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:

• 

  Should of stuck with Honda - 2013 Ford Escape
  By danc80 - March 20 - 2:10 pm

  After having 4 Honda CRVs in a row I got very bored and decided it was time for a change. I had seen newspaper articles and tv ads about how Ford was really coming around and producing a better product so I decided to give Ford a chance and go American! Wow was I wrong. The car was in the shop less than a week after I bought it and then back in again 3 days later. I have had issues with the sunroof rattling annoyingly. The door lock not functioning properly and the Sync system has major flaws including not recognizing major Roads!!! Never in my life have I ever had an issue with any Honda ever. Ford is not ready I really made a mistake I feel like I bought a used car

• 

  bad seats - 2013 Ford Escape
  By kingjim1945 - March 12 - 5:04 pm

  This car has the worst front seats i have ever had. We drove 1500 mile on vacation and could hardly walk after getting here. We have done this milage with other vehicles and no problem. Anybody doing a lot of traveling had better stay away from an escape.

• 

  UNRELIABLE - 2013 Ford Focus
  By tommycj - February 23 - 10:09 am

  Ive owned a 2013 Focus for two months now and its been back to the shop twice for bad grounding wires in two different spots. The last one was for the fuel pump so the car died in the middle of traffic without warning!! Not the reliability youd expect from a car with 1400 miles on it. The dealership just laughs it off. Ford has come a long way but their individual dealerships still has a lot to learn!! Read up on their Electronic Power Assist Steering too. Not the sales hype either, find the complaints, there is a Tech Bulletin released on the problem but once again, the service center at the dealership acts as if there is no problem. My advice ... shop elsewhere.

• 

  Great car ,flashy design - 2011 Ford Edge
  By mshales282 - February 22 - 1:28 pm

  I have a 2011 Edge w/ all the whistles .. love the technology. On a trip to the NC mtns. the car quit on me in a lonely mtn road after a 3 hr. interstate drive. I found an area to pull off the road turned around (dropoffs on both sides) and coasted back down the mtn. while the engine idled roughly. ...stopped in church parking lot and shutoff the engine. on an whim turned on the car and it fired up normally. This quitting at (70mph) happened twice again on way home to Florida 2 x in dangerous spots where I couldnt pull off. Upon returning I informed a dealer of what I had heard from another dealer..faulty throttle sensor (no record in computor. They finally replaced it..been fine.

• 

  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By soulsoprano66 - February 15 - 10:40 am

  I bought my 2003 Windstar from a used car dealership with 88,000 miles on it. When youre a single Mom on a very tight budget, you will accept little flaws in exchange for overall reliability. Lots of annoying electrical problems, rear windows work randomly, interior lights flash, etc. But mechanically, this car takes all the punishment I give it and more. Very solidly built. Great pickup (I have the 6 cyl. model), and acceptable gas mileage. A few moderate repairs, alternator, wheel bearings, etc. (but it did come from coastal NJ so that was understandable). I have 170,000 on it now and it still starts up every morning, and runs great! Best car Ive ever owned. Ill drive it till it dies.

• 

  Automatic Transmisson problems - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By fiestatranny - February 14 - 2:12 pm

  10,000 miles and I cant put it into reverse or drive and had it towed to nearest Ford Dealership and it runs fine so they tell me they cant "verify the problem"like I made it up! So I do an internet search and find that people all over the country had the same problem. I sent the links the reports of Ford replacing transmissions to the head o the service dept. Only after doing that would the dealership even look at my car. And they found a check engine light and ran a report. They redid some computer issues but still arent sure if they fixed the "unverified" report...is keeping the reports "unverified" Fords way of under reporting how many owners have the same intermittent issues?

• 

  Excieted at first but disappointed now - 2012 Ford Explorer
  By g2a2k - February 12 - 7:25 pm

  The ride is extremely smooth and quiet, especially on highway. The Interior is luxurious with upgraded seats. Well engineered on this aspect. With that said, Ive had nothing but problems with MyFord Touch system and it has gotten worse lately. It continually locks up and freezes the entire system to include climate control, entertainment, and telephone. It soon after goes into a never ending loop of resetting that only works part of the time. I have all but given up on using voice commands as the voice recognition in it is poor at best. Despite getting the updates and having it at the dealer numerous times, the problems continue.

• 

  I just Dont know - 2012 Ford Focus
  By zhuber07 - February 10 - 7:57 pm

  I bought my 2012 Ford Focus around thanksgiving in 2011. Bought it brand new and was happy with it while test driving. For the first 6 months, it ran fine. But after that 6month point, started having problems. If I stop at a light, I have stalled(this is an automatic), where I have to change to Park or neutral, then put it back into drive. Each gear shift creates very large shudder noises as if my transmission is about to die. My radio has not turned on before or just got stuck and not turn off. Handling is great, and when it does go, it can getup and go for the kind of car it is. I drive decently, but never hit the MPG mark they have advertise

• 

  update to i want to love it again - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By mom2de - February 7 - 9:47 am

  car had 6 oil leaks. couldnt find issue with the transmission, airbag light "fixed". got car back Tuesday, was back in this am because of tranny light on again and airbag light. airbag kit needs to be replaced, not covered by warranty, and dealer cant find the issue with the powertrain/transmission light. word to wise, do not by a first year make/model of any kind. so my car will continue to skip and buck until I can find the right mechanic I guess! good luck!

• 

  For teenagers, Adults dont bother - 2009 Ford Focus
  By cherrie1 - January 26 - 11:38 pm

  I bought used 2009 for $9500 w/26000 miles in 2011, under TMV, so I thought I had a deal. However, I would not buy this again. The comfort level is very low with hardly any leg room. It does very poorly in certain weather conditions. Caught in a windstorm, I was forced to drive in the fast lane bcuz the slow lane was near deep embankments and the car behaved like it really wanted to flip. It also does poorly going around sharp curves. It now squeaks after that windstorm, and Im told its a bodyshop issue. Also, repairs on this can be $$. I pd $300 for a brake job. The defrost is horrible on this, takes way too long. Ok on gas, but just a teenage recreation car IMO.