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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  Home run caught at the warning track!!! - 2015 Ford Focus
  By vmaro44@gmail.com - June 18 - 3:14 pm

  This car is a huge disappointment. I have owned 9 different NEW Ford vehicles and I am 43 years old. I have had problems with only 1 until now. the previous one Ford stepped up to the plate and fixed. This one they will not. The transmission issues on my wifes 2015 Ford Focus is an abomination. Even my kids who are preoccupied with their phones in the car notice how bad it is! It will shudder, vibrate and shake the whole car when accelerating from a stop and from first to second gear. It feels like it is going to fall out of the car. I have had it in for service 3 times and the first time they reprogrammed the PCM (powertrain control module). It actually got worse. The second time they said it was normal because it was a manual transmission that is shifted automatically. What? I am fairly certain that when we purchased the vehicle it was marketed as a 6-speed AUTOMATIC!!! False advertising! Ford also states that the transmission technology is to better fuel efficiency. I also do not remember signing any papers stating that ride quality and safety will be compromised for fuel efficiency. I will be pursuing the lemon law if it is not remedied soon.

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  This car is dangerous - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Lonnie - May 26 - 12:02 am

  I dont even know where to start. I have owned 31 vehicles in my lifetime, and undoubtedly this is --BY FAR -- the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Its been a nightmare from day one, and I have had it nearly 5 months now. Most importantly is how unsafe this car is. On 3 different occasions, and one of them being on a highway, this car just died, went into neutral while I was going along in the drive gear. It did not stall out, but just lost all power as if it were in neutral. I was lucky enough all times where I was able to turn off to the side of the road. Had I been in the center, or left lane on the highway, I could have been KILLED. It was as though the tranny went. All gears were neutral. I turned it off and waited a while, then restarted it. All 3 times the service engine light went on after restarting it. The gears worked again after the restart, but the car ran terrible after these incidents. Of course after the first occurrence, I brought it back to the dealer. They said it was some emission computer glitch or something and that it was okay now. It was okay for a few weeks then did the same exact thing. Now the dealer had it for 4 days. They pretty much said the same thing after changing out some emission parts, putting in brand new oil, filer, and a cat.... converter. That was good for a few months when the same thing happened again just a few blocks from my home. Right now its in my driveway. I would NEVER sell this to anyone. I would never even think of putting someone else in this danger. Right now I have a complaint in with the MVD, and I want the dealer to take this car back, because I will NOT go for number 4 breakdown, and risk my life in this travesty of a car. I implore everyone. Do not buy this car. I would not wish this 4 wheeled nightmare on my worst enemy. Even without those 3 harrowing events, this tranny was never right. Just shakes, vibrates, shutters, bangs and slips going up a steep incline. The radio is actually a joke. Its more like a toy radio for a little kid. Youd have to be within a mile of a radio station to pick any real clear signal. Also I noticed at night the headlights would dim way down for no reason, then brighten again ! The power door locks are now not working, and you have to turn the ignition switch fully 3 or 4 times before the starter catches. This car has worn me down totally. I will not drive it, not let anyone else drive it. It has to go back to the dealer, or the nearest salvage yard. Ford should be ashamed of themselves for this modern day Edsel. I would bet that the Edsel was probably a better car. By the way if I did not mention, it was a low mileage 2013 Hatchback. 21,000 miles when I bought it with a limited warranty that was another joke. Just do yourself the biggest favor you ever can, Stay FAR AWAY from this shameful mess. Dont even look at photos of it.

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  Worst vehicle Ive ever owned - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By 6CF - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Required new engine with only 66,000 miles, and replaced head gasket for $1200 just one month prior -- big waste. Cost to repair more than value of vehicle! By the way I changed the oil every 5000 miles. Dont buy a Ford!

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  Stay away from a Taurus - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By junktaurus - April 14 - 2:00 am

  One transmission/another one going bad. Only 107k on this car. Radiator/water pump/2 window wiper motors. This car is junk! Ride is rough, lots of road noise. Engine sounds awful.

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  it sucks - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By me2999999999 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  run away from this vehicle

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  Take this car off the market - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By emmy - April 4 - 3:00 am

  I searched for months for my first car, and when I was shown the Ford Taurus LX I thought it was perfect. Was I ever wrong, my car is in the shop atleast twice a month, each time costing me hundreds of dollars in repairs. I have had to replace almost everything in it, and it is completely unreliable. Do not buy this car!

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  Engine shuts off on hwy at random. - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Nate - March 22 - 2:46 am

  Taking to the dealer to get resolved multiple times they say its fixed and end up giving the vehicle back,shuts down multiple times on the highway.Almost causing multiple life threatening accidents.

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  I use to like ford till i got a lemon - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Brad fraley - March 14 - 5:18 am

  The powerstrokes are what they use to be. Mine has 100,000 miles On it and has left me on the side of the road more than once and has cost me $20,000 in repairs This will be the last ford i own. If your smart you will think about a dodge. I know I am....

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  stuck everywhere - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By peter G. - March 4 - 2:00 am

  This "truck" come stock with a +2" lift and 16" wheels with big tires,but no matter where I go Its stuck! Little snow on the road? forget it. Pull off the road? huh! problems include, door pin sensor, the dome light hasnt shut off in 3 years even after sevice,Serive engine light comes on every other fill up,Ball joint ,brakes,tires quit running one day last year in the rain took two weeks to fix,rear "anti" locks,lock up if the roads are wet,emergency brake locks if truck sits for more than a day,drive shaft and u joints replaced at 30k tranny slips at begining of every gear,front stabilizer and bushings replaced at 26k

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  2011 Ford Escape sever rust issuers & repair bills - 2011 Ford Escape
  By Izaak - March 3 - 7:14 pm

  I bought this 2011 Ford Escape brand new one owner , this vehicle has rusted out under the vehicle , gas tank rusted and wheel wells, and tire rims, muffler, drive shalf basically I need a new car. I still,have 5 payments left owing on this vehicle. It will Cost 3600.00 and they were afraid when they start taking it apart I would have more expense , I was told to take it trade it in, start over. My opinion this vehicle should of had a recall on it. Ford has seen a lot of this and it would cost them a lot to do a recall . I paid 30.000.00 dollars and basically said to me go buy another one, this vehicle is no longer worth putting money in to fixing it. My air condition went out , and water gets in the door front passenger and they told me that is normal keeps it from flooding their new design. My vehicle is sitting in Fords shop , and I have to sit and wait for them to keep passing the buck and fiqure what to do because their protocol want let them go over their managers head. Their manager that they contacted has declined their letters, and pictures. Refuse to pay for their mistakes, all reviews I am reading on rust issuers , Ford should stand behind their product and support their customers. I am out of a vehicle at this point, paid 30.000.00 dollars for a vehicle to last me 5 years . Mark Fields President of Ford, and Phil Perry executive , you can not get in touch with them. I was told to write them a letter. Really we all know how that will go. As if the president is going to take the time to read millions of letters everyday. Managers at the dealer shops have been very supported to me, trying, calling, sending pictures . They have a protocal they have to go by. Its up to me now to go out and report this so no one else gets burn like I did. I was very hurt and disappointed in Ford not excepting the dealerships managers letters 2 letters and pictures, and they would not even give me a reason why. Just no help in repairing this rust problem. They wouldnt give me a explanation or a reason. 30.000.00 6 year vehicle load hard work paying it back and couldnt even give me a call or a explanation . Talk about hurt, frustrated, upset disappointed I was shock. Dealer ship manger at Ford was shock as well. Safety of gas running out of my vehicle and smell on inside due to rust put my family in danger when driving.