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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  Not bad. - 2007 Ford Focus
  By mojo31 - January 22 - 3:40 pm

  Ive had this car for a couple years now. As far as I understand, it was a fleet car. Likes: Being able to see over the hood, unlike many cars today. Dislikes: I cant speak for every Focus on the road, but in terms of mileage, mine turned out to be a lemon. When I first bought this car, I drove in town during my job. At that time, my focus got about 16 miles per gallon. On the highway, the best its ever done is 28 miles per gallon. Quite a ways off from the 25/35 I was told. Also, I dont know if it was the tires my car came with, but it is awful driving in the snow. I now put snow tires on the front during the winter. That is the only way its controllable.

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  Performance failing with increased mileage - 2006 Ford F-150
  By keno321 - January 19 - 4:09 am

  I purchased this truck with 17k miles. Great ride and performance and was well pleased. I always followed the service and maintenance recommendations, oil changes, rotations, filters etc. all done and on schedule. I travel a lot and am now at 140k miles and its falling apart. First the 4 wheel drive stop working and now the engine, transmission or fuel system has gone bad, truck flutters really awful when in overdrive, accelerating or simply trying to climb a hill on the interstate. Next the truck just stops going when coming to a coast of stop sign some times. It just falls into a idling state. The old saying that FORD is an acronym for "Fix Or Repair Daily" has come true for me.

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  Do Not Buy an Edge - 2012 Ford Edge
  By ginglis - January 18 - 7:40 pm

  I made a big mistake. I had the Edge back to the dealer within 4 days of delivery. The Turbo charge of the ecoboost makes the wheels spin if it is wet when you take off from a stop. The sync is a real problem. When it works, it is nice...when it works. The navigation screen will go blank all of a sudden or a note that says SD card is not detected will appear. Sometimes you cannot answer the phone because the car will suddenly lose the bluetooth. Using the radio tuning seek button on the wheel will not work. If it will allow you to change manually, 3 min. later the station will change again because it is catching up from B4.The dealer says it is my phone. I have had 2 different phones.

• 

  Exactly what I expected - 2011 Ford Escape
  By ml500owner - January 14 - 11:27 am

  I have the base model 2WD, 5 spd. manual. So far no problems. It has been excellent for going back and forth to work and some highway driving. It is comfortable to drive and has good power. I get 24.5 MPG in town according to the car computer and 23.5 when I calculate myself. Either way better than a lot of SUVs.

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  Take My Ford, Please - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By takemyexplorer - January 13 - 6:36 am

  Buyer Beware!!!! Ive never written a car review, but I felt compelled after purchasing my 2011 Ford Explorer. Let me start off by stating that I had leased 5 Explorers through my old job prior to purchasing my supposed new and improved 2011 Explorer. What a waste of time and money. Ive owned the car for less than 7 months and its already been in the shop 8 times. Lemon Laws do not apply because Ive had 5 different problems and did not have the same problem more than 4 times until I had already driven over 12,000 miles. Do not buy this car until they work out all of the "kinks."

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  Transmission cooler - 2008 Ford Escape
  By jackdk - January 12 - 11:23 am

  After doing tons of research on line about the trans cooler defect, I see this has happened to 100s if not 1000s of people that owned 2008 Escapes. I was told Ford did do some repairs on these cars that where built early 2008, and that the CSP (Customer Satisfaction Program) expired in August 2010. My Escape was built in Sept. 2007, which should have covered it. Ford sent a CSP #09B10 to owners for a replacement because of the know defect to the cooler. Since I didnt not own the vehicle until November 2010, I had no idea of the problem, and since the original owner never took it in, I have to pay the price. Called Ford Customer Care, and both them, and the Ford dealer acknowledge the defect, but would not cover it. Since there is no recall, and the CSP is over, I had to pay $644.41 out of my pocket. This is ridicules I am paying for a defect that Ford knows about. They both told me to hold on to my receipt in case there is a recall I can get reimbursed I think this is the last Ford I will own.... Fords GREAT idea of making the transmission cooler, and the A/C condenser all one piece. This adds a big price for the part. When your cooler needs changed the A/C Freon needs to be emptied, then fill again, which adds to the labor cost. Good thinking Ford! Even though this is connected to the drive train, and keeps your transmission from failing, its not a drive train part, and not cover cause its not internal. ...

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  Car lasted me long enough - 2005 Ford Taurus
  By a24dude - January 12 - 8:48 am

  I bought my 2005 Ford Taurus in 2007 used with 60,000 (got a good deal on it). No issues within the first year of having the car then the bottom fell out. Every year for the last 3 years I have had to completely replace all 4 tires (and I rotated them at each oil change at 3,000). Have had to replace the brakes on the car twice in the time I have had it. Along with other regular repairs. Now a couple of days ago, the car will start jerking while accelerating up to around 40 - 45 MPH, and it will also jerk really bad while backing up. On top of all of that the car was horrible on gas mileage. I am really close to getting a new car, because it has 140,000 miles on it.

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  Low power poor transmission - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By buddyboy59 - January 10 - 3:02 pm

  made the mistake of buying the 4cyl over the 6,the 4cyl is adequate for about town,but merging on to a freeway is a white knuckle experience,trans shifts hard from 1st to second,been to dealer,supposedly fixed,same problem,comfortable ride,handles well,rotors warped at 5600 miles,not overly impressed at this point.

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  edge sucks - 2011 Ford Edge
  By dk13 - January 9 - 8:54 pm

  we looked at a lot of suvs because of the bailouts we elimated gm and chrysler torn between the edge and santafee decided to stay american big mistake ford spent all ther money on gadgets and forgot to make the car quiet we were told it was close to the other one for mialage after 1400 miles lucky to get 22mpg went for the limited hoping for better ride and less noise that was a wast of 7k my 2001 yukon rides better and a lot quiter it has 171k on it and gets 18mpg my wife drives the ford if we travel i will take the yukon very upset with ford they dont even have a comment page on there website chickens the edge is nice looking junk dont waste your money buy hundai lots cheaper

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  Finally Got rid of my Expedition - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By iclayton - January 9 - 4:33 pm

  Today, i just traded in my Expedition for a Toyota Sequoia, and I feel great. The Ford Expedition is perhaps the worst vehicle I have knowledge of. I have never seen a vehicle that is so aesthetically beautiful, end up being a nightmare. Before unloading that money pit on a dealership, I replaced the transmission, 9 distributors, throttle position sensor, battery, rotors, and brakes. I bought the expedition in 2009!!! These are the remaining issues that i could not afford to fix and decided to trade it in. Front differential, rear differential, throttle body, catalytic converter, driver window motor, and rear brakes. But, no longer my problem. Buyer beware!!