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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  Research paid off - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Raider - December 26 - 9:53 am

  I was skeptical about purchasing a Ford in general. I reseached actual people reviews and local mechanics before I made my decision. Besides brake rotors and pads this vehicle is very worthy of its Editors Choice Award. I would advise converting to synthetic oil immediatly as to save $$$ in a big way. I have travelled through 16 different states and logged over 41k miles in less than 2.5yrs. I use this vehicle in NYC everyday yes NYC! Overall I cant say enough. Not 1 trip to the dealer yet. Take care of it and it will in return take care of you and your family safely.

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  Quality is NOT job 1 - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By RK in PA - December 26 - 5:56 am

  I bought my Eddie Bauer 4.6L Explorer new and have been the vehicles only owner. The engine is powerful. The vehicle is roomy, comfortable and stylish. However, reliability has been horrible. The 4X4 and transmission especially have been consistent problems. Ford has been unresponsive. Ford replaced the 4X4 transfer case to correct a defect, but only after being directed to do so by an arbitration board. The differential failed catastrophically after 45,000 miles, posing a safety hazard and necessitating a >$1000 repair. Ford took no responsibility. For a vehicle that cost $40,000, it has been a major disappointment.

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  I GOT A LEMON - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By frank defrank - December 25 - 10:00 am

  WHEN MY 2002 EXPLORER REACHED 30,000 MILES, THE FOLLOWING WENT WRONG WITHIN 6 MONTHS: 1) BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT TOOK 5 VISITS BEFORE THE PROBLEM OF NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS DETECTED. 2) THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. COULD NOT PUT TRUCK IN PARK. 3) BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. 4) REAR DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK. 5) PLASTIC ON REAR DOOR CRACKED TWICE FROM COLD WEATHER. 6) WHEEL VIBRATED AND HAD TO BE CORRECTED. ALL WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNDER "LEMON LAW"

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  used to like Ford - 2001 Ford Focus
  By hateafocus - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought factory certified at 13500. 1 wk later safety recall on engine cable. At 30000 the front brakes and rotors wore thru. My previous car went 150000 on rotors and brakes. I know how to drive and take care of a car. Had them replaced with heavy duty rotors. Even new brakes squeal like a pig. Part of the appeal, huh? During ice and snow the steering wheel will whip out of your hands when turning a curve. The next safety recall, the fuel pump. Causes surges, lags and hey, no power while going 50 mph. They fixed for free. The CD player has now died. After a fuel injection cleaning and tune up I do get 42 on highway, 28 in city, less with A/C.

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  Not Reliable - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By len - December 24 - 11:46 pm

  We got our car Christmas of 2004 and ever since then, weve been fixing it bit by bit. Right off the bat we had to have the CD player and trunk mechanism replaced. Also, noticed a problem with accelerating from a rolling stop. That was a computer problem they didnt end up fixing until Christmas 2005. Also, got a dash bubble. That was replaced. Then the reverse sensing and memory seats went out. Now theyve been replaced. We have had enough however Ford will not replace our car. It doesnt quite fall under the lemon laws and they wont do what is ethically right and give us a replacement. We dont know what next will go wrong with the car.

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  First Impressions - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Stew - December 24 - 3:31 pm

  Have owned this vehicle for 2 weeks. Took it on its first real road trip this weekend. Approximately 3 hours one way. The engine responds very well and gets up to speed quickly. Do to the quietness of the cabin and the smooth ride you may be going faster than you think. The electronics in the vehicle are way better than comparable cars in the class. A lot more bells and whistles for the value. We had owned a BMW X5 prior and looked at those prior to purchasing this car. We also checked out the Lexus and the Audis. For the price with all the options you can not beat this car. The interior materials a very nice and stylish. top notch leather, beautifully crafted and stitched. Instruments are well laid out and easy to see and understand. Heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats. Cargo space was a must for our family and the rear area with the seats folded down hold golf clubs length wise without an problem. The third row seats are fairly nice and in a pinch work well. They have better leg room than the competition. Cons: - Driver Seats - While they may look pretty, they are not the most comfortable for long drives as previously noted. One reviewer noted the seats were to contoured. I find just the opposite, I wish there was a little more bolsters and the side of the back and the seat. Along with that it has been noted the seat feels a little short. Not quite enough thigh support. If the seat tilted back and lifted the front edge a little more that might improve this. I also have a 14 Ford Raptor, and I wish they would have put those seats in this car. Dead Peddle - Or the location the left foot sits while driving. This is just plain weird to me. Im not sure what the engineers where thinking. There is a distinct lack of space if you try to stretch out your leg. I am not particularly tall at 510" and if it bothers me I know it will be an issue for someone taller. I found that I had to keep my left bent in a 90 degree angle for the ride in order to be comfortable. For 3 hours this was not that bad but I have the feeling that for longer trips it will become an even bigger issue. Overall, the car offers a lot for the money and the appointments are nice. Would the negatives be enough to prevent me from purchasing the car again? I dont think so. This car is my wifes and the seats fit her fine and she has no issue where the foot sits. I will either deal with the dead peddle issue or let her drive.

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  Focus SE 2003 4 door model - 2003 Ford Focus
  By gerd knaak - December 24 - 3:20 pm

  Reliable car, fun to drive with the Pirelli tires. Good handling, sluggish automatic transmission. Mileage in town not that great for a small car. Excellent 5 disk CD stereo. Should have more power for a 2 L engine.

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  Fabulous Flex - 2012 Ford Flex
  By Win Hollister - December 24 - 3:37 am

  We purchased a Flex in 2012 to meet the needs of traveling, towing boats and moving. The car performed admirably. Unfortunately, we recently had a severe accident at highway speeds which totaled our car. The air bags deployed properly and the interior was untouched. Engineering is excellent and we look to replace the car with another Flex!

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  08 Escape awd 4cy - 2008 Ford Escape
  By sjl - December 23 - 6:43 pm

  Ive had my Escape a few weeks now, love it, drove everything (rogue, outlander,outback,compass etc.), happy with my choice. Im getting about 24 mpg on hilly terrain, no hwy, with the AWD that I cant live without where I am. Replaced an Outback, this little suv is perfect. I love the camel interior, much nicer than the stone. The 4cy. is pretty nice after you get used to the tranny, it shifts funny until you develop a nack of driving it. There isnt a need for the 6cy. Never thought Id go back to a Ford but my husbands new Ford diesel is so nice that it made me take a look at the Escape, very glad I did. It is suprisingly roomy inside and the whole interior layout is very nice.

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  The Best SUV - 2005 Ford Escape
  By ALYSIA - December 23 - 5:26 pm

  This SUV handles great. The interior is nice and comfortable. Great car to take on a long trip. Excellent stereo system. It comes with an 8 inch amp and 6 cd changer and satellite ready. Back seats lay completely down for a large cargo area. All in all the best vehicle I have ever purchased.