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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  More modern, versatile explorer - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By xeon - April 1 - 6:51 pm

  Explorer is now a tech lovers car, I find more things in it than all of the others combined. The ride quality is comfortable and you really dont feel like you are driving a big vehicle. Ive always driven toyota/honda my life and this is the first time with Ford (or any American)Was in the market for a larger SUV. Wanted to check out Edge because I liked ints interior. After looking, we were talking about how cool it would be to have a car like toyota highlander with the interior of ford edge. Funny we found explorer the next day, its exactly that!

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  outstanding vehicle - 2006 Ford Taurus
  By collin_mcrae - March 31 - 3:44 am

  ive bought my ford taurus used with only 40,000 miles on it, it now has 74,000 miles on it and is still running strong ive no problems, just natural wear and tear on the brake pads and rotors, i drive it daily and handles very well on the freeway! it handles poorly in the snow, but other then that i have no issues with my transmission failing and have had it reqularly service every 3,000 miles. great car!

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  All around good car - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By robert172 - March 30 - 8:27 pm

  This car has everything a person could want for under $25,000. I dont understand why the 3.0 engine is considered to be "down on power" considering it goes 0 to 60 in just over 7 seconds. The 3.0 engine is just what is needed to avoid an engine that is noisy and underpowered, but easier on gas than the 3.5 engine.

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  Reliable and Comfortable - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By missnpoppy - March 30 - 1:04 pm

  This has been my favorite car. I bought it in 05 with 80k miles on it. I have more than doubled those miles. I have taken it on numerous long trips including a driving vacation last summer from Washington state to lower California and back last summer. I get roughly 26 mpg highway. It is more comfortable than my parents newer Toyota Camry. I drive it hard on highway and rural unpaved country roads. This is one car that Im going to miss when it finally gives up. I agree with the alignment issues which if you dont take care of regularly will wear out tires. I also have to replace brakes quite often. Other than that just routine maintenance. I definitely will stick with Taurus.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 2009 Ford Escape
  By jolietjake - March 30 - 12:57 pm

  My 2009 Ford Escape has been plagued with transmission issues for a year and a half now. I experience shift flares, hard and harsh shifting, and even times when it cant shift out of first gear. It will also frequently slam into gear when going from P to D or R, causing the entire car to shack violently until banging into gear. After the TSB updates, i get much worse gas milage and the tranny issues have increased. Now i get hesitation in acceleration when coasting or yielding and pressing the accelerator. Its extremely dangerous when making a left hand turn and the car is unresponsive for a few seconds. I have almost had 5 accidents due to this. This car is extremely unsafe.

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  good in formula bad in practice - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By tompnoid - March 29 - 11:09 am

  Ford has built a truck with all wheel drive to help with horse power and grip when riding on wet roads awesome right?? no... a great idea in a lab isnt always practical in real life mine has 89k on it and needs a new transmission i went to a shop the other day and asked a guy about price said i have a 2002 ford explorer he goes wait look over there see all those boxes those are transmissions for 2002 ford explorers. you cannot build a full time 4 wheel drive vehicle that is this heavy and have only a 4.0 l v6 powerplant. this would of been a great vehicle with better gas milage and no trannsmission issues had they only put in a button to let u disengage the 4 wheel drive.

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  In shop for the 3rd time since mid February. 2500 miles - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By cessna100 - March 28 - 8:40 pm

  This is a follow on to the computer network problem. The week after the "soldered job" on the network wiring the cooling fan on left side of radiator makes a grinding noise as it spins down. Had to wait for new fan, on back order. Told its OK to drive. 2 days later the fan locks-up and is very close to catching on fire. Smell the wiring starting to cook. They replaced the fan and 2 weeks later the replacement is having the same problem. This time they recommended I leave the car till its fixed. Amazing. Anyone else having the cooling fan or network problem??

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  Sonic Blue GT - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By tj38 - March 28 - 9:44 am

  Bought this car in June 05 with 12k miles. Now has 115K miles. Mildly modded with CAI, exhaust, short shifter, MACH1 shocks, Ford C-Springs, white face gauges. Only repairs are front brake calipers (self-inflicted SCCA racing casualty) and alternator and battery...and four sets of tires. Consistently gets 25-26 mpg on highway. I want to get a new car but cant find anything that I like better than this one.

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  Big problem with manual transmission - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By mike18040 - March 28 - 7:54 am

  The previous review I wrote about problems with the manual transmission have been resolved. Ever since I got the car back from the dealer it drives fine. They did not replace the entire transmission, but said that something in the transmission was not machined correctly at the plant and had a small lip on it, causing the shifting problem. They replaced the part and so far, so good. Overall, great car for the money.

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  Not so great a Buy - 2011 Ford Taurus
  By dans10 - March 27 - 11:18 pm

  While many on here seem to have gotten a decent car, mine has not been that good. I purchased the car and had to schedule a service visit within 4 hours, car has a vibration and shimmy at highway speeds and considerable more noticeable in curve. Ford has had this car in there shop longer then I have had it in my garage. Its in now for its second visit for the same issue with the local dealer here trying to push it out the door with no fix for the issue. The lines on the car are good, however a crooked installation on the windshield detracts. I am considering going down the lemon law route with this car at this point and wouldnt recommend this car to others.... PASS ON THIS ONE