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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  Non-working doors - 2008 Ford Focus
  By CP - March 22 - 8:57 pm

  I do love my economic little Focus and how it handles great in the snow, HOWEVER, I am livid that my car is only two years old and the car door latches are rusting and making it hard to open the doors. My passenger side door will now no longer open from the outside. Is anyone else having problems with this? I called my dealership and they said they didnt think it was covered under warranty but I feel that Ford should be willing to fix doors rusting shut on one of their two year old cars when one of their customers is still paying on the car for three more years, I feel like I have a clunker again!

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  Time to sell it before too late - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By G W - March 18 - 5:28 pm

  We bought it used w/ @ 33,000 mi on it. The drivers side window motor went right away but the dealer fixed it under warranty. Now have @ 77,000 mi on it. Rear vent windows work & then dont, interior lights also flash on for no reason, now the head gasket is leaking- a seemingly common issue. I owned a 96 & it also was plagued w/ electrical glitches. Im very nervous about the multiple listings of tranny failure as it has never seemed well mated to this engine - lots of downshifting when going up just moderate grades, not like the 96 but then Ford made this model @ 1000 lbs heavier. Think its time to sell.

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  Tire Problems - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Ricky - March 18 - 10:01 am

  I am having the same problem as the other guy. Around 16,000 miles my car started to shake really bad when i drove it so i brought it to the dealership to find out what was wrong.They said that two of my tires are bald and defective so they replaced them for free. So at about 27,000 miles i start having the same problem the bumping while i am driving so i bring it to the dealership again and they say they cant find anything wrong. I told them to do an alignment because there was something wrong. I got the report and the alignment was off and said it wasnt under warranty so i had to pay. Ok so now i am at 34,000 miles with the same problem and they balanced my wheels this time what should i do

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  Mustve got the only lemon - 2007 Ford Expedition
  By mooch316 - March 17 - 7:36 pm

  In four months on Limited fully equipped model, have had everything from the automatic air suspension to now the full transmission. Love the looks, comfort, safety, but wished it was in my driveway as much as its at the dealership for major repairs. I wish I wouldve never bought this lemon, its giving me an ulcer.

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  not bad but could do better - 2001 Ford F-150
  By motogirl - March 16 - 4:09 pm

  I bought this truck to haul the bikes, camping and some off roading (after owning a Jeep Wrangler a truck cant off road) I was looking for a Tacoma or Titan, my friends dad owned a lot and got me a great deal on this F150. i havent had to major of issues but every time i give it a good wash a spark plug blows, then every time i get the front brakes done a bolt backs out when Im in motion thank god its a quick catch and nothing bad has truly happened while i have been driving. the gas mileage is ridiculously horrible Im lucky to get 10 miles to the gallon. The stereo volume will go up when you turn it down and down when you turn it up.

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  Found On Road Dead - 2008 Ford Escape
  By Found On Road Dead. - March 15 - 7:23 pm

  I also purchased this car to stay with American made products. Along with others our transmission cooler went out and had to fix on my own. I called and reported it and nothing is being done. Its no wonder people are buying things made outside America. Ford you need to fix this problem or you will lose a lot of customers!

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  Bitter betty - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By Jackie - March 14 - 11:59 pm

  I wanted to love this car so much, its beautiful and sexy but quality was lacking. I had experienced so many issues with this car, which out weighed the good experiences. Factory paint bubbles which were dealer fixed, Rattles at 2500 rpm, clunky front end, Manual trans locks out in first gear and reverse (fun at a green light), Fuel pump glitchy, Heater broke, interior gauges flashing random things randomly, phantom window movement. And the king of all the problems a interior water leak which i suspect was the culprit of most of the issues. Oh and 11 mpg )

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  A Striking Blonde Airhead of a Car - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By PowerSurfer - March 11 - 7:21 am

  If this were a car, it would be a blond airhead that seduces you in the beginning but doesnt hold your interest and isnt reliable over the long run. After three years the only part of the car I like is the V8 engine. The suspension is crude and not up to the power of the engine. The manual trans is hard to shift, and the clutch is heavy. This car requires a lot of attention to drive smoothly, especially in anything but warm dry weather- and Ive been to performance driving school. The stereo is missing the midrange, its all highs & lows and the menu system is dangerous to use while driving. The ergonomics are horrible, with cup holders in the way of the shifter and inadequate storage.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Ford Ranger
  By Disappointed - March 10 - 12:09 pm

  Looks good and drives good. After 6,000 miles developed any annoying rattle in the passenger side of the dash and the dealer could not find the source. Worst part was that after 5-6 months the vehicle started rusting. A couple of spots on the body, through the paint and also some painted spots under the bed and finally inside the wheels. I do live at the beach, but my 1996 Jeep Cherokee, which was 8 years old when I moved there, took 3 to 4 years to start rusting and my girlfriend lived in the Keys for 20 years and never had issues with her 3 Hondas. This is ridiculous, especially since Ford claims that their quality is even with Honda and Toyota. Warranty doesnt cover this, of course.

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  the money pit! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By lisa - March 10 - 7:52 am

  I fell in love with the "look" of the explorer xlt, and had always heard that Ford built a good vehicle. Everything started out great. But, around 70,000 miles that all started to change. I have replaced 6 wheel bearings, rebuilt the transmission, changed window switch, the interior lights works only when they want too, heat doesnt work anymore, volume knob is broken, clicking noise coming from dash, 4x4 doesnt work, trim started fading to quick, leather seats dont hold up, rear passenger door wont lock and after all this the transmission is going out again. Dont waset your money on what is now known as the Ford exploder.