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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  Fix Or Repair Daily - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By irishmafia - April 14 - 11:55 pm

  What a piece of junk cant begin to list all problems got it w 75k 3 months later new tranny which still had a problem that took months to fix whos the genius that came up with no locks on the passenger side? ABS light on since I bought it cant locate a problem, many emissions issues, heater broke,cruise broke, blows fuses when plugging GPS or cell phone in,driver seat needs to be replaced springs coming through I weigh 175, probably put 10k in car since I bought it!

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  Too Many Repair Bills - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By springers - April 14 - 1:00 pm

  Admittedly bought this car "as is" from a used car lot, but seems like an awful lot in repair bills in one year for a vehicle with only about 110,000 miles: Head gasket $1,700. Alternator $560. Transmission $2,300. Already more in repairs than I paid for it. Which is frustrating as otherwise its comfortable to drive, and has the room I need to haul stuff around when the seats are taken out.

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  Really Bummed - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Brent Dyer - April 12 - 11:39 pm

  So lets start with the brakes. Horrible brake sound when backing up. Grinding noise in the front. I took it in and they said I have to pay after 15k miles. Then the second time I took it in they said that the brakes were dirty. Horrible wind noise. Have major trans problems. Revs up to 6k rpm and I have to pull over and stop. (no, I did not touch the shifter). Took it in and they said nothing is wrong. I am taking it in again tomorrow for the 4th time in 5 months. I am tired of this and I dont have time to deal with this anymore. I am just going to be told that there is nothing wrong. Is anybody listening? I am very frustrated and no longer feel safe

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  Money Pit - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By MissouriEric - April 12 - 9:34 pm

  Currently, my ABS light, Advance Trac, and 4x4 lights are on so Im going to have to get that fixed now. In 2007 - wheel bearings (no big deal). In 2008 - motor blew up. Changed oil every 4,000 - 6,000 miles. In 2009 - transmission was rebuilt. Never buying another Explorer. Never had these problems with a Ford before. My family members worked at a Ford assembly plant so I always bought Fords. This may be my last Ford.

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  Stories the same one. - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By ? - April 12 - 3:01 am

  I just bought a Taurus & am in a dispute to get my money back. the guy lied on the disclosure sheet but more important, I getting all the problems Im hearing over & over in these reviews! Tranny, jerky shifting, thumping on taking off or shifting. Thing is, I like the car, really. Even though, as Ive read here, the electric windows and locks leave something to be desired. I found the previous owner, who told me it has always knocked and shifted jerky, but you get used to it, and its been a great car, so I should have Arden fix the motor mount and ignore the rest and itll be a good car for me. Im 60, alone, no man to help me if I have car trouble. But I really like driving this car!

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  Jar your spine - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By RMFL - April 11 - 4:13 pm

  My husband bought this car for me to replace my tired Mazda 626. The 626 was very well-equipped, so the Mustang falls short on a number of "extras". The biggest problem is the hard ride. Its fine on smooth pavement, but who has that to drive on any more? The clutch is also extremely tricky. I am accustomed to driving various vehicles with standard transmissions, but mastering this one is very difficult. My spouse has the same problem. I love the look of the car, but have had to equip the drivers seat with a hospital-quality wheelchair seat cushion to avoid having a splitting pain in my neck when driving.

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  Its Ok not the best - 2005 Ford Taurus
  By bigjon85 - April 8 - 6:45 pm

  I got my 2005 and it has been a great car I lover the driver information system its a huge plus wont buy another car without it. Its not the fast car but it does ok and I figured out the Taurus gets 24mpg city 28.6 mpg at 70 mph (highway) at least mine does. Ive been that car out of state and in state road trips its a fantastic car just had a few minor problems with it that could have been avoid its not an FFV and the ethanol clogged up my catalytic converter and it was under EPA warranty (8yr 80k miles) and had the block melt the cover of a spark plug wire great first car comfortable for me (61" 298 lbs) and 5 friends all bout 6.

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  Dont Buy - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By XpLoDeR - April 6 - 4:28 pm

  First of all its gas sucker to the max i have the 4.0 liter and its still sucks gas at 200 miles to the tank its at 184k and is drove a little rough but its had minor problems but i can tell the transmission is going i had to replace the alternator, belt, idler pulley, front end needed multiple alignments, rear bumper bends really easy, but i did make mine pretty nice its all off road style with big tires loud exhaust and custom gauges and rims

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  Traded a Gas guzzler for a Money Guzzler - 2003 Ford Focus
  By disappointmentabound - April 5 - 6:33 pm

  Great car for the first 45,000 miles! The tranny went out and was replaced under warranty at 3 years old. A year after the transmission replacement, the brakes went out and had to be completely replaced. About two months after the brakes, the struts went out. Also had to have them replaced. Upgraded stereo went out then, started hearing a terrible front end grinding noise-was told it was the transmission. Called the dealership and they said it was 3 days out of warranty. Took it to a different dealership and was told the motor mounts were also bad. Oh, and the ignition switch locked up. Was gonna just sell it, resale on the car isnt even $1500 but it gets great gas mileage.

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  Transmission Issues - 2009 Ford Escape
  By Lianna - April 5 - 12:49 pm

  Loved my 2009 Escape at first then started noticing problems that I first thought were just a fluke, but may turn out to be something more which concerns me. Every now and then I noticed it would slam into gear when switching from Drive to Reverse and vice versa. Also runs rough from time to time and right wheel rides like its wobbling from time to time. Car stalled on me this past weekend, I could not get it started and had to have it towed. Not happy at all considering the vehicle is less than a year old and Ive got 5 more years to pay on it. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. According to my sales rep, the vehicle started "right up" this morning- the jury is still out.