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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  2010 Edge Lemon - 2010 Ford Edge
  By William O. - September 13 - 2:00 am

  5 Hours after buying this, systems started failing. It has been in the shop for a full 32 days and 3 mornings. The sunroof rattles, tranny failed, brake rotors failed (2600 miles), GPS system failed (Media, Phone, Radio and Nav screens lock/glitch), Iphone is incompatible, seat loses memory, USB failed, and tire pressure sensors failed. I have been battling Ford to fix these problems, and now I am trying to get them to take it back. I had a meeting with a Cust serv rep and field engineer that was a choreographed farce. The engineer who decides if they take it back himself dropped the ball back in April. I have now filed for BBB and NYS AGs arbitration. I dont trust this vehicle. 5500 miles.

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  Car is a slug for geezers - 2006 Ford Taurus
  By Dave - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Im 65 but relating to cars Im 25. I dumped the car within Two months. I purchased a 2006 Subaru WRX. superb acceleration, AWD great traction superb handling great looks. Not a geezer car like Buicks and Cadillacs. Rock On! Dave

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  Interior design is terrible - 2010 Ford Taurus
  By John - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Who designed the interior? All glitz and looks, poor function and space usage. The front console and dash waste space. Several passengers commented how claustrophobic the front seat space is. HUGE blind spots particularly B-pillar. Buttons galore on center stack with no thought apparently to making them easy to find or use intuitively or without looking. Interior door handles are knuckle-breakers, front door opening has big bump-out along back edge that seems to ALWAYS catch a hip or arm on the way in or out. If seat is adjusted high enough for comfortable driving, its too high to get in and out without hitting my head on the roof edge. Cant tilt wheel out of the way easily either.

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  Fix or Repair Daily - 2009 Ford Edge
  By kimberly flynn - August 29 - 9:06 pm

  I have had nothing but problems w/my edge! I had all my wheels replaced w/in the first 9mos of having it, speakers went out, electrical problems, vent broke, ignition replaced, and now my rear differential it being replaced! I am fed up w/this vehicle and for some reason its not a lemon by my states law! I am upset w/Ford Motor Company and my dealer that I bought from! Im stuck in the middle of a terrible situation! Plus, My car has been in the Service shop 13 times equaling me to be their a total of 26 times! Tired of my car and I am really disappointed in this Ford that I have 2 fix on a regular basis! I truly dislike my days off now because I spend it in a waiting room for my car.

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  junk junk junk - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By HORRRIBLE FORRRD - August 27 - 8:58 pm

  We have had our van since 05. we have replaced transmission twice, rack, tires, brakes, now the passenger window motor is out which is the least of our problems, since our van will not go again, tranny shop apparently just doesnt want to deal with it, keep getting told to change this change that what a piece of crap. we are still making payments on it and havent been able to drive it since June with three kids and two jobs just to get by i have to drive my winter vehicle to make it work which is horrible on gas and who can AFFORD to keep replacing parts to get it right, everyone keeps saying its something else with tranny but dont have another 3000 to fix that again guess Im stuck

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  Transmissions - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Jackieg328 - August 25 - 6:10 pm

  This is the second Ford I have owned and I am very disappointed with the performance of the car as well as the service (or lack thereof) that was given to me at Webb Ford, Indiana. There was a recall on a valve that was on the trans. After that was "fixed", the trans broke down. I took it to Webb where they told me nothing was wrong with it. I asked another mechanic to look at it, he agreed w/ me. It took 16 days to repair & I now have a rebuilt trans in a car with less 7,000 miles on it. Has anyone else experienced these problems with the car or with Webb Ford?

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  Bad Transmission 2006 F150 - 2006 Ford F-150
  By at - August 21 - 9:06 pm

  At only 18 thousand miles and 3 months out of warranty, the transmission goes out on my 2006 F150 with a 6 cylinder-- Ford did not help with the $3000 transmission replacement either. The bad part is that it is slipping again-- I bought this new thinking it would last, I guess I should have kept my reliable 1988 GMC.

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  Big mistake - 2010 Ford Edge
  By Gwill - August 20 - 11:49 am

  Ride is extremely harsh and punishing. Ride is extremely rough and makes driving the vehicle painful and distracting. Takes the joy out of ownership. Plastic is dangerous if you accidentally knock your knee into it. Transmission cant find the right gears, takes a lot of strength to steer. Sorry I bought the vehicle, cant wait to get rid of it. Worse decision I ever made. If you have a back problem dont go near this vehicle.

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  Throttle Body Issues at 41,000 miles - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By lrm - August 16 - 8:03 pm

  ALERT ALERT-Do not buy a Ford Freestyle! FORD you need to recall this car to replace the throttle body in all models at FORDs expense. A $900 repair on a car this young and with such low milage is an engineering problem, not a normal repair. To make matters worse, I brought the car in while still under warranty with the same problem. Service charged me $148.00 to run the diagnostic test on the computer and said it needed a tweak. I now know why. FORD didnt want to pay for a new throttle body. After completing my research on this problem, I found dozens of others with same the problem. Shame on you FORD. Fixed Or Repaired Daily.

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  Freestyle..how about BAD Style - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Unhappy Ford Owner - August 13 - 2:57 pm

  Reading the reviews is very enlightening. We bought the car new after having good experiences with Ford Explorers. We have had the same problems as most other people. Multiple brake jobs, rotors replaced, new tires, alignment issues, then theres the transmission. Nothing but problems. Dealer worked on the transmission twice now, first replaced a part, then had to install a completely new transmission. Well guess what transmission is out again, no warranty, no recognition by Ford of their clearly substandard product. Car is sitting in the driveway, useless. Turned off from Ford forever. Way to go Ford, short term gain, lifetime loss.