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:
Showing 291 through 300 of 30,482.00-
Not what I expected - 2008 Ford Fusion
By dmw82 - August 24 - 7:11 pmWhen I saw this car come out in 2006, it stole my heart! Traded in my 2007 ford focus for a 2008 fusion. The first three years of having the car was great. By the fourth year things started going on the car. The leather was ripping and noticed harsh shiffting. Come to find out there is a problem with the valve body which is inside the transmission. Then my ac went in the car. Had to replace the air temperature sensor, evaporator core, and heater core. In Florida you cant be without ac. Total cost was $1600.00. Now looking for a diffferent car and it wont be a ford. Thats why they nicknamed Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily)!
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Broke all the time - 1998 Ford Escort
By rose313 - August 23 - 3:53 pmI bought this Escort, my first car, with 55k miles on it and drove it until the transmission went at 210k miles. Every month from the time I bought it, it was in the shop. I had to replace everything, some things twice, such as the muffler and exhaust. I replaced the e-brake, shocks, struts, fuel injection system, intake valve, just about everything in this car. I loved it because it was my first car and the fact that it was so roomy, I loved having so much space in the back. I used to see these on the road all the time, but now I hardly ever see one, Im guessing its because they all fell apart.
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Ecoboost performance issues - 2011 Ford F-150
By philm6 - August 14 - 10:55 pmEcoboost provides excellent performance when it runs right. One year later and multiple trips to the dealership to remedy an intermittent power loss and missing on hard acceleration. Gas mileage has been a disappointment. 17 highway and nowhere near the 21 advertised. Plenty of power to tow my classic car and enclosed trailer, but I avoid towing. Cant stand the 5 to 6 mpg when towing. My last service at the dealership was for the 30k service. Found out later I got stiffed for a $200 trans service they never did. When I followed up with the standard customer survey and gave an honest rating I got a nasty text message from technician.
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Dont buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2008 Ford Escape
By ch6 - August 12 - 8:29 pmI was so excited to buy my second Ford Escape, first one was a 2001 that I drove forever. I bought my 2008 Escape 18 months ago and at less than 90,000 miles needed a new transmission. Guess what?? The new transmission Ford put in doesnt work either!!!! I also need $3,000 additional dollars to put into including a new air conditioner, oil pan and the ABS sensor needs fixed. The word around town when you talk to transmission mechanics is that the 2007, 2008 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are bad news! Others who work at Ford plants say the Escape is called a parts car, aka they make it knowing that parts are going to need to be repaired quickly If you have this problem please call Ford
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DONT BUY FORD - 2005 Ford Taurus
By kimberly18 - August 2 - 9:26 pmI have had nothing but trouble with this car since day 1!!! The paint is peeling off all over the car, forever replacing the brakes, the gauges dont work and to top it all off TRANSMUTATION went out !!! My car only has 80000 miles go figure.............ford seen me coming!! I would not recommend anyone to purchase a ford vehicle they DO NOT stand behind there vehicles. There have been too many complaints about the tarus alone and they will do nothing about them!!! I was on my way to my mothers radiation and the car just died no sign of nothing just wont go the cars engine runs but the car wont go!! To have it fixed its going to cost more then the value of the vehicle............
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Two weeks old and already water damage - 2013 Ford Explorer
By ces42 - August 1 - 10:17 pmI must admit, I really love this car. This is my third new car purchase. My last car was a 2005 Honda CRV, and the 2013 Explorer is a great upgrade providing plenty of space for my family. However, after owning the car for only two weeks, following a heavy rain, I was hearing what sounded like water sloshing around in the car doors and dashboard. I also discoverd that the carpet underneath the driver door was saturated. I took the car back to the dealer today and was told its unusual to happen in a new car, and that I must have parked it under a tree to cause a clog?!? In any event, after indicating it was fixed, its not. I dont know if this is a model defect, or just my bad luck.
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What is up with these windows? This will be my last - 2010 Ford Expedition
By ksimon1115 - July 27 - 6:45 pmThis is my 3rd and most expensive expedition. I bought a Limited edition with almost every option available. One thing that had frustrated me with the Expedition is the power windows. Forget these lemons opening during the winter. None of them open when the weather is cold. Now, in the middle of summer, my passenger side window has failed. A week later, my driver side window has failed. Im looking at over $700 in repairs on power windows that continue to work on every other model car in the world! This, on a $55,000 car less than 2 years old. Ford could use their celebrated profits and hire an engineer who can design a power window that actually works! My last Expedtion.
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02 GT convertible Good & Bad.... For 2012 - 2002 Ford Mustang
By flashycarluv - July 26 - 10:37 amive had the car for almost 2 years and have had 3 engines in it., Driver window fail, fuel pump failed, CD player failed and the transmission has small leak. i love the car& dont really plan on ever selling. but its not recommended for a daily driver, its not very reliable but its 10+ years old. But for a fun top down weekend warrior its great. and its idea for customization. I know more than 10 people with the same style mustang GT, and they have problems too, but still love them. if you buy one I recommend having $2-3k set aside for future repairs. MPG isnt great either I average 15MPG combined... But it works for me because I only drive the car maybe once a month.
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2 time transmission victim - 2003 Ford Explorer
By wjohnstone74 - July 24 - 1:17 pmI owned this truck for 4 years. In that time it blew two transmissions, all the wheel bearings, two sets of brakes all around, broke a rear spring, cracked rear hatch plastic, seized steering column, two doors that would not close in cold weather, a door that would not lock, a blown coil probably other things too. One of the worst cars I have ever known, reliability wise. I did really enjoy driving it, engine was a fuel pig but really smooth. 4wd worked ok, it was basically full time, but only with rear wheel slippage. I tried to get help from Ford when the second tranny blew, but nope. So to heck with them, I own all Japanese now (Ridgeline and Lexus) and they are nearly flawless
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My Limited saga continues - 2012 Ford Taurus
By jan56 - July 24 - 11:31 amFirst of all let me say that I love the car itself and were it problem free, I would love it that much more. I picked up my vehicle on March 17, 2012, as of 7/18 it is at the dealer for the 3rd time with the same problem and a new one. All the warning bells go off and I have no tachometer, no speedometer, no air, and all the warning lights are rotating and flashing, then the blind spot fault light and front end collision lights stay on. Replaced computer, fixed a lose connection, still happening. Now on 7/18 it also wouldnt start for a while. Not really sure how to gauge the value or the performance cause as of right now, been without it for a total of 4 weeks.Not a happy consumer.
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