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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  Not what I expected - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By pnoyes - March 12 - 11:18 pm

  I bought my fusion new, while trading in my 05 F150 for it to obtain better fuel economy. The biggest thing i cant stand about the car is winter driving. The traction isnt as good as any other front wheel drive cars ive drove, and the windshield wipers rest below where the defrost blows on the windshield (causing them to freeze over when not in action). The 2.3L engine is very underpowered, and doesnt really get the gas mileage that it suppose to. The last problem I have with this car is that the whole "best resale value" is a lie. I cant get out of the fusion into a truck again, even after paying on it for 3 years. All that aside, I have racked up 48k with no major problems.

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  Worst Ford SUV - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By bad2006ford - February 26 - 11:31 am

  In May 2006 I purchased a 2006 Ford Explorer brand new with only 56 miles. Two years into the owning the suv I had to replaced the tires with a new set. The sensor belt broke on one of the tires and the tire pressure light in the suv wouldnt go off. Then I began to experience problems with shift it was stuck in park as the recall letter describe the problems I had already experienced. Then my trans- mission went out. I paid to have the trans- mission replaced. Six months later the radiator and the motor went out. I contacted FORD, I towed my suv to the nearest dealer-ship where I left it for a year because I refuse to pay for repairs and Ford refuse to take liability for my suv.

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  First AND Last Ford - 2008 Ford Escape
  By onthehwy - February 25 - 11:17 pm

  This was my first in last Ford. In the three years that I have had this SUV, the air vent fell off, the front window squeaks when let down (it was supposedly fixed), had 3 new batteries, a transmission cooler, and now my transmission has gone bad. Im sorry but all this should NOT happen within 3 years of owning a new car. Im going back to Toyota!

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  Lemon!...Electrical Troubles... - 2010 Ford Focus
  By frustrated84 - February 8 - 10:34 pm

  This is the 1st car Ive purchased and believe me,I will never buy another Ford.The car was great for the first year,then started having electrical troubles.This only happened on cold mornings and would go away after a minute or up to 15 minutes but the radio wouldnt work,the signal light indicators in the car didnt work,no backlighting came on,the doors didnt lock automatically,the tire pressure monitor light came on,and the e-brake light stayed on after being disengaged.The dealership has been unable to diagnose or fix the problem.Already had a new instrument cluster,radio,and smart junction box installed...rental car for 45 days. In the process of getting Ford to buy the car back.

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  problems with transmission, traction control - 2007 Ford Edge
  By ziffercom - February 1 - 12:13 pm

  I bought mine 9 months ago with 40,000 miles. It has been to the dealer three times for transmission fluid leaks and twice for apparently random activation of traction control while drving about 60 mph and causing sudden deceleration -- not a good thing on an interstate! Two dealers could not recreate the traction control issue and told me to take it home. Looking to trade it in.

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  A Compromise - 1995 Ford Aspire
  By yeahcapes - January 30 - 3:35 pm

  I drive a 95 automatic Aspire with about 180K on it. I agree that the car is fairly reliable, always started with no problem until it was about -5 degrees outside. Doesnt accelerate well at all, but gets me where I need to be. Gas mileage is excellent, until you need to turn the heat or AC on, then it just drops. However, the car is not at all comfortable, I drive friends around a lot and its always cramped. Leaks in the door let air in everywhere, and I spend the whole ride wiping frost off the INSIDE of the windshield. Back defrost is a joke. In the cold the speedometer slides right to 110. Honestly, I hate driving the car, but I do think some of it might be my own personal Aspire.

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  The Biggest Nightmare I Have Ever Faced - 2008 Ford Escape
  By ken1053 - January 28 - 10:32 pm

  This car was a really nice car to drive around, especially having a workplace full of BMWs and Audis. I liked the comfort of the cloth seats and the interior design. One thing I absolutely hated is the reliability. My car is only 2 years old (I bought it in 10/08) and it is the most unreliable thing I ever faced. The car shifts very roughly into gear and the car lurches itself forward. Im not sure if its something to do with the gas or with the transmission coolant recall... I absolutely hate that car now. It cant keep the value and if you did get into an accident with this car (airbags deployed) you will not like the fact that it is 10x more of a bumpier ride. I regret getting this car..

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  Problems Every 10k Miles - 2006 Ford F-150
  By hdjock - January 21 - 11:34 am

  I bought my truck brand new in 2006 and right at every 10k miles up to my 70k mile mark I have had problems of every kind. If it wasnt the window controls on the driver side it was the CatCon going out and running me almost $2500. My truck has been good as far as getting from place to place but gas mileage is horrible, it used to get 450 miles to a 26 gal tank, now it barely gets 300 so be prepared for that. This is not a truck used for work or any kind of off-roading. The other thing that I cant stand is how the 4x4 works. You have to put it into nuetral to switch the 4x4 in, then you have to put it into drive then nuetral then reverse and then back into drive for it to kick in.

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  Transmission Gone - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By ashley7979 - January 13 - 4:00 pm

  After 1,700 miles, my (automatic) transmission went out. I really picked a winner! lol

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  Great at first, Then just plain aggervating. - 2009 Ford Flex
  By big_d1 - January 12 - 7:39 pm

  Tons of room, decent power and very comfy. With about 100 miles the Sync system stopped working 4 trips back to the dealer until figured out. 8K The Rack & Pinion went bad and the car spent 3 days in the shop getting repaired. 10K terrible odor from under the dash (dealer couldnt replicate). 14K SMOKE from under the dash, took it straight to the dealer "we saw the smoke but couldnt find a problem" 16.5K Car lost all electrical power (incl PS/PB) with my wife driving So she pulled to the side of the road and it got towed to the dealer. If they tell me there is nothing wrong, Im getting a Venza.