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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  Old ford still runs but it costs to run. - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By Gordon - October 3 - 9:39 pm

  I bought this car certified preowned in 2001 with 37k on it. At 42k it needed a camshaft sensor, 46k new struts, 55k cat converter and power windows. 67K the transmission needed replaced and replaced again at 99k. At 100k ac, radiator, crankshaft sensor, wheel bearings, windshield wiper motor and struts again, had to be replaced. We bought this for $14,000 and the resell value five years later was $2600. It still runs but we dont drive it much anymore. Piece of junk.

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  Take care of my escape and he takes care of me - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Tish - October 2 - 9:07 pm

  Its very reliable I can say damn good on gas Ive grown to love my escape and I dont want another vehicle out there! I replaced the transmission in 2014 which cost me $2000... I was told that the 06 ford escape was the best engine ford has built and yep 5 years strong soon to be 10years old at almost 170,000 miles miner repairs here and there Ive learned how to do them myself!

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  Be prepared for repairs - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Jason Lee - October 1 - 10:02 pm

  I purchased my Ford Fusion 2010 after reading the great reviews from Edmunds. After 5 years, Ive already had to deal with 3 repairs (replace engine fan, faulty belt tensioner, driver side door broken). The car has never been in an accident, driven 100% in Northern California where the weather is great (never falls below freezing) and garage kept overnight. I am extremely disappointed that the car has had these issues and its only been 5 years where as my 10 year old Mazda 3 has still yet to have any repairs.

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  Work car doesnt work - 2015 Ford Escape
  By Average Joe - October 1 - 3:22 am

  My employer purchased a fleet of escapes as patrol vehicles. Seats are garbage, shape of it hurts the lower back, cant sit like a normal human. Not enough space between door and center console to sit without my equipment on, let alone with a full rig. Feels like Im sitting on concrete. Armrests are non existent. Need to have the window down in winter to have somewhere for my arm. Fuel economy? 8mpg. Had the car 3 months, spent half its life being repaired. Stay away. Get a Toyota!

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  ac texas - 2010 Ford Escape
  By tra - September 30 - 4:16 pm

  Garage kept 2010 air conditioner blows hot then a squirt of cold texas and 22,000 miles cheap cheap cheaply made

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  Gas pedal get stuck and Transmission shakes - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Red Ford Focus Se - September 30 - 1:20 pm

  I bought a Brand New red 2014 Ford Focus Se this early April 2015. It had 22 miles on it when I purchased it. Anyway, now its a vehicle from hell. The Gas pedal gets stuck when I try to accelerate at any speed and when I put my foot on the gas pedal the car shakes. Ibe been in for service over 3x. I took it the Elder ford dealership and they its the transmission programming. Smh Also, the a/c sucks it doesnt blow out cold. And its an part from under the front passenger side under the seat that is just sitting there like they forgot to finish putting the car together! I feel like I got a Lemon. I really want my money back or get another Ford Focus with less problems.

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  Ford Motor Corp - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By mammie J Holloway - September 30 - 9:15 am

  Recalls this car is very unsafe for your family. Ford motor corp just want you to for get about the recalls. Rockwall Ford motor took care what corp would let them do. I ready dont think this car is safe two doors has came open while on the road my daugther could have been kill thanks to Rockwall ford that care for people to help me. The only think I wanted from Corp was to buy the car back and gave me a save one. That didnt work.

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  Beware !!!! lemon big time - 2015 Ford Focus
  By why did i buy this!!!! - September 29 - 12:46 pm

  I dont know how they rate this car a b but what ever this car has been in the shop 10 times and has 5k on it transmission is garbage and ford thinks to reprogram tcm if the fix car kicks and grinds and i see why there is a law suit for this car complete rip off and ford customer service center and case workers trying to sweep it under the rug and basically says sue us we are not buying car back even when the car will cause you to jump forward in an intersection and cause acciden. guess people have to get hurt or die for them to maybe say we need to fix this. ford is a fail in my book. and dealship says this is an issue that they dont know how to fix .

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  Cheap! thinking of lemon law - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Jacob - September 29 - 9:31 am

  I have had my car since February 2015, been in the shop three times. Have had a defective tire, and a/c vent fall apart, and they claimed they had to "reprogram" my transmission. Well i Had a road trip from Florida to Kansas and back. Well going through the mountains in Chattanooga TN, the car started shaking and got stuck in a gear. At most I was only able to go 55 and when I hit my brakes to see if itll get unstuck, it got stuck going 40. I had to literally floor the vehicle to get it to accelerate. This car is a piece of junk. I am so close to filing a lemon law. The company says its the type of transmission. Im sorry but if I get stuck in a gear and cant accelerate, that is an issue that better be fixed. Great gas milage though!

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  Absolute garbage car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By British guy - September 28 - 3:49 pm

  Im not sure why the highlighted review indicates 4+ out of 5 stars. I bought this care used with 11.000 miles, previously owned by an 84 year old lady. It shuddered so badly that it would reverberate your voice when talking. Its shifting sounds like a tool box rolling down concrete stairs. It accelerates slower than the 18 wheeler I drive for a living. Please dont buy this car, it will be more than a regret and a gigantic headache.