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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  Ford Fiesta with UNSAFE transmission problems - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Ernest - October 16 - 3:24 pm

  These cars seem to have transmission problems that haunt the car and the dealers do not have a solution. Our fiesta has had this problem for 2 years. I will also shut off on the road leaving you unsafely trapped in traffic. The dealer still cant fix it. All the recalls have been done. Its on its third engine computer (PCM), and its been in the dealers garage for months on end! Even now its been there for 2 weeks since it just is too unsafe to drive on the freeway. We have had problems from everything from doors closing, to the entertainment system mic breaking. I have a 91 Toyota pickup that has been more reliable than this car. UPDATE: transmission quit, dealer did ANOTHER rebuild on it. Now its messing up again, gotta keep taking it in until the warranty runs out. Im so done with Ford automobiles!!

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  The worst car Ive ever had - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By pikepaul22 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used and had nothing but issues. Issues like 3 transmissions in three months. This car was absolutely pathetic, and I will never buy another Ford after this horrible experience.

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  Worse transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Joe - October 2 - 11:39 am

  Transmission on it is so poor if you rely on a car as much as I do you would probably stay away from this one . I was lucky I was not far from home . I was driving down the road and the transmission started slipping . I got home and had no reverse gear at all . That car left me completely stranded . Who ever`s idea of the Power Shift 6- speed transmission was , was not much of a contributor to strategic Air Power like General Curtis E. Lemay . As soon as the space weather confirms its okay launch , call in an SLBM strike from a Ballistic Missile Submarine on a Ford Focus Power Shift 6 speed transmission facility from SSBN734 . I would never want to drink the same water as [non-permissible content removed] over at the Ford Motor Company drinks . When I got my 2014 Ford Focus back , I noticed a splash guard missing from under the front of the car .

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  Ford Loser - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By FordLoser - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Dont by a Ford unless you have DEEP POCKETS! The repairs on Ford vehilcles will suck your wallet DRY! Headgasket, Timing Gasket,Main Engine Bearings, Brakes, Speedometer, ALL DEFECTIVE! OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES!And no more than 100,000 miles. Ford "customer service" is well versed in "Im sorry but, we wont help you"

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  NEVER BUY THIS THING - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By M DAWG - September 1 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE WORST VAN IN THE WHOLE WORLD, IT HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS AND I CANT EVEN NAME THEM ALL.AT 50,000 I HAVE HAD A NEW ENGINE REPLACED ALREADY. THATS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS. PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND DONT GET THS SO CALLED WINDSTAR. YOU WILL SPEND SO MUCH MONEY MANTIANING THIS THING THAT YOU CAN BUY YOURSELF ANOTHER VAN.

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  Good - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Jay Santasiero - August 25 - 8:48 pm

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  Terrible transmission & warranty - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Kyle - August 23 - 5:16 pm

  I bought a 2014 Ford fusion, with 33,000 miles on it. Less then a week owning it & the transmission started slipping while accelerating & slamming into reverse. Took it to a Ford dealer & I was told it needed a new transmission. Instead of replacing it though, they replaced parts in it for 2 months.. Which never solved the problem. Ford kept calling & saying it was fixed, but when we would test drive it, the SAME PROBLEMS existed. Ford direct was of no help. After 2 months of Ford having my car, they finally replaced the transmission, but the slipping between gears STILL exists. The warranty on these cars is a joke.. Ford had replaced numerous parts to no avail, had engineering involved to no avail, and finally had a regional technician drive the car & order a new transmission. Dont buy a Ford. The time, the hassle, the inconvenience was NOT worth it. No one at Ford took responsibility for the delay and even said "weve never seen it take this long for repairs before.." but STILL took even longer. Completely incompetent company. The Ford regional service lady even got involved after 2 weeks, and promised to speed things along & keep me informed but again- she had no information, no solutions & the problem was still prolonged.

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  If the explorer dont work, how do you e - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By danielle0623 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  things fall apart on my car every day it makes me mad.

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  i hate this car so much, NEVER buy - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By johnsmith@aol.com - August 9 - 2:00 am

  o gosh, ford. there ya go, that explains it. Where do i start? i have had SSOO many problems with this car. The TRANNY, electrical problems, lights burn out constantly, stalling of engine, overheating of engine, tranny fell out, trucks space limited, poor sound system, 1 wheel came off driving at 55 mph, not good pick up, is that enough to turn you away from this car? trust me dont buy one. It has spent weeks in the shop. its a peice of crap. dont put your money down the drain!

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  POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By STEVE - August 4 - 8:53 am

  HORRIBLE ROAD NOISE. GETTING LESS THAN 10 MILES PER GALLON FUEL ECONOMY. OVERALL A VERY POOR VEHICLE TO OWN. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE USING THE NEW BODY STYLE TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE IS FIXED, BUT IN ALL ACTUALITY THE VEHICLE IS MORE POORLY MADE NOW THAN IT WAS BACK WITH THE 2000 BODY STYLE.