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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  3rd PCM Failure within 10K miles, under 100K - 2012 Ford Focus
  By John - April 11 - 9:08 pm

  Okay let me begin with this: I have written a previous review, but I lost my login, so I am back with a vengeance this time. As the title states, since my original post titled "Im losing my job and livelihood over this thing!!!" it has had 2 more PCM failures. The first time, I DID lose my job. The boss was clear. "If you cant come to work Ill just have to replace you." Well at least he was cordial about it and gave me a good reference to a similar company. So two weeks after the initial failure, I was back to work. Just somewhere else doing the same thing. There was the 2nd PCM failure about 4 months afterwards. Same conditions: Car wont start. Either the PCM doesnt believe the transmission is in neutral and therefore safe to start the engine, or it cannot get the transmission into neutral. Had it towed to dealership. Only payed towing fee. Ford covered the repair. Now, only 2 months from that failure, the car is in my driveway with its 3rd PCM failure. SAME. CONDITIONS. People, this is multiple failure of a critical part of the car that has failed on me 3 times in less than 10,000 miles. Im doing everything I can on my end to keep its maintenance up. I drive it reasonably, take good care of it, and it fails on me. Fails... fails... fails... There is no other explanation besides it is a flawed design, and Fords response and actions are futile. See all of these good reviews on here? I cant explain them. There are millions of unhappy, stranded and possibly unemployed people all because they bought this car with a horrible transmission. I cant blame them or berate them in any way. I mean, its a nice car, but it has this one MAJOR FLAW that can be a serious inconvenience at best, and life-threatening at worst. Google it. Spend a couple of hours researching every review you can find. Find a way to contact authors of positive reviews and ask them is their transmission still operating properly. For the third time in one year, my car is literally being described with an old Ford-bashing acronym, and I dont think I need to say which one. Please for love of whatever... DO NOT buy one of these things, used or new. Fords Powershift transmission is prone to random failures despite operating reliably up to the point of said failure.

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  Wasted $3000 - 1992 Ford Thunderbird
  By Joan1805 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove it for 1.5 years. Now it is dead. - transmission ($1000?) - antifreeze gets into engine and exhaust($1000?) - catalytic converter broke and makes an awful noise (buzz), ($260?) - starter was replaced ($90) - alternator was replaced ($300?) - battery was replaced - blinker lights are burnt. - interior: ceiling is decomposing and dropping something black onto seats, door handle has come off, power windows dont open, cracks on the dash board from the sun, all plastic parts are barely hanging, glove compartment is not closing or locking anymore. -exterior: paint came off on the roof. I am amazed. The car seemed to be so good when I bought it. :(

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  Ford Explorer Nightmare - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Drking7777 - March 31 - 7:42 am

  Been. Ford guy all my life but with this purchased have experienced the worse Ford has to offer. Dealership was not the issue ford and ford quality and customer service set a new low that I did not expect. Three weeks after purchase blind spot and cross traffic indicators began to fail, this lead to nag aviation failure, A/C failure, front windows stopped working, seat adjustments failed, seat memory failed, seat massage ceased working in very uncomfortable position, defrost may be on with no way to turn off, and tire pressure alerts (tires were fine). Purchased last Saturday in March 2016 and by July 13 it was in the shop more than I had it ( 16 weeks of ownership - I drove it 5 weeks with no problems and 1 week with the dealership researching the problem and the remaining 10 week is was in the shop. Ford refused to replace. Dealership remove, seats, carpets, headliner, replace modules, engine harness, and still had problems. After taking a new car apart and putting it back together unknown times and a Ford engineer coming twice to work on it - I was then told it was now fixed - it is no longer a new vehicle, it has accelerated depreciation due to all the mechanical issues and I can no longer trust it for what it was purchased for. Ford response is they fixed it - not thier problem. Buyers beware.

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  Unreliable junk low quality build - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Dpforfun2014@gmail.com - March 29 - 10:53 pm

  This car has been a headache. 6 recalls. Leather seats prematurely worn. I had 38k miles on it. Warranty is a joke. Multiple trips to dealer for transmission issues. Motor doesnt get mpg. Ford was sued for that. Things dont line up on parts on the interior so garbage build quality. The sync info system is a total glitchy and slow garbage screen to have to use. The auto unlock function with key fob doesnt work consistently or it keeps relocking the door as your open it. Another glitchy garbage feature. My last ford. 2nd fusion Ive owned and both had major issues. My wife used to love fords. Not anymore. Update 8 11 17 All the same issues as above. Except that knocking in reverse coming from the car. Very nice. 51k miles.

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  Should have bought the Oddesy! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Markos - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought the vehicle pre-owned after we found out we were having twins. Did research, safety was great I didnt expect the vehicle to be so awful. Replaced PC Module after 3 months, tranny after 9 months. Have numerous electrical problems, doesnt start on cold days. What a mistake I should have spent the extra money for the Honda. Called Ford Motor Co., and they dont seem to give a hoot. Pretty bad when I work in the car industry myself as a sales consultant. Cant wait for the Saturn Mini-Van in 2005 model year.

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  WORST TRUCK EVER - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By Mrp - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst truck Ive ever owned. Bought a used 1996 XL in 1998. I have had many problems ever since. Many electrical problems. I have been stranded roadside twice. Do not buy one

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  Not worth 2 cents and that is a lot - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By kwaitier@gmail.com - February 24 - 7:26 pm

  Would not recommend this car for anyone. It is a hazard and the dealership that I went to does not have any answers to the problems I have had and been there way too many times and the last time i just realized they (Ford) was never going to do anything about it.

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  faulty transmission - 2005 Ford F-150
  By John - February 21 - 12:16 pm

  This is my second F150 Super Cab 4x4 King Ranch. The first one I really liked a lot, but this one has what I consider to be serious transmission problems. There is a very hard downshift at lower speeds accompanied by a very noticeable "clanking" noise. I am being told by Ford that this is "normal" for F150 series for the period 2000 through 2005. I simply refuse to buy that kind of excuse for not wanting to make the necessary repairs. My 2003 same model type NEVER had that problem. Road handing is poor, in my view. The ride is very noisy. The engine is sluggish at times.

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  Remember the song "Ode to My Car"... - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By Niqo - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Dont get one of these. You will end up spending all your money on repairing it every other month. Everytime you get something fixed, something else breaks. Its not worth it. Its not a good car.

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  Dont buy a 2016 Explorer - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By CaliMom - January 31 - 5:10 pm

  I love the smooth and controlled ride of the Explorer but that is the end of my praise. I have owned this SUV for over a year and Im so terribly disappointed. This vehicle is lacking in comfort and reliable electronics. The seat length of both front buckets and 2nd row bench are short, cramped and just all-around uncomfortable. Legroom is non-existant. I have 3 kids and a tall husband and this SUV is way too small for us. The 3rd row is tiny and hard to access. Cargo space is nice but robs the car from much needed leg room. The entire vehicle is just designed narrow and cramped. There is so little room that my purse ends up on the cargo mats daily, covered in dirty shoes. And the electronics... I often refer to my car as having a mind of its own because the horn randomly beeps at me for no reason (much to my teenage daughters extreme mortification). The cargo hatch/door on back also refuses to close on occasion for no reason... and sometimes closes on my head while loading groceries. And... after one year, the door lock has broken on the passenger side, one of the backseat seat belts completely shattered just from tilting the seat forward, and the poorly placed and cheap USB port covers have broken off. Really??? Come on Ford. You can do better.