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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  PIECE OF JUNK - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By BOOG-BOOG - April 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE HANDLES LIKE A WAGON. IVE HAD IT FOR A VERY SHORT TIME BUT I AM TRADING IT FOR ANOTHER TAHOE

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  Before you buy a ford focus -Please consider this - 2014 Ford Focus
  By sonydigitalphotographer - April 20 - 11:43 am

  I bought my Ford Focus New in 2014 In a short period of time there was issues with shuttering in my transmission. I then had the trunk pop up 14 or 15 times a week while driving Its been almost a year since I bought it and it still has issues. The transmission acts the same and the trunk keeps popping open. Ive had it to the garage numerous times. Fords warranty in my opinion is worthless. It seems like the Ford Mechanics favorite phrase is "can not duplicate" this enables them to avoid a lemon law and not repair the vehicle Ford extended my warranty to 75,000 But I have to pay them $100.00 each time I take it in, even with the same issues that they could not fix I would never buy a Ford Ever Again I WILL TRADE IT OFF THE 1ST CHANCE I GET, EVEN IF I TAKE A LOSS ON IT. Consider this when buying a Ford !

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  Im never buying a Ford again!! - 2013 Ford Focus
  By NTK - April 17 - 9:43 pm

  My 2013 Ford Focus has been in the shop numerous times for the transmission shuddering, which is NOT normal no matter what Ford says. A car should not sound or feel like this when driving normally. Now its in the shop for a broken steering column, which broke 1970 miles after the 36000 warranty, and Ford refused to pay for it or acknowledge that it is a faulty steering mechanism. Now there is another recall for the door latch which opens while driving. Great! This car is the worse car Ive ever had. Ive owned it for 3 years and it has been more work, hassle and headache than my mothers Subaru of the same year, and my 2003 Suzuki, which was not the greatest car, but it was only in the shop once! Now the Suzuki is looking so much better, I should have never turned it in for this terrible Ford Focus!!!

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  First American Car out of 16 So Far - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By asdfasd - February 15 - 10:00 am

  The car is slow, falling apart, blown trans, (replaced under warranty) looks okay but interior is bad. Will never buy a Mustang again!!!! I will stick to Nissan, Mazda, or any German car!!!

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  Horrible transmission issues - little support - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Unsatisfied - February 11 - 3:19 pm

  Let me preface this review by saying we have purchased a lot of Ford vehicles in the past 15 years. This, without a doubt, will be our last. The 2014 Ford Focus dual clutch transmission is nothing short of abysmal. We have replaced the clutch 3 times already and the cars is not even 2 years old. This is not due to harsh driving, weather conditions or lack of regular maintenance. We take great care in maintaining all of our vehicles. The clutches last approximately 5000 miles before the horrible vibrating/shuddering starts again. When changing gears at low speed, the car violently jerks and is difficult to control. We have reached out to Ford Customer Care many times and the only solution they offer is to cover all clutch replacements up to 50,000 miles. How about recalling these defective transmissions and stop putting peoples lives at risk? I plan on selling this car long before the 50,000 mile warranty is up and buying a Toyota or Honda instead. Very disappointing Ford, very disappointing indeed.

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  Just wait until you warranty is over - 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Natalie - January 10 - 8:01 pm

  Car was great until 36000 miles! Since then its been a huge money pit- battery and electronics randomly stop working which caused it to be undrivable and dangerous (250), airbag sensor goes off which cost 600 to fix and now the abs is out so that will be another 1400- all in the last 2 months! I will never buy another ford.

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  To loud - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Dont buy ford - December 18 - 8:46 pm

  The first things buyers should know about the 2012 hatchback at least, is that the upholstery material is not water or stain resistant. I live in Florida where it rains a lot, and the water stains from getting caught in a down pour are unforgiving. The interior of my car looks like it has giraffe spots. There isnt an upholstery cleaner out there that has removed these stains. What the heck was ford thinking!! Due to the close confines of the interior, the engine noise sounds extremely loud and it makes the car vibrate to much when sitting in park. This might be a nice, first car for a high school graduate to bump around in (its a step up from a golf cart) but for mature drivers like myself who want a peaceful, quieter ride, Big mistake!

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  Never Again - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Samantha Johnson - December 2 - 8:25 pm

  This car has been nothing but trouble. For years I have been Japanese car owner and I made a colossal mistake by buying Amercian. The transmission shudders, lunges, and loses power. It is dNgerous and I have taken it a number of time to the dealership for repair only to be told "it falls within Ford specs". Its dangerous to drive, the engine is unpredictable.

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Rob - November 22 - 9:27 pm

  Drove off the lot with vibration. Dealer said normal even though its obviously not. Bought an angle finder and found 4.5 degree working angle for transaxle-to-driveshaft and .5 degree working angle at pinion-to-driveshaft. Working angles should be 1 degree at least or youll wear out u-joints. Working angles should be within 1 degree or youll have vibration. While trying to get that fixed, 5.0 engine developed a tick at idle and a clacking sound in the passenger side valvetrain. All of this and I have 2,200 miles on a brand new truck. Dealer today argued it all drives and sounds normal, of course. Run as fast as you can from the F-150. They are not what they used to be. In fact, this is my third new Ford since 2013 and theyve been nothing but headaches. 28 years of driving Fords since age 16. Today, done with Ford for good. Their cars are junk now.

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  Never Again a Ford - 2017 Ford Escape
  By Leo - November 16 - 7:50 am

  Stay Away! It broke down completely, no lights, no engine no nothing with a grand total of less than 15oo miles on it. The first payment isnt even due and I have to get it towed to the dealer. Ford Road side Assistance-- Ive been waiting for them for almost three hours.