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:

• 

  Last Ford I will ever buy - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By luvencl - November 17 - 6:16 am

  I have driven Fords all my life but this 2002 is the worse experience I have ever had. First to go was the rear AC, kept getting a click noise. Had it replaced under warranty, but then it went bad again just after the warranty ran out. Then had stereo also go bad. CD player got stuck, then 2 months later, volume would just start to get loud with no control touching. Master brake cylinder replaced at 42,000, and then the oxygen sensor, door trim @ same time. Then one very cold morning, I go to my car and notice a huge crack in the hatch below glass. I called the police because I thought someone tried to break into my SUV. Found later that others have the same problem. I am done with Ford!

• 

  Found on Road Dead a very true statement!!! - 2007 Ford Edge
  By donna stepp - November 17 - 4:49 am

  I bought this 2007 Ford Edge Sel Awd from Car Max with 77k miles on it. I bought it for personal use only!!! I am self employed and was using my 2000 Chevy Blazer to work. This Edge basically sat from September of 2015 when I bought it until October of 2016 when I started using it for work. Well, lets go back to when I first purchased it from Car Max. I immediately had braking issues, I took it back to Car Max and their service dept "supposedly" fixed my brakes. Well the grinding noise was still there so I took it to Merlins and they showed me the rotars and pad needed to be replaced. This was in Sept. 2015 2 weeks after I had purchased the Edge. At that same time Merlins noticed the Rack Pinion leaking, So I had to get that fixed. Yes, I have the MaxCare warranty but that is besides the point. Well, that go fixed and now this vehicle sat until October of 2016, like I said and started driving it more. Well, May of 2017, with 91k miles on it. The battery light came on and I took it to Merlins and the Alternator went out. So, I had to replace that and the serpetine belt along with the tension pulley, on that same day, Merlins noticed the Transfer case was leaking. Now, that had to be fixed. Now, in August of 2017, I was driving down the road when I came up to a red light and I went to press the brake to stop and it was HARD as a rock. Like hitting a wall. I take it back to Merlins and the Master Cylinder and Brake Booster both went out that day. So, that got fixed. In September of 2017 now it has 92k miles on it the Rack Pinion was leaking again. So, Merlins fixed that. This brings us to this very date. As of Dec.16. 2017 this vehicle is leaking oil from the timing cover, which Merlins thinks its the valve cover gasket. So, in the 27 months of having this vehicle that I purchased with 77k miles on it when it all began. Now it has 94732. Thats a total 17.732 miles I have put on this vehicle. Thats 8.866 miles a year I have put on this vechilce. So, far Alternator, Tension Pulley, Serpetine belt, Master Cylinder Brake Booster, Rack Pinion (twice fixed) Transfer Case and now Valver Cover Gasket and possible Heads as well. That $9000 in repairs for this vehicle. What is going on at Ford? I mean really I paid 13k for this vehicle and 9k in repairs? This is completely insane. Wait, the recall for the gas tank and now the hub bearing assembly front drivers side. (Steering) I mean really. This is not the 80s where the vehicles did last past 80k miles. Now I have to wait for the tekata air bag replacement because the air bag may deploy. When is Ford going to be held responsible for their vehicles. They need to stop running such short tests on these engines and putting them in reproduction asap. This is the outcome of that. I am going back to GM. I gave Ford a chance and this is what they are reproducing? I mean the Edge is a very nice looking ride and hanldes awesome but I cannot keep mine out of the shop. The interior is awesome, I like everything about the vehicle but these major enginge...brake and steering problems are all very serious. I hope one day ford will get rid of the FOUND ON ROAD DEAD, off their backs. With me its ALL TRUE!!!

• 

  2007 Fod Focus SE - 2007 Ford Focus
  By travisgt3 - November 16 - 3:48 pm

  This car has been a great get around car however the gas milage is sitting around 26 which is not bad but said it would get higher. I love the size of the car because its small but could use some better styling.

• 

  the pimp - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Jeremy Fulcher - November 16 - 2:00 am

  wonderful looks, and great engine but, horrible shifting(too hard on the clutch) and doesnt shift smooth. Ford should reconsider putting in an import cars transmission.

• 

  FORD is a four letter word... - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By qtemoc - November 14 - 10:00 am

  First we had a heater/AC/vent "odor" problem that the dealer could not find. This plagued us for 2 years when we finally paid to have the heater core replaced. This helped alot but FORD and its dealers would not pay for the repair. Then on a long trip the automatic transmission started to rumble, slip and act up.(3 1/2 years old and with 35,000 easy miles!!!)

• 

  Tranny problems AWD CVT 2nd time in 09 - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By PM - November 12 - 12:10 pm

  Really liked this car until this January, at 39k miles high pitch whine coming from the engine. Dealership had the car for 1 month, we did get a rental, but they wanted to replace the transmission and Ford had them rebuild it. So they did and now were now at 55k miles and were having the same issue. Waiting on the dealerships word on repairs. Under warranty in January, still warrantied now. But looking at our options to offload it. I would not recommend buying a used Freestyle with the CVT!

• 

  60k miles and a repair nightmare - 2002 Ford Escape
  By NoMoreFords - November 11 - 4:03 pm

  Purchased new and it ran great, then things started to happen. 10K - Lose molding on the roof. Rear wiper does not touch the window. 40K - 6-disc player stopped working. 50k - 3 coils out of 6 had to be replaced. Windows started squeaking when opening and closing. 65k - Replaced oil pan gasket due to leak, and then two month later the oil pan due to stripped plug. 70k Replaced all three catalytic converters (they were plugged up). 70k - Replaced leaky water pump. Replaced cracked alternator. I give up...

• 

  Lame - 1996 Ford Thunderbird
  By pixiedw - November 11 - 11:31 am

  I received this car for my graduation from high school. And it needed alot of work done. The inside lights dont work, turn signals dont work, the sunroof fell off the car while I was driving, the car has no backend suspension, it cant even handle snow on the ground hardly ice, the alternator and engine cooling fan had to be replaced as well as a major belt, the starter went out and replaced. I think old ford cars are not made for use in the midwest.

• 

  Dont Do It - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By smitty - November 11 - 6:49 am

  We purchased this vehicle used, two old, with about 40,000 miles on it. A comfortable ride, decent fuel economy. We had the extended 100,000 mile warranty. The van had numerous recalls. Spent thousands of dollars for repair after warranty ran out. Van seemed to stay in the shop. My mechanic started to feel bad fixing the van, only to have other things go wrong. Had to replace the transmission. Tie rods went bad. Numerous engine problems. Eventually I sold the van to my mechanic for $500. Then the engine blow on him a month later. Ford needs to be ashamed for selling the Windstar. A total piece of junk and very unreliable.

• 

  CVT trouble - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By CVT troubles - November 10 - 12:56 pm

  Just when you think you have bought a reliable family vehicle. I noticed a ticking noise coming from under the hood after a long business trip. When I got back, I decided to have it looked at. I was not even thinking that it could be transmission trouble. Who thinks that at 71,000 miles that you would have transmission trouble? And when I looked to see what the manufacturers warranty was, only 3 years or 36,000 miles???!!! Oh my goodness! You think Ford didnt know that would be a problem? The transmission specialist told me a brand new tranny would cost about $7,000!! I almost choked! What a shame. Please read this and take something from it!