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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  If it wasnt for the horrible windshield.. - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Jeff Crouch - October 20 - 10:36 am

  I just finished mediation with BBB about a ghosting issue and Ford basically said it isnt their problem since the windshield isnt under warranty. And a defect isnt their problem. Check out my post in FocusFanatics. Under the MK3 thread. You will also read up on many issues that enthusiasts like myself have been shoveled. The only thing Ford does is has a tech go on and say that theyll escalate the issue. Which is a joke. Ford has just lost me as a new car customer. My wife had better luck with her 2014 Fiat 500L built in Bosnia. If it wasnt fr the windshield issue and the horrible exerience with Ford, Id love this car. Oh and beware. Ford will close your case in customer service without notifying you. I had to call to find this out. Im looking into filing a lawsuit and hoping to find more with the same issue.

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  Absolute Underachiever - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Nick - October 3 - 5:15 pm

  The 2012 Ford Focus is the Detroit Lions of cars. Unreliable, ugly, underachieving, and sad. Funnily enough, theyre both from Detroit and the two most stressful and irritating parts of my life. Most of the Ford Focus issues stem from the problematic Automatic-Manual Dual-Clutch transmission. The purpose of this transmission was to increase MPG, which it does, but at a ver large cost. The transmission causes the car to constantly jerk, shudder, and roll backwards on hills. Personally, this isnt even close t the worst part about my Focus. My Focus decides when to start. Yep, you heard that right, it decides. Sometimes it takes me 10-12 turns of the key to start the damn thing. This is caused by the TCM (Transmission Control Module) which is the little computer inside the car that controls the gears. This little computer will often not register that my car is in park, and wont let me turn it on. Not only is this very problematic, but will probably end up with shelling out handfuls of cash to the dealership. Another cool driving "feature" is that the car will occasionally get stuck at 4000-6000 rpm and wont let you accelerate past 25 mph. this is incredibly terrifying when it happens, but I guess is part of the 2012 Ford Focus experience (tm). The Focus also has the most poorly designed interior that I have seen in my entire life. The cloth that the seats are made out of stains when touched by water. You know, just that substance that covers over 70% of the Earth and falls from the gosh darn sky. Another issue is that the auxiliary port makes its home in the glovebox. This leaves you with two options. Drive around with the glovebox open like a goober, or subject your aux cord to heavy strain and eventual breakage. While we are on the topic of phone related things, there is nowhere to put your phone in the car. This car was made in 2012, everyone and their mothers own phones. Overall, the interior feels incredibly cheap and uncomfortable. Honestly, all you really need is a car that takes you from point A to point B, and this thing cant even do that. At least being a Lions fan doesnt cost 8,000+ dollars.

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  1 Thing in Common with 2012 & earlier Ford Escape - 2011 Ford Escape
  By Sue - August 9 - 7:53 pm

  I want a pre-owned mid sized SUV and the Ford Escape came highly recommended. I dont like the look of the newer midsize SUVs or crossovers or hatchbacks. I prefer the more boxy look. Ive done test drives & love the Escapes. Dont want a car. Mid size, older SUV is perfect for me. Have gone to dealerships and looked and have stopped to look at Escapes in parking lots or parked on streets. Out of about 18 Escapes 2012 and earlier I looked at or test drove, all but 2 had 1 major problem in common----premature RUST! I was soooooo disappointed. I had my heart set on the 2012 or older Escape. There should not be so much rust consistently on a vehicle only 6 years old. My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (19 yrs old) is just now showing rust and that was my fault. I dont want to get a used vehicle starting out with a problem that will quickly get worse. Now I have to start my search again with other particular makes already eliminated. When I think about it, weve had a Ford F-150 and a F-250 and both rusted prematurely and once it started, very quickly. Without the rust problem Id buy the right Escape in a heartbeat.

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  Service Advance Traq - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Gary B. - August 8 - 9:31 am

  I purchased a F150 at the end of the year ( 2015 ) and got a great deal . About two weeks ago my truck was going 45 mph and then locked up and would go no faster then 10 mph . I turned it off and everything seem to be ok for a couple of weeks . Then it happened again and I was almost re ended . I had to drive all the way home at 10 mph . The truck lurches back and forth with the truck screen say Service Advance Traq . This truck is dangerous . It is currently at the dealer and they have determine that the throttle assembly is broken . I think it is many other problems . This is all computer related . The part is on back order ,,,, whatever that means . After the first month the truck started making engine noise and is very weak with not much pickup . The rpms rev up and the truck hardly moves . The A/C is lousy as well , It doesnt seem to work all the time . Back doors are also annoying to open and close . I had a Tundra for 8 years and I needed to get a new truck for my business . I replaced the A/C fan , tires and brakes and that s it . I had 140,000 miles on it . I needed something reliable , this Ford is a huge mistake . I paid 38k for this pile of junk . It lasted a whole 6000 miles . Im currently in a rental Ford Escape , Im so upset .

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  Nightmare purchase - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Smarty Jones - July 23 - 12:22 am

  If poor engineering, fake specifications, bad customer service from the dealership and no help from the corporate office is what you desire then welcome home to Ford! My 2016 F-150 struggles to pull my bass boat, dry weight only 2400 pds, up sharp inclines. Short on-ramps on the interstate are a special treat. Hitting the breaks to a dead stop before being killed is something you should be prepared for with this one. Its a pooch and not going to haul anything except a few bags of groceries home or a some trash bags to the dump in back. Totally worthless hauler no matter what the specs say. The favorable reports here are more than likely plants, Ford employees or both. Run like a scalded dog to Chevy or Dodge if you want a real truck. Ford F-150 is a toy, nothing more.

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  So many other choices - 2017 Ford Explorer
  By ariannasmom99@yahoo.com - July 19 - 2:30 am

  This is the most uncomfortable car I have ever ridden in. The back seat is like sitting in a childs chair at your childs school conference. Hard to get in and out of. Cost is very high considering the features that you get. No USB plugs in the back. You will pay a lot for a very "meh" car. I would look at other SUVs first before this very average one. The front seat is an okay ride, but if you have a family this is definately not the car for you.

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  FORDS REVENGE ON AMERICA - 2014 Ford Focus
  By HARRY BERGER - July 16 - 11:39 pm

  After 73 yrs I thought I would treat myself to my first new car ever. Bearing in mind we were a ford family since 1947 and I drove a 2004 mercury marquis for 11 yrs it was reasonable to think buying a new ford from wayne akers ford in lake worth florida was the right thing. I bought a new focus and after 10 days and the trans locking up 4 times in 400 miles I returned to the dealership to uplift this deal. They pleaded with me to take another new 2014 ford focus same model same deal same price after 4-5 hours of fighting with them they convinced me to take another . I went along with their offer ..... But when I was presented with a bill for around 2400.00 I insisted they call me a cab . As I refused either to take mycar back and or accept their offer of "Even exchange" with a diff of 2400. They reduced it to 1200....No thank you then 600 . After 6 hours of fighting I agreed to 400. The next morning I woke up and checked the "Very same car" not to be so they substituted a much cheaper model over a 1000.00 cheaper I drove to the dealership and they refused to acknowledge this.. (oops I am a retired mechanic had my own shop) so off to small claims court their attorney claimed they made a mistake and pleaded with me to accept 1500.00 so they did not want to go in front of the judge. I lost 325.00 on the filing fees. The new focus was better the transmission did not lock up but jerked hesitated late and early changes car jerked violently when I went to the dealer a good few times their standard response "We could not duplicate problem" eventually the loud banging the dealer could not deny they replaced the trans. As for the very very poor gas mileage 16-18 mpg they told me they checked and I was getting 29.5 mpg I decided to make a pictural history everytime I filled up 3/4 tank 1/2 ank 1/4 tank and the comp proved that I was getting barely 17/19 at best I advised the dealer that the violent jerking was affecting my spinal surgery which the neuro surgery determined I was permanently disabled . After 2 yrs of very bad service horrible horrible car . I traded it in for a 2013 ford fusion landed costing me over 21000.00 for a car that should be crushed recalled ford screwed up 2013/4 ford focus and costs americans millions of dollars in fords screw up possibly worse than the ford pinto or the edsel

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  another poor design by grandmas at Ford - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By jman - July 15 - 8:26 am

  I purchased this car and at first it had that cachet that made me buy it. I should of taken it for a longer test drive. Every time I got into the car something else would be missing on it. A cover, or cap. This car feels very plastic; something my son should be driving around in my front yard. The nimble effect it had when I first bought it turned into mushy handling.

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  NOPE!!! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Paula P - July 10 - 9:04 pm

  You couldnt give me another Ford. Bought this with 2,200 miles on it and had it to the dealership 2x with exactly ZERO help from them or Ford. I guess the only positive would be that it would definitely put a crying baby to sleep with all the jerking, vibration and abnormal noises it makes while driving. It is down right embarrassing to even have passengers in this vehicle and drive down the road. I dont understand even with a car over two years old they still dont have a solution to this unacceptable reaction to just pushing the acceleration pedal. This could get 50mpg and I will still say NOPE!

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  Extremely poor reliability, failed after 2 month - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By angry_custom1 - July 7 - 9:55 am

  The engine had crazy noise, dealer said it is normal. The door chime is not there, now after 7 weeks, the transmission failed. Ford not only lied about the mpg, they did not even test it, they just decide to put a number there, but they have the audacity to insult Hyundai when NHTSA fined Hyundai, yet [non-permissible content removed] government did not even investigate Fords lie. Asked Ford ex-employee, told Ford demand the orginal transmission maker to reveal their trade secret to Ford and Visteon, then both companies compete for Fords business, of course original supplier was angry, possibly provided low-quality parts to Ford. Ford should just go out of business!