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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  New Tires - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By JS - June 29 - 10:06 pm

  I like this truck and would rate it much higher if I didnt have the suspension problems. I have 35,000 miles on my truck and the front tires (second set) are feathering on the inside half. I have been told several different reasons for the problem ... struts, shocks, alignment. This truck has had problems eating up tires since around 13,000 miles. I have never heard of a vehicle going through shocks or struts that quickly. Also idles rough and "floats" during highway driving due to the suspension problems.

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  Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By tigger - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Call me an idiot but I bought another 3.8 engine. I have a Ford Thunderbird with 3.8 engine and had the head gaskets replaced and now Im changing the head gaskets on a 96 Windstar. Neither case has ford offered to help. I find it very funny that they say it is because of maintenance. I do my own maintenance. I changed the oil every 2,000 miles on the Thunderbird and followed the maintenance manual for flush and fills of the anti-freeze. My advice to anyone is stay away from Fords. If you do buy a Ford stay away from the 3.8 engine.

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  "Great car for the money" - 1992 Ford Tempo
  By carloshoropeza - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for over a year and it has been a very good experience,very reliable and always i feel i can count on it. The A.C. runs perfect! i feel col right away when i star the car.Just very pleased that i purchased.

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  Solid as a Rock - 1995 Ford Aerostar
  By travelin_guys - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Other than some problems with the A/C, we havent had any problems in 132K miles. From Fla, to New Orleans, to New Mexico - this van has never left us on the side of the road.

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  I LOVE my truck! - 1996 Ford Ranger
  By Metis Floyd - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have driven my little truck hard. It just keeps on ticking. I really dont mean to run it hard but it just runs so great, that it is hard not to. I compare it to a 86 Toyota 3/4 ton that I had, they both just keep performing no matter how hard they are driven. Way to go Ford!

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  Great and Horrible - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By Lee Diane - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Good ride. starts every time. steering good. interior nice. handles well. now for the bad stuff. Have had nothing but problems with 4 wheel drive. tough to get it to shift out of 4 wheel -since it was new! 5 trips to dealership were fruitless. tranny hangs up sometimes between gears. learned to live with it at 60,000. electrical problem solved at 30,000.

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  112k 98 Ranger xlt extended cab 2x4 - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By wap - June 29 - 2:00 am

  After purchase dealer service fair to poor. 112,700 miles. 4 cyl., 5 spd. LOF every 3k to 3.5k. Brakes at 55k and 102k. Timing belt at 88k. major tune up at 95k. Turnsignal switch at 112k. 23 to 25 mpg. Always minor electl malfunctions since day 1. Esp. interior & instrument lights.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Ford F-150
  By T Roach - June 29 - 12:23 am

  This is a great truck. I can comfortably seat five adults for all but the longest trips. I added chrome step pipes to improve the trucks lines and to make it easier for us shortys to get in. My wife loves driving it too. With the 5.4L, I average about 16 mpg in mixed driving. Best highway performance has been about 18 mpg. However, the comfort, towing and hauling capacity, and reliability offset the slightly lower fuel mileage.

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  Mileage betters window sticker - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By wharden - June 28 - 3:24 pm

  I own a 2010 FFH, and it is exactly as advertised and gets better than sticker mileage, your mileage may vary as the owner’s manual states. I do get better mileage on the highway than I do in town. I live in a small town with limited stop lights and signs so I ‘m sure this is the reason for that. I have had a best open road mileage for a trip of 50.2 mpg figured with fill up to verify the computer figures they were within 5% of each other. The return trip netted 45.7 mpg. I drove the vehicle on its first drive from Dallas Texas where I purchased it to my town in Oklahoma and the first ever mileage from 300+ miles driven was 44.7 mpg this was highway driving at speeds 65-70 mph

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  Enough is Enough - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Scammed - June 28 - 10:00 am

  For the first time in my life I am never going to buy another Ford product. The dealership at one point had my car for 2 straight weeks. They even broke the windshield!! The most recent problem was the fuel pump was replaced. The rear bearings/moldings/seat latch/front stabalizer bushings twice...Now from researching the Internet it seems as if the brakes are an issue. After typing this I am going out to take the wheels off! I am told in secret by a dealership source that the Focus is a major problem. If there were limited problems with the car I would think that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Only I think its closer to burnt toast.