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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  2002 Ford F1 50 Super crew - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Jeff - September 24 - 9:45 pm

  I recently just bought a 2002 Ford F1 50 super crew with the four-wheel-drive package I have had to Chevys before I got this ford am really miss my Chevys right now this ford as one of the worst vehicles I have ever had its a great-looking truck and it is very comfortable to drive it but it breaks down a least once a week its got a good bit of power in the pools very good but it is very Hard to work on tight squeezes everywhere you work this would definitely be the last Ford I ever bye List of things I have had break on me in the past two months the truck has 240,000 miles on it and I have had driveshafts snap on me Ive had Motor mounts break on me Ive had the rear differential started leaking all of a sudden I have had so many problems with the exhaust manifolds leaking Ive had to replace the valve covers Ive had to replace spark plugs in the coral packs and then I drove the truck today and for some reason the thing is shaking really bad Im not really sure why its doing it I think the four-wheel-drive might be fixing to lock up but dont know other than that I really recommend getting a Chevy or a Toyota I would stay for away from ford And whats crazy is when I bought this ford I bought it six hours away from where I live but I drove it for six hours straight pool one of my Chevys back on a car trailer and I didnt have any problems out of the Ford the minute I get home Ive had breakdowns ever cents

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  Engine Blew UP - 2013 Ford F-150
  By Jim Muckenhirn - September 22 - 4:27 pm

  I have about 86000 miles on my 2013 F-150 with Ecoboost. I was pretty happy with the truck, changed oil regularly, and always have properly serviced. Fords warranty is no good, even with an extended warranty it would have only been for 60000 miles. I was driving down the road and the engine quit. The Ford service has told me that the #6 piston is missing and two other pistons are very damaged. The head has a whole in it from the damage. There was no indication that the engine was failing. It will cost me $9,000-$10,000 for a new engine and I am still paying on this truck.

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  do not buy select shift 6 speed auto - 2014 Ford Focus
  By jerry m. - September 15 - 11:58 pm

  This vehicle shifted fine for 2-3 k miles then started acting crazy. I took it back to the dealer they said it just needed the computer reprogramed - on the way home it was still doing it. I took it to a different dealer a few weeks later with the same results. The two Ford dealers keep the car overnight both times and would not give me a loaner- one of them did have a shuttle to take me home and pick me up the next day. I dont think they know how to fix them and just tell they did something and send you on your way. This is a great car otherwise. I have tried to trade it in but at three dealers (different brands) I was offered 11,000 on trade in -very sad ! It is embarrassing to have friends ride in it. Ford needs to recall these cars and FIX them. I bought a Ford because my son-in-law works at the Louisville assembly plant but this is my last.

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  throttle body - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Renee Owens - September 14 - 2:05 pm

  Ok so we bought this 2005 freestyle had 18 months ran perfect. Monday we are driving down the road lose all power, pull over the car is still running but gas pedal will not work. We turned vehicle off started it back ran perfect until Saturday same thing happened. We coasted into auto zone they put it on diagnostics. Diagnostics said it was tps so later that day same thing happened pulled over turned car off it started back but now engine light wont go off. I took it to ford dealer they are saying its throttle body. There was a recall but ford wont honor because they are saying it has never been serviced but the warranty on it ran out June 2 So now we have to pay 940 to ford place for throttle body ridiculous but only vehicle we have so its got to be paid

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  Very poor transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Ken Harrington - September 6 - 10:53 pm

  I have a 2014 Ford Focus, and the transmission is terrible, it is very tight and jumpy has shuttered for the entire 15 months Ive had the car. When I go up a hill it stalls, and in traffic, I get the 6 minute "transmission overheating" message. I wish I bought another car.

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  Had problems since day one, Ford needs to buy back - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By Rose - September 5 - 9:57 am

  We have had transmission problems since day 1, they always tell us it is fixed and it never is. It has spend so much time in the garage that Ford should be making some of my payments for me. I dont complain often about vehicles because I know things can go wrong with anything mechanical but please listen when i say dont buy an automatic transmission fiesta from 2012. This vehicle has had so many recalls and they are still attempting to repair the transmission after the 30th time at the garage. Just got it back a week ago and back it goes again next week for the SAME issue. I can say it is very economical on gas when we do have it to drive. The other upside is that i have never been stranded with the vehicle, the transmission just doesnt work right.

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  The Good and the Ugly - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Worst Ford ever made - August 27 - 1:59 pm

  The 93 Taurus was a great car if you got the right one.. The right one was the cheap one, the GL without the 3.8ltr V6, if you got a cheap-o one with the 3.0 and the bench seats these cars were fantastic. I however didnt. I ended up getting a LX wagon, with the 3.8 and all the bells and whistles.. This was a mistake. The transmission was horrible, it would blow through torque converters at least one every 3 months, the electronics were GM 80s quality, where you would only have the AC in the rain, and the window switches would only work if you got them wet first. The Electric seats jammed and would not go forward unless you did the dog but drag on the seat to pull them forward. The stock radio was terrible, even by 1993 standards, the car had another feature that would auto lock the doors, even if you were in park, so if you got out of the car after starting it to warm it up, and closed the door, you had to break into your own car to get back into it. The engine had good torque, and the seats were comfortable, but the quality of the car.. the build quality was something that even Hyundai with an excel surpassed.. I eventually gave up after about 25-30 torque converters and months of loaner cars, and bought a 1999 corolla, which lasted close to 400K miles without a single issue.. The resale of a 1993 taurus in 1999 with 67K miles on it was 3500.00 Worst car ever!

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  2013 explorer sport shortcomings - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By Evan Edwards - August 26 - 9:36 am

  Have a 2013 ford explorer sport black on black. Fantastic looking vehicle and have been pleased overall until the warranty ran out. Currently at 38000 which is 2000 over. Basically one month. Ac compressor locked up and caused belt to break which left vehicle without power steering and had to be towed. Ford said " too bad out of warranty, you owe $1100. ". Vehicle is 2.5 years old. This does not seem to be a normal item to malfunction so early on and am very disappointed that Ford is taking position of no responsibility. The sync system is as bad as others say. Never worked as advertised which had been a major incentive to buy the vehicle. Also the rear parking aid stopped working and I considered that to be a minor concern but perhaps its more indicative of future things to come. I was happy that ford had turned things around in 2009 and felt good about the purchase but not anymore. Cant imagine what I would do had the transmission failed instead of just the ac.

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  Blind spots - 2014 Ford Explorer
  By Roger - August 23 - 9:50 pm

  Make sure you take your time test driving this vehicle. Many blind spots, between looking in your side view mirrors and trying a to see cars coming over your shoulders, its very dangerous. Also the design of the front end makes it hard to tell when to stop when parking. All said and done, I would not make this same purchase. Again. So much for wanting to buy American!

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  Burned by ford - 2015 Ford Escape
  By michelle b - August 23 - 12:01 pm

  Bought a 2015 escape in February in June started hearing a noise coming from the engine. The mechanics at dealership said it was fuel injector that ruined the piston.We had to have a new engine put in. We felt should buy it back because it was defective, Ford said no because it was a new engine being put in,this was not satisfactory to us.We had to buy another one. The dealership or Ford would not trade it out for another Escape so we had take a hit and pay another 3 thousand dollars plus pay the taxes again. Weve have bought 12 cars from this dealership over the years and this is how we were treated and Ford didnt care either therefore we will not buy another Ford product!!!!!!!!