong. Had it for 6 months and my car eventually stopped shifting gears all together. Took it to Ford, they wouldnt cover it. The clutch had failed and the warranty I purchased wouldnt cover it. Costed me $1,800 to fix! Once they took the car apart they found more and more problems totaling another $1,000! Its been 2 months and this car is still being fixed. Ford wont even give me a loaner car. Once fixed, I plan to sell it and buy a non-ford car. Do not buy this car!