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:

• 

  Funky and Fun - 2009 Ford Flex
  By k. black - April 12 - 8:53 am

  I traded an 2007 Ford Edge in on an 2009 Ford Flex. Ill be honest, Im still unsure about the exterior appearance and have taken a lot of ribbing about it being a "midget hearse" but you dont ride on the outside and the interior is awesome.

• 

  Build Quality an Issue - 2001 Ford Focus
  By MattrSIU - April 12 - 2:00 am

  2001, bad year for the Focus. Build quality issues. Simple things like rivets and screws, failing or missing entirely. 36,000 mile warranty not near enough for scary quality issues. Fuel economy is not as advertised. Expect 20-25mpg, not 30+.

• 

  Love My Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By lemac - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Great styling.Average gas mileage.Location for ignition key difficult to see,especially at night.A fun car to drive, great on long trips. Super vision with high seats and low hood.

• 

  Overall OK, lots of little problems tho - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Brvncrzy13 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for almost a year and a half. I have had it in the shop for probably 20-30 days for all sorts of problems. It cut off on me while I was driving down the road .. a problem that has been experienced by at least two others I know with their own Escapes. My 6-CD changer had to be replaced. The runners/steps had to be replaced b/c the vibrate so loud it disrupts the ride .. altho the new ones still vibrate .. obviously a defect in construction. Not sure why, but I had to have my brake oil reservoir repaired due to leakage. Those are the things I can think of off the top of my head!

• 

  Escape is awesome - 2003 Ford Escape
  By CPLJAB - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I had been searching for an SUV that wasnt monstrous but had all of the features I wanted. The escape fills the bill. I love driving it. The design is great and its a good looking car. The 4X4 works great...better then I tought it would for a small SUV. It wqas better then my last explorer. The snow storm recently also verified the high- quality ford build that I expect now.

• 

  good car - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Double0man - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car since buying it new. No problems except the stupid engine light comes on, but thats a known bug. Just buy the cupholder option from ford to make the cupholders useful (~$15)

• 

  3rd PCM Failure within 10K miles, under 100K - 2012 Ford Focus
  By John - April 11 - 9:08 pm

  Okay let me begin with this: I have written a previous review, but I lost my login, so I am back with a vengeance this time. As the title states, since my original post titled "Im losing my job and livelihood over this thing!!!" it has had 2 more PCM failures. The first time, I DID lose my job. The boss was clear. "If you cant come to work Ill just have to replace you." Well at least he was cordial about it and gave me a good reference to a similar company. So two weeks after the initial failure, I was back to work. Just somewhere else doing the same thing. There was the 2nd PCM failure about 4 months afterwards. Same conditions: Car wont start. Either the PCM doesnt believe the transmission is in neutral and therefore safe to start the engine, or it cannot get the transmission into neutral. Had it towed to dealership. Only payed towing fee. Ford covered the repair. Now, only 2 months from that failure, the car is in my driveway with its 3rd PCM failure. SAME. CONDITIONS. People, this is multiple failure of a critical part of the car that has failed on me 3 times in less than 10,000 miles. Im doing everything I can on my end to keep its maintenance up. I drive it reasonably, take good care of it, and it fails on me. Fails... fails... fails... There is no other explanation besides it is a flawed design, and Fords response and actions are futile. See all of these good reviews on here? I cant explain them. There are millions of unhappy, stranded and possibly unemployed people all because they bought this car with a horrible transmission. I cant blame them or berate them in any way. I mean, its a nice car, but it has this one MAJOR FLAW that can be a serious inconvenience at best, and life-threatening at worst. Google it. Spend a couple of hours researching every review you can find. Find a way to contact authors of positive reviews and ask them is their transmission still operating properly. For the third time in one year, my car is literally being described with an old Ford-bashing acronym, and I dont think I need to say which one. Please for love of whatever... DO NOT buy one of these things, used or new. Fords Powershift transmission is prone to random failures despite operating reliably up to the point of said failure.

• 

  91 ford taurus - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By tigger123 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  My 91 ford taurus L sedan is the best car ever!! The taurus is better than dodge,chrysler, and honda!

• 

  Value - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By PCCOPP - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my car in 1999 as a "Program" car - Hertz Rental Car return. I got it with 23K miles on it. (surprised that a rental had 23K in one year). Taurus is versatile. I like splitting the rear seat and running to Home Depot for 2 x 4s I purchased the car for $11.5K and felt it was a value to get a one year old full size/fully loaded car, with two years /12K of bumper to bumper warranty. The Dual Air Bags/ABS sold me. Car is dependable. No trany problems My coolant tank just cracked and my mechanic told me that this is common for Tauruses as a bad design. I am replacing myself and the dealer sells part for $32.00.

• 

  Great Cars - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Chris P - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Repairs in the past 10 years has been minor. Oil Pan gasket, Radiator, Brake Rotors, Water Pump, Battery. Car has never beem maintained properly. Oil changes done whenever done...currently 4,000 miles overdue. Cooling system never was flushed, which lead to replacing Water Pump and Radiator. Sticky breaks distroying the rotors was the only agrivating problem. Right now due for a tune up as its hesitating on the highway. Its the Family Beater, and it wont die!