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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  Not safe. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Clarissa M. - August 3 - 5:30 am

  My grandparents bought the car when it first came out in 2012 so that it would have miles on it by the time I got my license. Before I had inherited the car, they had taken it in for faulty transmission problems (gets caught in 2nd gear, hesitation when accelerating etc) three times with no fix, just a resetting of the computer for it to go back to the same way it was in three days or less. I got it in August of last year, had some jerking after a full stop, rolls back in drive at some stops. I took it into Ford in October, no fix. Now, my heater and defroster have gone out completely, in the mornings if its foggy, I have ask for a ride to school & work. It has been having trouble starting, Ive had to try four times to even get it to start a couple days ago. I am barely pushing 30,000 miles, there is no reason why there should be this many problems with the car, especially it being only 5 years old. This car is not safe to drive. I definitely expected more from a Ford. I can say that I am very disappointed and very hesitant and scared to drive the less than an mile I have between school and home everyday.

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  Too much money for this truck - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By JIm - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Only owned it for 2 Months Had problems with ford and the dealership. Noone wants to take responsibility for the truck. Value dropped by $8,000.00 in two months

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  crappola - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By romulus - June 8 - 10:00 am

  in shop 4 times in first two months

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  Clutch - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Darlene Herald - June 3 - 6:42 pm

  From the moment I purchased this car (which is an automatic) there was a shuddering when you stopped at a red light or stop sign and accelerated after the stop. When I finally called in August 2015 after I told them what the car was doing it took me two months to get in to have them diagnose the problem because as I was told this was a problem with this model. Once I got it looked at in October 2015 I was told it was the clutch as they had suspected. They returned the car to me and I was told 4 to 6 weeks to get the part in. In middle to late December 2015 I called to see if the part was in and NO. I was number 30 on the list (so there are 30 cars before mine that are waiting on this part) Called in late January 2016 to see about the part and NO part for my car yet I am number 23 on the list. In the meantime I continue to drive this car which shudders and sputters every time I drive it wondering if this is going to be the time that it will shudder and sputter until it dies and I am left stranded. Call a 1-800-392-3673 number I was told to contact to see why I cantt get this part for my car. This is a KNOWN problem with this car. Google it and you will be amazed at the problems they have with this car. I cant believe Ford isnt manufacturing this part faster than this so this can be repaired and that they continue to sell this car (Its just not with this model year. If you go online it with this model in general). This is the first Ford I have ever purchased and you can count on it that it will be the last. Customer service by Ford in manufacturing the part and getting out to the dealership (at least the dealership I am dealing with keeps telling me they are getting about 3 parts per week from Ford) so these repairs can be made is terrible. I am truly disappointed that I purchased this car.

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  \ - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Lynda - May 9 - 10:00 am

  The 2000 Ford Windstar was my first new car.. always bought used before..The worst purchase of my life!! It has been in for 12 recalls, cruise control stopped working at 30,000.. Transmission "surges" and dealer says its normal..sure... Ive spent more time in the dealership waiting for my car that all of my other used car purchases before! Ford is the worst company.. I used to have Oldsmobiles before and was treated like a queen.. Ford sees that I dont drive a Lincoln, so too bad for me.. Going to trade my Windstar in for a Reliable non-Ford auto!!I tell everyone I meet to not buy a Ford...

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  Found on road dead - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Charles wilson - April 10 - 11:47 pm

  This car has a terrible transmission issue shuddering and total failure as a car. Ours had been in the shop 6 times all due to issues of some kind in the transmission at least 2 times per each item

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  Well Done - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Bernie - April 10 - 4:51 am

  Solid truck. Surprised by price vs quality. Went to get a Dodge Ram. Upset at first. Fuel economy is great. Plenty of get up. Would not put a plow on it.

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  Regret Buying it!!!! - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By SIX - April 7 - 10:00 am

  The good looks of this car make it a big seller. Thats what suckered me into it. Two years later: Every piece of plastic on the interior rattles, all a/c vents are broke, the transmission shutters on take off and "pops" when downshifting. But I am told by Ford and their little computer that this is normal and nothing is wrong with the car. But I wonder why it did not do that the first few months. The car also holds NO VALUE... Which is making it difficult to trade. From my experience with this car I will never buy another Mustang, possibly not even another Ford.

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  on GTs GT Convertible - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By by GT - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I picked this car in October of 05 after waiting 4.5 months for delivery. It was worth the wait. Ford hit not just a home run but a grand slam. Exceptionally powerful and comfortable cruiser. The world seems a better place when you are cruising in this future collectible with the top down. All of 65-69 Mustang styling cues in one package!

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  Dont but anything ford made after 2012 - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Alex - March 29 - 9:30 am

  I drive 2013 focus SE and I had been driving it for a about 40,000 miles on it even though the transmission was making noise crank and shudder I figured I will just keep driving it and disregarding the noise as long as it drives but now it is at 59,xxx miles and when i got underneath to do an oil change i noticed transmission leaking. Called dealer and they cannot cover any repairs since the car has branded title. Now im stuck with this car that needs lot of time and money to get a repair. Worst of all is that this is a common issue for years 2012-2015 and even after repair people been saying they keep failing after short periods of time. Will never buy another ford and would like to warn anyone from buying these mechanically poorly designed vehicles.