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:

• 

  Would not recommend! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Christina - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Focus for 5 years. I bought it w/over 50,000 miles on it. W/in 45 days the engine blew. It makes a loud rattling sound, it shakes, the brakes always squeak & the front passenger seat belt has never worked. Its a very small car inside very uncomfortable to drive. For being such a small car, it doesn’t get good mileage. The engine now has about 100,000 miles on it & the vehicle has about 172,000 miles. It has lasted me a long time for being a “Ford” but I have also had to put a lot of money into it for various things. It now needs a new Cadillac converter & water bottle. It would make an ok car for someone w/o children. But is not recommended for a tall person.

• 

  The Fusion Horrible - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By joy316 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Cheap Cheap Cheap. Filled with plastic. Horrible Ride-you feel every crack in the road. Many, many blind spots. 20 mpg. Seats hard and uncomfortable. 2nd worse car Ive ever had (1st was a Taurus)

• 

  Definitely a lemon - 2007 Ford Freestyle
  By MichD - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have to say that I have been very disappointed in this car.We had to replace the brakes and tires within 30,000 miles.Shortly after that we had a throttle body malfunction.Very expensive to fix.We just paid it off early, and it is falling apart. 55,000 miles and the mechanic just fixed the power steering problem, and told us that we need to fix both sides of Wheel bearings.$500 more. We also just found out that we need a new water pump. Another $500. Mechanic said that the transmission is about to go. Dealer said that it was strange to have so many problems for such a new car. No solution. No recalls yet. Dont buy this car unless you have thousands to throw away.

• 

  I Used To Praise It - 2001 Ford Focus
  By bonnilass - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Im now 60 years old. This car had 50k miles on it and was 4 y/o when I got it. Everything that could go wrong on this car has gone wrong twice in the 5 years Ive had it (now 118k)and again I am facing motor mounts, a timing belt, a new head gasket the shifter came off at the base, the suspension trashed, CV joints, cooling system problems, numerous strange rattles, and the stereo pops out on the right side when I accelerate so its taped into place. The wind whistles through every crack, and conversation in the cabin is not fun. Its a MONEY PIT $$$$ that knows no bounds, at least $1500 per year on the average. Unfortunately most of it hits all at once. Im saddened by its performance.

• 

  Multiple Problems - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By minivanmom - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 04 freestar used in Oct 09 with 54k miles. Within 3 weeks of having it, the traction control light went on -- it goes on and off at will, mostly it is on all the time. This last summer, the AC went out. Had to get a new AC compressor for $600 dollars ... it was changed and the AC only worked in the front of the van, just blew hot air in the back. Mechanic tried to find the problem and changed the orifice tube, which was full of debris ... still no ac in the back. He said that there is likely debris throughout the entire system and would need an entire overhaul to repair the ac in the back. This weekend the transmission failed and it will cost $2500 to repair. DO NOT BUY ONE

• 

  Fusion JUNK - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Fusion Junk - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Had transmission troubles from day one. Ford gave me the runaround for 6 weeks until I sold it. Never buy a Ford product again!

• 

  2005 F150 Supercrew Lariat - 2005 Ford F-150
  By jgt1959 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this pickup for 5 years now and there always seems to be something wrong with it. The air conditioner will not cool in stop and go traffic- only at highway speeds. Ford says there is no problem. The ashtray quit closing, now the CD player in the radio quit working and will not even eject the CDs that are in the machine. Injectors have had to be replaced at less than 70,000. It came with the worst tires I have ever owned and at 70,000 has almost worn out the second set (of high quality, 60,000 mile tires) even with rotation and alignment (which the dealer cant do due to the 20 inch factory rims). This is my fourth Ford PU and the build quality has definitely gone downhill.

• 

  Water in trans twice - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By tiger - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Title says it all new tires at 22,000 miles water in trans at 28,000 miles ign coil out at 29,500 oh water in trans again at 34,850 miles now sitting there till I get 2800 bucks and Im on disability so 5 years I get it fixed bad on gas to hope another Katrina doesnt come

• 

  Bad transmission - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Mike Bridges - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy ford freestyle. The transmission will go out. Our transmission went out and it is going to cost 3,000 to 5,000 dollars to fix.

• 

  Do not buy! - 2010 Ford Escape
  By rollysoc - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought March 2010. A month later developed chirping noise when accelerating from a stop. Ford said part of the AWD sensing system, could/ would not be fixed. In July, began to have starting problems (wouldnt turn over then would), took to dealer and they couldnt recreate trouble. 8/16/10 Wouldnt start and then did. Called dealer scheduled to bring in on 8/17/10. 8/17/10 It wouldnt start, towed to dealer. Reported to be a Process Control Unit (the brain). Picked up from dealer on 9/7/10 and on 9/9/10 it wouldnt start again. Towed to dealer again. 9/16/10 Traded in and bought another car, NOT a Ford. Dealer was great willing to work with me, Ford wouldnt. Found On Road Dead, so true.