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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  Plan on purchasing a new engine - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By Tiff101 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  The only thing about this car is that it looks good. Other than that plan on replacing the heads or totally getting a new engine. I will never purchase a Ford again due to their lack of informing that my engine could have defects or them totally giving me the run around when I called to get my vechile fixed. I ended up replacing the engine myself because I was just a few miles over the recall amount. I have had both! Its not worth it in the long run, trust me dont let your heart buy your mind and wallet a nightmare.

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  1999 Ford Mustang Coupe - 1999 Ford Mustang
  By MustangShelly - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car used with only 400 miles on it. The only major problem I had with it was that a spark plug connection got loose and my car went dead while going 80 on IH-10. Good thing I was in the right lane and next to the sholder. Got it towed and fixed. Other maintenance has been oil changes and tire rotation. All-in-all, a great car. I have been rear-ended and have rear-ended someone else and the only damage has been bumper. The body held up nicely. Wish it was a little more roomy. My husband who is 64" has problems driving comfortably.

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  Taurus unreliable, but is nice - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By adam Schiff - July 23 - 2:00 am

  My taurus has needed Fuel Pump, tensioner, fan belt : $325 Brakes, pads, rotors : $275 Exhaust : $175 Bag thingies over tires : $200 Other things I forgot : $500 Air Conditioner mt : $100 I suppose for 2 years of driving thats not too bad, but I think a camary would have required even less. Get one of those......

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  $3,000 repair for a 2012 with 70 thousand miles - 2012 Ford Flex
  By dan - July 22 - 8:42 am

  The engine completely blew on the car and had to be replaced, at a cost of $13,000. The car still had $18,000 left on the loan and was blue booked at about $21,000. Ford dealer said that since I was late on an oil change (by about 4 thousand miles), that caused the failure. They said when they went to drain the oil, it was thick and black and that is what caused the engine to fail. I said BS, the engine, in the process of failing, CAUSED the oil to become black and thick, because there is NO WAY that missing one oil change by only a few thousand miles can cause anything close to that kind of damage. Bottom line: I paid for the new engine then DUMPED (sold) the POS as fast as I could. I have had great experiences with Ford trucks going back to the 90s. I think this may have been simply a LEMON, but the dealer didnt give a crap. Believe it or not, I replaced the Flex with a 2015 F150 with ecoboost engine ... well see how this goes. The AWD transfer case (part of the transmission) fails on these cars! Cost $1,600 (with labor, the part is about $1000) to replace it ... that is IF they dont find other issues due to RUST on the parts that have to be removed to replace the transfer case. In my case: the right side control arm had to be replaced because they could not get the ball joint to release, so the ball joint got ruined in the process AND since Ford in its quest to save FORD money has front control arms with the ball joints built in and not replaceable means that bottom line: ball joint (a $20 part) fails, you end up buying a $200 control arm and paying $100 in labor to change it. So now we are at $1,900. Next is the passenger side turbo charger .. it is located forward and low on the engine and has no protective covering or anything to protect it from the elements, so it RUSTS - badly! It has to be disconnected to replace the transfer case. The mounting flange and bolts rust so bad that they break when attempting to remove. Now we are buying a new turbo charger at $586 plus $560 in labor! So NOW, the cost of replacing this transfer case is a whopping $3,046!! My advice: if your Flex is going over 60,000 miles GET RID OF IT!!

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  Reliable Construction and Dependable Car - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By Debbie Isabella - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle ten years ago and it is still going strong. It is the most dependable car I have ever owned. It has never left me stranded. Ive been the recipient of several read-end accidents and my Taurus has taken the impact with minimal damage to the car and myself. The body style changed in the late 90s and my husband drives a 1998 Taurus. I like my model better - roomier on the inside. Id recommend a Taurus to anyone who likes comfort and dependability. Debbie

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  A nightmare brought to life! - 1995 Ford Contour
  By EJA - July 22 - 2:00 am

  What would possess a manufacturer to produce such a lousy car??? To elaborate........ THE DOWN SIDES: No tilt steering (WHY?) cup holders that only accomodate a 12oz can of pop or a small size coffee manual seat slide lever is placed next to the center console, while the seat tilt lever is on the door side (very difficult to adjust without being seated) Gas compartment that cannot be opened from the outside, and seldom from the release lever on the inside (release latch sticks, leaving no way to fill your tank) ON THE UP SIDE: Has a peppy 2.5l DOHC engine (VERY responsive) has 78,000 miles now, and we are in the process of replacing it.

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  Problems - 1996 Ford Contour
  By SamanthasPain - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble. I have had many sets of brakes, new calipers and new caliper kits, new rotors. Several recalls for the blower and the blower switch. I had all new fuel lines and fuel sensors, o2 sensors replaced on 2 occasions. The cup holder holds 1 can drink and has been broken for a long time and it cost $80.00 for a new one. I have had to replace the moonroof motor. The switch for the windows is broken and it is $50.00 just for the part. If this car had been driven hard before I got it I could understand. But, I bought this car new. It had 7 miles on it when I drove it from the lot. I will NEVER buy another Ford product.

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  Family Van + Dog - 1992 Ford Aerostar
  By LJN - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Our van just goes and goes. It has great interior room for kids, dog and luggage. We have traveled accross country several times. Regular maintenance keeps everything running, warning lights actually do mean something. This has also been a great car to teach teenagers to drive. Safe!

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  2002 Thunderbird Convertible - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By liannjon - July 22 - 2:00 am

  If you loved your Dads TBird, this is the car for you! Once I got it, I didnt even mind the price. We get a lot of attention. The car responds like a dream and I love to hear the roar of a V8 again. Dont mind the two seater - this is not a car for the kids anyway. This car makes you feel too young to have kids.

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  Sorry in Seattle - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By May - July 22 - 2:00 am

  We have owned the vehicle for 9 months and it has been in the shop 7 times. Suspension problems (A mysterious clunking noise in the front suspension that the dealership cannot seem to hear or find) have plagued us from the beginning. In addition, a wheel bearing and front strut has failed, we have experienced a broken parking brake handle, and now for the grand finale - transmission problems at 14,000 miles. This is by far the poorest new vehicle that I have ever owned.