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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  Do Not Purchase - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By susanconn - June 17 - 8:33 pm

  This car has been nothing but trouble since we purchased it. The transmission has been rebuilt, wheel bearings replaced, and now the o/d off light is blinking, the service engine light is on and the ABS warning light is on. Apparently the o/d off light blinking means our transmission is not functioning properly again.

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  Never Buy Ford! - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Shannon - June 10 - 10:07 pm

  I had my vehicle in the shop within a month. After multiple visits and attempts to fix the problem Ford Corporate said my noise "was a characteristic of some Escape and Mariner models," "there are things to be done to temporarily fix the issue but it will continue to be an annoyance for the customer." Reference Special Service Number 21233 (if you can find it). Ford cannot fix problem and will not replace the vehicle. My Ford is now a very expensive POS. If you happen to buy the Lemon on the lot, be ready for a huge headache.

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  254,000+ Miles and its still going! - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By Not a Ford Guy - June 10 - 2:19 pm

  We bought our 1997 Expedition XLT 4x4 in 2000 with about 100K miles already on it. I was leery because the first year Exped had already developed a notorious reliability reputation, but the price was so good I couldnt resist. At the time it was a good looking truck (and still isnt bad, after all these years) and gas was "cheap." Well, weve broken 250K miles and have only sunk about $2500 in 10 years into actual repairs, not including "consumables" of course. The small 4.6 L V8, which underpowered for such a large vehicle, still holds its own and still gets 14+ MPG in mixed driving -- and EVERYTHING still works (all electrical, power, transmission, 4WD, etc)! Color me impressed!

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  Triton engine problems - 2007 Ford Expedition
  By Jim - June 9 - 3:35 pm

  This is our 3rd Expedition and the first we have had problems with despite essentially the same engine. The vehicle has had an intermittent misfire for at least 2 years. Has not shown up on computer until this week when engine light finally came on. Coil on plug on cylinder #4 was faulty. After a check of the internet, I find this is a common problem which was confirmed by my dealers service department. Ford refuses to acknowledge this is a problem with this engine. Big decision now is whether to sell it or keep it and risk a multi-thousand dollar repair bill sometime in the future. No more Expeditions for us which is a shame because we like it a lot more than GM or other products.

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  Ford lost another customer - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By bgdbooboo - June 6 - 11:52 am

  I purchased this SUV with 60.000 miles on it. Within 1 year the rear differential died, ac compressor, transmission rebuilt, wheel bearings, ball joints, brakes on all 4 corners. Multiple other maint items. All that said the transmission is shot again and the rear is whining and chattering again. Im a single parent of two. One of which is handicapped. I cannot afford any of these repairs anymore and will never buy another explorer.

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  Fueling issues - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By RYLANDT2003 - June 4 - 3:28 pm

  From day one that I purchased my new 2007 mustang I have not been able to fill up the tank. I have taken it to the dealership over 5 times for this issue and get no where. I have had 3 gas tanks and other parts replaced and it is still not fixed. Now they bent the fuel hose, haha, and want me to drive until on (E) and then bring it back for them to refuel. This is a major issues on this year and my car has the new tank design on it. I keep getting the run around as everyone else. This was my first new purchase and I will never again purchase a ford of any make or model.

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  Transmission issues- BAD! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By DawnLowery - June 2 - 12:29 pm

  I have had plenty of Explorers but my 2006 limited was final purchase for awhile and the plan was to "drive it till the wheels fall off," I am not a heavy driver. My commute to work is about 20 miles total. I took the Explorer in for service after the second year of owning it. I was told I had "cracked hoses" and that was why my fluids leaked. I mentioned all the complaints that I saw on the internet with radiators, the ford garage did not know of any "problems." They fixed it and then the next summer it was leaking again. I was told that was "normal" in the summer and was talked out of making an appointment. Just after 36,000 miles I was then told my radiator was shot.

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  2005 Ford Freestyle SEL - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Greg - June 1 - 3:30 am

  Replaced brakes after 34,000 miles, and had the intermittent cluster display circuit board replaced at a whopping $980.00 Ive always bought Ford vehicles in the past, but this is the last time I buy anything from Ford. I dont know how Ford managed to stay away from the bailout, because their vehicles are total garbage, except for their line of Trucks.

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  Costly - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By Connie - May 30 - 6:23 pm

  Started off great then one by one things started to fall apart. Trans has gone out twice and that was the last straw. Brakes are costly to maintain since it is 4WD and the interior door panels are poor quality. Air and heat keep going strong. Not very economical as far as gas is concerned--never got over 14 mpg. I would never buy one new, Id go with something else entirely.

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  Worst car ever - 2002 Ford Focus
  By SOKnight - May 29 - 10:02 pm

  I have owned Fords before but this will be my last. All the tires needed replacing when I went over normal potholes and they developed bubbles or got flat. Then the slave cylinder went. 3 of the 4 wheel bearings needed to be replaced, the CD player died, the shifter cable died, the front coil springs broke (theres a silent recall on these fyi), the windshield just cracked for no reason, the plastic on the bottom of the windshield came loose and the car gets water in the passenger side, and then there is that mysterious exhaust smell when I turn into my driveway, there was some radiator problem too but I dont recall what, now the A/C needs to be recharged, then theres a broken fan resistor.