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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  2012 Fusion SEL V6 Engine Failure - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By rjdoody - November 11 - 8:56 pm

  We have had to reprogram our transmission shortly after we got it do to very high revs before it would shift and now that we have 16K miles it has been to the dealer 2X the first was for rough idle and they said 2 plugs went bad they replaced it then 2 days later we sent it back for the same reason and they told us that the #6 cylinder and valve has gone bad and the engine will need to be replaced, i have lost all confidence I expected more from the ford engineers after I found out i am not alone. We only bought a Ford since they did not take bail out money, i should have kept my Toyota 200k miles with no problems on it, American still builds unreliable junk, i will never buy American again

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  recall on all ford 4 wheel drive - 2005 Ford F-150
  By donnys - November 10 - 5:55 pm

  Bought my ford f150 in 2007, it had 32000 miles. About 3 month later the 4 wheel drive went out, ya 5000 miles later. I called ford to find out what they would do for me. The customer service was very poor and rude. They wanted to charge me $100 to find out what is wrong with it, on top of what it would cost to fix it. I dont care about paying to have them fix it but to charge me an extra $100 just to find out whats wrong, come on now. After I just payed $30,000 for a truck 3 months early. Toyota doesnt pull that. I like the truck but, the 4 wheel drive has big problems, and customer service suck!!! Going back to Toyota.

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  Note to all the poor souls who own the 2.0 SPI variant. - 2001 Ford Focus
  By pc1967 - October 28 - 6:26 pm

  As the title states if you own the 2.0 SPI SOHC aka (2.0 split port) variant. Sell this car immediately its a literal time bomb. Possibly the worst engine design by Ford ever. No matter how you baby that engine expect the valve seats to fly directly into the cylinder head anytime after 70K miles. The minimum cost to fix is actually almost as much as the cars valuation. Even if you catch it prior to damage its a very costly fix and one that could have been avoided by Ford if the had made a slight design variation to the 2.0 SPI. Symptoms of failing valve seats include. Engine chatter Running rough or stalling in idle A #2 or #4 cylinder misfire code Avoid the Focus VIN P at all costs

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  Dont buy - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By mattm93 - October 22 - 7:55 pm

  nothing but problems with this truck, I am a fan of Ford still but this truck has its problems and is in the shop a lot so not so reliable

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  Couldnt Wait to Get Rid of It - 2012 Ford Focus
  By justaguy6 - October 20 - 10:04 pm

  This car was nothing but problems. Owned it for 5 months and had it in the shop with transmission issues 3 times and the screen console went blank on 2 occasions for 1 week intervals. Overall, I really wanted to buy American and thought that this would be the car that would keep me buying American. What a mistake! Have traded it in for a Hyundai - took the loss and couldnt be happier.

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  Failed engine - 2007 Ford Edge
  By micktoll - October 19 - 5:14 pm

  My 2007 Ford Edge just had a major engine failue with 91K miles. I was driving on a major roadway when I began to hear a tapping noise. Before I could take action the engine icon appeared in the dash. Whithin minutes the engine stopped and I was fortunate to have been able to pull off the road. Bottom line: engine failure. Vehicle always properly maintained all fluid levels correct. Ford refuses to offer any assistance. New engine $7000 plus! This is after spending $1100 on a "common" transmission problem 6 months ago!

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  ecotec 1 bg problem - 2012 Ford F-150
  By raives72 - October 17 - 8:56 pm

  I have a new 2012 platmun ecotec. Beautiful truck , DANGEROUS motor loses power with no warning , terible gas mileage, several complaints on same problem , my dealer states they have never heard of these problems , Mine is not only one having these problems , google ecotec it will shock u . my truck has a grand total 3600 miles, and i have almost been killed in it twice trying to pass, truck just lost power had another car passing behind me i could not even drop back and had to take left shoulder to avoid collision !!!!!!!!!!!! BEWARE almost forgot when talking on blue tooyh with gps in use have to go to hand unit to talk do to eccoing very bad to person talking!!!

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  Love It! - 1996 Ford Escort
  By chuckshane - October 9 - 6:12 pm

  My green Ford Escort has been a great car to me. It has never broke down in the year and a half i have owned it. I bought it 1-owner w/92k miles for 1200$. It now has over 108, still runs just as good. VERRRY slow car..VERY. the 5 speed transmission is sloppy, not a very roomy car either but the seats are comfortable. Gas milage is OUTSTANDING on this car.

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  Major Problem that needs to be recalled - Throttle body - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By jschmidt122 - October 3 - 10:19 am

  There is a major issue with the 2005 Ford Expedition. I was driving down the road going 50 mph and received a check electronic throttle message on the dash and the engine stopped and so did the power steering and brakes. I was in the left lane of a two lane road and nearly got in an accident. I took it to Ford and they replaced the throttle body for nearly $700. Ive checked online and there are hundreds and hundreds of people with the same issue. [non-permissible content removed].

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  The Great Disappointment - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By shutupnrock8 - September 30 - 7:14 pm

  Im not one to sugar coat a review, so Ill get right to the point and the reasoning behind the title of my review. I have been an owner of a 2012 Ford Fusion SE for about 5 months now, and needless to say I have very strong mixed feelings about it. Being the first sedan I was going to own, previously owning a 2000 Chrysler Voyager, I wanted a new roomy, sleek, and fuel efficient sedan in which I was pleased at first with the Fusion. After driving for awhile, Ive noticed that Ive been going to the pump almost twice as much as my Chrysler. I have done two extensive tests to find out my Fusion is only getting a combined 15.5 MPG. This on top of other nagging issues is making me very unhappy.