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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  nice, but not nice - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By mechanics dream - January 29 - 9:11 pm

  Lots of problems, (new) rack, air conditioning, power steering pump, wheel bearing, power window, (drivers side), rear power latch (twice), goes through tires, now it is pinging like the timing is off, but, it looks good and is comfortable on the highway, reading about the transmission problems, please I hope I dont have this problem,

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  what do you expect? - 1997 Ford Escort
  By joe - January 28 - 1:47 am

  lets be real its a escort. If I had more money Id drive a benz but im a broke loser who flips burgers. If you talk great things about your escort your a loser. It does the job go to work and maybe you can buy a nicer car down the road.

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  traction control - 2009 Ford F-150
  By jason brannen - January 27 - 7:16 pm

  i am a ford man i have owened 6 new f- 150s iam 32 years old.i recently bought a 2009 FX 4x4 i use my truck for hunting and alot of off road use.the traction control has gotten me stuck on 5 different occasions.traction control may be good for the highway use but i cant find anything good while using it off road but stuck.the button on the dash is a joke.my thoughts are when u put a truck 4x4 you shouldnt have to press a reset button every time you back up and go forward it stinks bad.i am really disappointed

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  disappointed - 2008 Ford Explorer
  By redstang - January 27 - 3:20 pm

  Had a 96 Explorer V6 RWD, 185000 miles and ran good. Decided it was time to update, now have an 08 RWD V6, 4 speed auto with O/D. The 96 got 22 mpg highway, 08 lucky to get 20 mpg. The seat/steering is difficult to get in a comfortable position, steering lever knob way down under, tough to find and tougher to set in an exact position. Turn signal lever is high behind the steering wheel, fumble to find it. Idiot light for battery, reset button for mileage, etc is in indiotic position on dash, diappointed obviously with interior design of dash, etc. The 96 egronomically, was much more user friendly. 08 ride is nicer and traction control helpful in winter conditions.

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  front brake problems - 2008 Ford F-150
  By thebolt - January 26 - 2:19 pm

  truck developed a front end shake with 2000 miles. dealer cut the rotors. at 25000 miles needed front brakes and rotors.at 36000 miles needed rear brakes and rotors. now at 49000 miles front end is shaking like crazy. I am sure I need new front rotors.

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  Reliable - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Larry - January 26 - 12:48 pm

  Does exactly what you need it to. Fits the wife, kids and dog and tows a trailer great. Does awesome 4WD donuts in the snow. No engine or tranny issues. Goes through rotors and pads fast (every two or three years). Replaced tires once. Replaced battery once. Replaced rear wiper motor once. Crack in plastic rear door near wiper as others have noted. Always starts, never stalls.

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  Not What We Hoped For - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Hackman - January 20 - 9:29 pm

  When we purchased this Focus new, we were hoping to get a car that was fun to drive, great fuel economy, and reliability. Only one of those hopes has been realized. It is fun to drive, but it sure doesnt get the MPGs like most 4-cylinder cars. About 20-22 mpg city is all we can get. The replaceable parts like tires, brakes/rotors, and battery are definitely inferior. All had to be replaced within the first 3 years. And the cost of tires and brakes is outrageous since Ford has to different. Rotors=$75 each, when a comparable Chevy rotor is only $25. Now were getting a strut problem fixed after 43,000 miles. After this experience, wed be hard pressed to buy another Ford.

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  Trans Cooler Defect - 2008 Ford Escape
  By Twinspires - January 20 - 1:01 pm

  At 41,000 miles..just outside of warranty, transmission cooler went out to tune of $650. Ford does not want to hear about it, but check the internet..lots of others had the same issue. There shoudl be a recall on this vehicle. Leaked trans fluid until I got it repaired and only 2 years old. Going back to driving Nissans.

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  Worst Mustang ever, Dont buy Ford !!! - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By ilcoolj - January 18 - 10:51 am

  09/23/06 I financed a 06 Mustang GT, my 1st new car. Previously my family and I have had about 10 Fords. after 6 mos. the car stalled out, I didnt think anything of it. In07 the problem became more noticeable I also had the battery replace twice. The alternator and L/F headlight (water). In08 the problem became more frequent stalling between 30-40mph. The dealer couldnt find thr problem after frequent visits. In Feb.09 I was going to trade it in for a used 08 Shelby GT500. The deal fell apart when the belt kept tearing. Took it to another dealer and was told crank was bad, waited 2 mos. to have engine rebuilt. called cust.service theyre very nasty. Lemon law,govt agencies,legal no help

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  cross member - 2006 Ford Escape
  By george remedis - January 17 - 7:18 pm

  had to remove and replace the rear cross member aassembly due to a bad weld it was sheared at the weld should have been covered defect only 45ooo miles on itcost was 994.18 would not purchase another Ford as they due not back you up when it should have not have happened.