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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  Engine replaced at 109,000 - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jim Olive - October 26 - 6:30 pm

  The ecoboost is not perfected yet. Very nice ride for comfort.

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  Poor - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Adam - October 24 - 2:40 pm

  Lots of problems with Ford these days, sensors issues, cam phasers, and got solenoid problems.

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  Transmission problems headed your way - 2014 Ford Focus
  By 1jadedtroll@comcast.net - October 17 - 6:40 pm

  I bought the car brand new and after 7400 miles I am having transmissions issues. It shudders bad and has issues trying to climb hills. Fuel economy is around 30 miles.

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  Unusable Parking Brake - 2015 Ford Explorer
  By Richard Mondy - October 17 - 12:48 am

  Bought a 2015 Ford Explorer for my wife. She is small 4-10" age mid-fifties so we got the Limited model for its adjustable brake and gas pedals. Problem is the parking brake is so hard to push she cannot set it with her left foot. She pushed the brake so hard to set with her right foot that it has made her right knee sore. Local Ford dealer says he cannot fix the problem because the brake would not hold if it were made easier to push. I find it hard to believe that Ford engineers are so incompetent they cannot design a parking brake that is usable by a small lady. Local service manage says just do not use the parking brake. I wonder if he cleared that advice with the national highway safety Board?

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  To be honest.... - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Damion - October 16 - 8:27 pm

  Okay what youve read about everyone elses experience with this car is basically accurate. Ive had my focus for about 4 months and Im beginning to experience all these transmission problems. Hesitation, spuddering, slow acceleration. Fortunate for however is that I had manufacturers warranty, but that doesnt make me happy knowing that this isnt going to be the first in going to have transmission failure... So to sum it all up id recommend waiting for a newer model that will be more effiecnt than the 2014 sedan.

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  Excellent ride and features..but moisture in lamps - 2015 Ford Edge
  By Vito Keburis - October 15 - 8:29 pm

  First I have a 2015 SEL 3.5L (which is not listed) I traded my 2013 for the 2015. The ride felt better, looked better and handled better. 2 weeks after I bought it I noticed after it rained, there was moisture in the rear center reflector and tail lamp lenses. It went away after a couple days. I washed it in a touchless car wash and the moisture reappeared. Willowbrook Ford agreed that there was an issue, they took pictures and emailed them to Ford. Ford authorized replacing the rear lamps and center reflector. After Willowbrook Ford repaired my Edge they washed it and I picked it up. When I got home I noticed moisture in rear tail lamp lenses again. I will update this review.....

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  Stuck on 3 for air and heat. - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By Cindy - October 13 - 7:23 pm

  When the air/heat knob is on 1 or 2 no air flow, only on 3 is when it works

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  Cramped left foot - 2015 Ford Taurus
  By Left leg - October 13 - 4:07 pm

  Left foot very uncomfortable. No space for someone 6 foot. Make sure you are aware of this during the test drive. Now Im stuck and cant stretch my left leg.

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  Not impressed - 2015 Ford Fiesta
  By lholzem@gmail.com - October 9 - 10:05 pm

  I drove a rental ford fiesta for a month after my 2004 Camry was declared a total loss. The first thing I noticed was the lack of power and poor transmission. The shift button on the automatic transmission seemed like a cool idea but it was hard to use and irradic. I used to drive a Honda Fit with paddle shifters, Hondas design is much better. My second big complaint is the turning radius is terrible. The car is approximately 2 feet shorter than my Camry, yet I could not make U turns that would have been easy in my Camry. The car also felt cheap and the radio/Aux input were not intuitive. Gas mileage was decent and its easy to park in the city. The ride is sort of jerky, similar to the Honda Fit. For me the compact size is the biggest plus. If I were looking for a car this size, I would not even consider the fiesta though, check out the Honda fit or smallest Prius.

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  Air conditioned seat - NO! Frozen butt - YES - 2015 Ford Expedition
  By Andy Newitt - October 3 - 7:59 am

  This is my 3rd Expedition and my second with air conditioned seats, well supposedly AC seats. My previous one cooled your back along with your bottom and it was heavenly during the hot Florida summers. This new one only cools your bottom and does nothing for your back, both front seats are this way. In fact if you leave it on longer thinking that it will eventually get the back cold, it gets way too cold on the bottom, never reaches your back and you have to turn it off because it gets so uncomfortable. I have complained to Ford and had it back to the dealer twice but they are telling me that the "seats are functioning as designed." I say it is a design failure then! I didnt pay for AC seats just to get my butt frozen. EXTREAMLY disappointed in this 2105 design flaw.