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:

• 

  Good for a first truck - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By ii_jasons_ii - July 5 - 9:43 am

  Received this truck for my 16th birthday. Outside looks stylish but the inside is cramp and uncomfortable. I cant drive over 70mph because the cab starts to shake. Trade-in is low.

• 

  Tranny problems/Cracked lift gate - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By mlong30 - July 3 - 9:14 pm

  I have had my explorer for eight months. It has a cracked lift gate which is obviously a known problem and has to have the tranny replaced at 127k miles this is a known problem and Ford refuses to take care of it. Read consumer reviews befor buying

• 

  2006 Focus SES Wagon Automatic - Bought new, now 5 years old - 2006 Ford Focus
  By jmiller38 - July 3 - 11:00 am

  The first 2 years gave me very satisfactory service, and then things went from good to not so good. Had to have a new transmission around 34000 miles (under warranty). Headlights needed replacing at 3 years. Trim clips are lousy. Starter battery died needed new fuel line and now the alternator went out ($700). Bumper crumples and quite costly to repair. Plastic gears for the arm rest break easily. Costs $500 to replace. Have had all my service done on schedule by Ford and do get good mileage. Bought for safety considerations. My car has had more problems than my friends 2006 Focus hatchback. Im wondering when the brakes and/or exhaust will go. Considered contacting Ford directly.

• 

  Tranny Nightmare - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By demo_derby - July 2 - 8:36 am

  Flashing OD light and service engine soon come on at 62K miles while my son is driving to prom. Dealer makes us wait 4 days to get in the shop. They have it all day, never call, when I call them they ask to call back in a few minutes. They claim lots of transmission diagnostic codes (though when I pick up vehicle service engine light is still on and no sign that anyone tested anything). They want 4000 to replace transmission plus tell me I have a frozen caliper. I take care home, pull front wheels, caliper isnt frozen but metal on metal on inside of brakes (they checked 2K miles back and said no issue). Car still going with bad tranny for now, I replaced the brakes, no more Fords.

• 

  Not a Good Feeling About this Car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By maxie6 - July 1 - 12:37 pm

  Was not intending to buy this car but just want to test drive it. When dealer drop the sticker price by $700+ dollars I gave in. I like the overall outside appearance of the car. The backseat leg room is sufficient for a couple of 4 year olds and thats about it. The muffler had weld splatter and rust all over the one end facing the rear of the car (poor quality control and workmanship). The automatic transmission is real "quirky" at low speeds - like it doesnt know what gear it should be in. My gut feeling tells me that I may have "bought a pig in a poke" and I am going to be paying for that "Good Price" I got the car for.

• 

  Hate my Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By hatemyfiesta - June 22 - 3:52 am

  I have owned my Fiesta hatchback for 2 months now. The Sync system is a joke. The only part of it that works 50% of the time is syncing my Ipod. None of the voice commands listed in the owners manual work except the initial sync. The transmission jerks while shifting if Im driving below 30 miles per hour. I have 2,000 miles on my car and I have to take it into the dealer to have the software on 3 of the cars computers updated. I can only imagine what awaits me down the road regarding the computers. Gas milage is cut by 8 mpg unless I go through a long process to disengage the traction control every time I start the car.

• 

  Lots of issues....... - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By gamgirl31 - June 20 - 9:11 am

  I have had this car since September of 2005 and very disappointed. Many things have needed to be replaced including a new engine in 2007, alternator, coil springs, rotors (keep warping), front and rear suspension, miscellaneous hoses, belts, etc.

• 

  2011 Explorer problems - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By lj5 - June 17 - 9:59 pm

  I have brought the car in 3 times so far for "software update" because the clock cant keep time accurately. Today after a routine oil change( the first) I was told that I had a leak in some hose or part that would take TWO WEEKS to get because it is backordered. Very disappointed in this car.

• 

  Great until it hit 100k miles! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By chase2634 - June 9 - 5:34 pm

  Bought mine used in 2004 with around 30k miles. Aside from general maintenance this vehicle was great until it 100k miles. Wheel bearings, cracked rear panel out of the blue due to design flaw and now at 150k miles the transmission is on the way out. Just got the dreaded blinking over drive light and found out my new trans will cost about 2k.

• 

  Dont Waste Your Money! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By rubypussycat - June 9 - 3:38 pm

  I was excited to get my used car in 2003, but quickly regretted buying it a year later. I first thought it was the dealership because the seatbelt still needed to be fixed and they took out the spare tire when I recieved the car the same day. I have kept all the receipts and made an excel list of all the repairs and maintence I have done so far. So here it is: 3 starters, 1 alternator, ingition switch, cd player fixed (it kept shutting off by itself), 3 positive battery terminals and positve battery cable. My car is now at 100,858 miles because I have done most repairs by myself, but I DO NOT recommend anyone to buy this car. This is not typical for any vehicle!!