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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  Bad transmission - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By Aleene Varnadoe - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Transmission went out without any warning. Ford Dealership wants $3067.00 to repair the damange. Too much money for a low milage car. I have taken very good care and serviced the car every 3000 miles. Dealership said something broke in the transmission.

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  Jekyll and Hyde car - 2016 Ford Transit Connect
  By Zack - May 9 - 7:50 pm

  Be prepared for abundant harrassment by warning lights, chimes (way too loud) and occasionally the horn. The windshield pillar reinforcements cause blind spots especially dangerous to impulsive pedestrians at crosswalks. The I.M. says not to run the wipers in dry conditions, but of course this happens accidentally on account of their bizarre stalk controls. The van lurches during braking, acceleration, and on right angle turns around town. In hot weather the dashboard turns into a huge, hot radiator. In foggy or rainy weather, when backing up it is necessary to turn the headlights off in order to see the tiny backup camera screen. The steering wheel interferes with seeing most of the instruments including the speedometer The exterior lights are rigged so that they can stay on indefinitely when you open and shut doors, as for a thorough cleaning, thus threatening to discharge the battery. On the + side, it has plenty of pep which is why I think it outsells the anemic Nissan 200 although the Nissan has a better, more business-like interior. Both brands have good seats using woven material. The Fords select shift worked well climbing 5500 feet up to Flagstaff, AZ at 70 mph. It kept going through the flooded streets of Tucson the rainy summer of 2017.

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  Got a Lemon but a nice truck otherwise - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Rob C - May 9 - 1:42 pm

  Bought a new 2015 XLT 2.7 ecoboost for a great deal. 42250 MSRP and with 7K discount and 7K rebate paid 28K for this truck! First new vehicle in 27 years. Unfortunately it spent 33 days in the shop out of the first 90 days of owning it. It shut the engine off while driving 3 times. Now after 3 repairs attempts it shifts irregularly now and then. Great design and most have no issues but this one was just not one of those without problems. Highway mileage is awesome, acceleration if really great. Roominess cant be beat and the camera spoils you. I did not like the 8 inch screen that only uses 2 of the 4 boxes if you dont have navigation and climate control, kind of a waste. Ford bought my truck back after the CA lemon lawyer took care of handling it. Decided to stay with used vs new.

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  Lemon they missed - 1995 Ford Contour
  By ray man - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Owned vehicle 3 months. The service interval was up did the maint. The trans filter is a JOKE.The speedo cable was snapped. On vacation, the timing "system" broke. Yes everything had to be replaced. Dealer noted this to be a common problem. The car was great for a month. Now it runs when it wants. It will run great, turn it off lucky if it will restart. Other hand, run like garbage and die when you pull out from a lite crank 20X it starts. (If it does)I dont trust my family in it any more. The dealer says "It seems perfectly fine to me, drove great" As we leave the lot, we almost get killed the great car died. $1400 parts replaced with no improvement. Its got to go.

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  Good Time - 1994 Ford Probe
  By Sylvester - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. Runs excellent especially after putting a 200 hp mazda engine in it (the way it should have been done in the first place). Great high reving V6, top notch canyon carver, gets really great gas milage, handles better than anything in its price range and insurance is cheap. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a sports car with an inexpensve price tag. Great car for younger inexperienced drivers. It understeers hard enough to keep you out of trouble, has phenomenal brakes and is fast enough to be really fun but not dangerous. P.S. -Always buy a 5 speed, the automatics are worthless.

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  Great Truck - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By KK - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck with 76,000 miles know it has 84,321 miles. It is a great truck the only problems I have had is the Master and Slave fails but owell I is great off-road even you know it has 4 cylinder. It is still is a powerful engine.

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  Please do not buy save your money - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Marg - May 8 - 10:35 pm

  Bought the car with 30,000 miles. Only good thing about it is gas. It has major transmission problems has been to dealership 5-6 for this issue only in 2yrs that I have owned it. Car stereo wouldnt go off no matter what I did, problems with the car horn and steering wheel locked up twice, once this last year took In to ford and again this year. The car has gear problems and they want $1600. Its not a safe car and expensive repair costs plus it doesnt drive good. Please dont fall for the looks, its totally not worthy it!!

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  Careful if you buy a manual 2005 ZX3 - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Jennifer Reidy - May 8 - 9:16 pm

  I bought this car, took it on vacation and on the way home, the brand new clutch burned out on a Saturday. On Monday I was told the part was on a national backorder. It would be weeks before it would be ready. I was 800 miles from home. My dealership was awesome. They got Ford to pull the part off the assembly line. The reimbursed me up to a $1000, but not for my missed time at work which cost me another $500. I love the car, but I will not buy another manual after this.

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  Delivers - A Ford this good? - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By premier1guy - May 8 - 8:53 pm

  Well, this IS a sweet car. I rides incredibly ... much like my past two Honda Accords. The GPS display is large, and the number of computerized features on this vehicles is staggering. It is HIGH TECH, really top end. I can voice control everything except the steering. My wife was predisposed against the FORD until she rode in/drove it. Im getting 39-50 mpg with a little hypermiling effort. Its a total winner ... IF ... it hold up and is reliable over time. Bottom line ... this is a GREAT car!

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  Mysticobra Convt. 2004 - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By MatthewICADC - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I am selling my 2001 GT and am now into a sweeeet Mystichrome packaged 04 Cobra Convt. This baby isnt just another pretty face either. (The paint does turn heads everywhere I go!) The SVT team did a wonderful job of improving performance, handling and reliability. The upgraded engine and suspension are truly magnificient! The 03s heads problem did not reappear in the 04. The rwhp seems improved from the 03 as well. Friends of mine with the 03 Cobra dynoed out @ 360-367 rwhp stock. The two 04s I have seen dynoed, including mine, were 375 & 377 rwhp stock. Needless to say, some mild mods are in the near future.