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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  Love my Birds - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Sooner Bird Lover - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Shocking to read any poor reviews. It’s $40k, not $50k dont blame the car if you paid $10k over sticker. Radio has auto-volume control (it doesnt come programmed, see owners manual). Acceleration, handling, ride, braking, are ideal for the style of car. 91 octane gas is recommended if youre unhappy with performance, try feeding it right. Its not a sports car the luxury car ride is perfect for any kind of driving other than racing. Shifts are very smooth you CAN shift manually. The interior is plane, but it’s a retro-styled car. How much interior styling did you get in cars made 40-50 years ago? Styling REALLY turns heads.

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  2011 Ford Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By MS - August 17 - 1:30 am

  Car handles well on curves. Accelerates nicely but needs a little more oomph. Gearing is a little awkward, the dual clutch transmission is a little jumpy going from first to second then down to first gear as if its trying to find the right gear ratio at speed. Emergency braking is excellent.

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  A Grumpy Owners Bad Dealer Experience - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Grumpy Escape Owner - August 16 - 8:16 pm

  Transmission failed 170 miles. Ford was attentive to repair. Dealers service was terrible in that the dealer took too long to repair and did not appear to know what to do. Dealer said vehicle would be ready at the end of the day and then calls three hours later to say engine removed and and vehicle would be ready sometime the following week. Extremely poor service from dealer and Ford needs to supervise repairs to assist the customer. Dealer refused to furnish repair manual information and allow third party inspection of transmission. Car returned with bracket hanging after 19 days. Ford needs to tell prospective purchasers that vehicle may have a long break in period of about 5,000 miles.

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  Ford Fun - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Deez - August 16 - 10:00 am

  We just bought a 4WD 4.0L 5M Ranger and absolutely love it. It has already accumulated 10000 miles! Power is great and probably the best feature of the truck. Sound system is good with the upgraded MP3 player. Complaints, a few: there is a lot of plastic in this truck, the cheesy plastic bedrails need to go (though they are useful in protecting the bed of the truck) and the most annoying thing has to be the speed limiter at 93 MPH. Ford gets a thumbs up for great value and a truck that can smoke the Toyota.

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  Bad luck-truck - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Ford Ranger Owner - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Recalls, recalls, and more recalls. Poor accelleration, problems with clutch, tinkling noise while driving, howling noise while going into 1st, squeeling while starting (pully coming loose), front tire rubbing on controller arm, probs w/ cruise cntrl, bad tires, wiper motor, water pump...the list goes on. Most of all we had problems with Ford dealerships being able to diagnose any of our problems. They always seem to have an excuse for every noise..."oh that loud noise is normal" or "we hear it but it isnt anything important."

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  Great Truck New - 1997 Ford F-150
  By JerryT - August 16 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle I purchased was a great truck till about 85000 miles, then the transmission started acting up. I suggest, if you buy a ford truck to trade it in around 80000 if you plan on keeping it for a while. Whereas transmissions can be repaired, once they start acting up they will never be the same again and reliability will never be above 65% on a rebuilt transmission.

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  Love my 2001 f-150 supercrew - 2001 Ford F-150
  By Dan Vallieu - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I added several thingssuch as mud flaps,bedliner,bed cover,bug guard,rain guard on all 4 doors, side rail ala explorer type and fog lights. i get a ton of compliments. The mileage is great. I have the 4.9 v8 which is excellant power/mileage set up. I would not change a thing. I shopped around at all the major truck types and am very happy with my choice. I had a Dodge and Chevy prior to this truck but would by a Ford for my next truck without a doubt.

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  Great Car, Poor Reliability - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Love to Drive - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Contour. Our first Contour was 2 years old when we bought it and found that it had some reliabiltiy problems. We loved the car so decided to buy a brand new Contour thinking that proper maintenance and care would eliminate the reliability problems. It didnt. Our new car has been in the shop many times since we bought it. The starter went out after 5 months, the engine blew at 22k miles, the dash warped, the emergency brake mechanism has had to be replaced, and the trunk developed a major leak that required 5 visits to the dealership to fix. Still, this car looks great and is a lot of fun to drive as a family car.

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  Beautiful Dangerous Lemon - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By chipmcd - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had numerous problems with this van. Engine/Trans noises and clunking. What scares me about this is the doors come open when driving and then when you pull over they will not let you shut them. This has been worked on 7 times including the final repair under the lemon law. Many reports of this have been reported to NHTSA. Im now suig Ford for replacement under the law.

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  Bad apple, but I still like Ford - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By Fatherkey - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van at the dealership I worked at. Sold a few of them before I bought mine and everyone said that it was great and no problems. Bought mine and have had nothing but headaches. In the 26 months that I have had it, it has spent at least 6 of them in the shop. Pretty much every system of the vehicle has had work done to it, repairs totalling about $15,000. Fortunately I bought the extended warranty that covered all of it. When it runs it runs great, but it wont last more than a month or so before something else happens.