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:

• 

  No More Fords For Me - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Shirley Howard - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Freestyle when they first hit the showroom, I had been watching them when they first started showing them on their website. I really did like this SUV, It just rolled over to 100,000 miles a week ago. I was planning on driving this for a long time. Then the transmission started messing up and would not change out of low, the tech was going crazy. The dealership informed us it needed a new transmission at the tune of $5910 out the door. Thats about what the thing is worth. I have bought my last Ford and Ive had several. I would not advise anyone to buy a Ford because they are nothing but junk and they wont stand behind them. Now I know why they only made them for 3 years.

• 

  Ok first car - 1997 Ford Aspire
  By Tyler - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my ford aspire last December as my first car. I paid Five hundred dollars for it. Since than i have put at least eight hundred dollars in repairs into the darn thing. From Bad motor mounts to tires, Ive replaced it. I dont blame the car itself because the previous owners never even changed the oil in the car. It took four oil changes to finally get it cleaned out! I have to tell you for what this car been through Im surprised it still goes, the engine is good condition just everything around it is whats wrong. If Im gentle with the throttle i will get 35 mpg city and 35 mpg highway it has the 3 speed automatic. The transmission requires you to floor it to shift down.

• 

  Owner beward - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By Golfmaniac - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Ex used with about 47K miles on it. Within the first week, the car began to loose power and the engine light came on. Took it back, told nothing wrong. Happened again, the dealer sent it to the local Ford dealer who found three sensors were bad, two on the transmission. I am hopeful that the fix works. The Ex swallows anything we put in it, including our three kids and gear. Gas mileage is what it is.

• 

  I got a LEMON - 2010 Ford Explorer
  By Charlyn - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Weve been having a lot of electrical problems. We bought the car in April 2010 and had the first problem less than a month after. ABS Module no communication has been our problem. Problems include: Service RSC (roll stability control), interior signal lights not working, automatic pedal, DVD player, media sync, phone sync. Brought it into the shop I believe a total of 7 times and its still in the shop for the DVD and Sync system not working. A regional engineer worked on our car twice. Trying to get my problem resolved, I want my money back! Dont buy a Ford!

• 

  Had been pretty good until - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By POEO - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Like most Explorers of this vintage, the transmission just went at 96,000 miles. Major slippage from 2nd into 3rd, now looking at a $2000+ repair. This is a very common problem so beware if you are looking at picking up a used one. Ford knows about it, but doesnt care too much. Looking to see if there is a class action lawsuit in the works as its not a question of if but when this problem will occur in these trucks. Had been a pretty decent car up until this, now crossing my fingers that this isnt the start of major issues to come. Before this I was considering another Explorer in 2012, now probably not as these type of major issues seem to continue to plague American made cars.

• 

  My 2010 Ford Edge is a Lemon - 2010 Ford Edge
  By William O. - September 8 - 2:07 am

  Since I bought it, the tire sensors, Nav system, sunroof, USB, door, power seat, transmission and brakes have all failed. I have 5500 miles on. I have lost it for service 32 days and 3 mornings. Ford has been a nightmare to deal with. Stories, lies, refusal to fix/replace systems etc. I finally had a meeting with cust serv, which was a choreographed show and waste of time. They cant fix everything and wont take it back.

• 

  Bad radiator - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By gn - September 3 - 12:04 pm

  It will surge at slow speeds while going forward or reverse. Now at 41,000 miles the radiator has sprung a leak. The dealer says this is the first they have heard of explorers having radiator problems. A fun thing to do is when you see someone with a 2006 explorer ask them if they have replaced the radiator yet. You get a surprised look and an answer like "how did you know?"

• 

  Why ford why? - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By richard - September 1 - 6:07 pm

  What a joke. 4x4 goes out. Trannys go out. Front end went. Rear end went out. Abs went out. Crank was going. They are built to fall apart and cost you a ton of money and why is everyone wanting shift on the fly four wheel drive? Put that on the floor. Maybe thats why Dodge can beat Ford with the durango.

• 

  Motor trend car of the year mistake - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By wilson - August 31 - 6:06 pm

  Bought 8/2009 at 18,000 miles new transmission was put in back in the shop 3 more times for transmission issues then back in the shop for the air conditioner blow motor had enough wanted out of the car contacted Ford motors headquarters and they could have cared less this is our 6th Ford it is a beautiful car but what a poor quality car cant wait to get out of this car

• 

  Uncertain if this was a good purchase... - 2010 Ford Escape
  By River - August 29 - 4:19 pm

  I bought it during employee pricing-so cheapest on market at time. I traded in my 07 V6 mustang- & I miss the power. Thought fuel efficiency would make up for it- but theres hardly a difference -engine has to rev harder to perform and eats up fuel to do it. And Braking is a joke! I braked suddenly in a parking lot & felt the vehicle skip before halting. It doesnt feel very safe to me! Interior looks alright, but not nearly so stylish as other SUVs. And a/c vents take a lot of fussing to re-adjust with 2 separate handles for each one. Storage area is good- but back seats are awkward to bring down. If Id had more $$ I wouldve chosen a Kia Sorento.