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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  thanks for nothing Ford - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By dennis m - October 6 - 6:43 pm

  This car was purchased with the expectation that it would last for maybe 150,000 miles has been a nonstop headache. on third power steering pump, constant electronics problems, $3200 spent on tranny rebuild, two bad door lock actuators, thank you Ford for ripping me and my family off. I did not think I could afford a Honda but have found out I couldnt afford not to by one. what are we supposed to do now? this Windstar is worthless is now in the shop because of water leak been fun hauling kids in kingcab Nissan all week.

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  Problems after Problems - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By jcbr - October 4 - 2:00 am

  So far, we have been to the shop close to a dozen times. The car would sputter when idle at traffic stops, etc. The dealership couldnt figure out what was wrong the first 4 times I visited. Then they determined it was a bad wire. Finally, the car stalled, and they identified the fuel pump as needing to be replaced. Now, the car is sputtering again. I think im going to buy another car.

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  Ford is bad to deal with. - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By mbuch65650 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had trouble with this car since I have had. It left my wife stranded on the side of the road and Ford did nothing to help. I had to even pay for the rental car. I have kept haveing touble with the car and Ford refused to fix it. I was going to sue but the law is fixed to be in favor of the auto makers. I would be better off to sell it.

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  My car is a loser - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Scott - October 2 - 4:43 pm

  We bought the car with 65,000 miles and within 5 months had to put in a transmission and a motor mount. Ford helped with the costs but we were still out $2,000 dollars. Then the trunk latch failed. Then we started with the electrical problems. We went though a couple of batteries and then had to disable the alarm which kept going off for no reason. We finally had it working Ok for a couple of weeks and put new tires and another battery in. I guess I should have waited, because then the #3 piston blew, time for a new motor. When we tried to trade it in we were told $100.00. If this car was not such a piece of crap I would turn it into a planter but I would hate to waste good dirt

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  Not Happy at all! - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
  By Laurie - October 2 - 11:43 am

  Ive owned my Explorer and ever since I had it I was unhappy with it. I had to replace the front end, brakes, shocks, tires since Ive owned it, most within the first year of purchase. The thing I hate the most is its unstability in snow, The vehicle takes off on its own without warning leaving you in the ditch even in 4wd. I just dont feel safe in this vehicle and I am looking for something better.

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  Poor build quality and materials - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Worst Ford bought - October 1 - 9:06 am

  This is the worst new car Ive ever bought. After only 1000 miles, I have more defects than other cars having >100K miles. I am appalled this car ever made it off the line. Trunk leaks, bad window regulator, dash and door rattles, failed side sensors, loose sun visor, all before the first trip to the dealer. Why buy this car?

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  lacks reliability and quality components - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Rachel - October 1 - 7:51 am

  I bought this 4 yrs ago, used. So far I have had to fix the AC/heater 3 times, fix the parking brake twice (soon to be 3 times as its going out again) and replace both the transmission and the CD player. And now theres an electric problem that is causing my emergency brake light and emissions system warning lights to come on for no reason, as well as causing failures in my CD player, dashboard lights, and gas gauge.

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  Transmission Leak - 2008 Ford Escape
  By unhappyfordowner - September 29 - 7:49 pm

  Took my 08 escape in today and was told the ac condenser was broke and that was why my transmission fluid was leaking. Have an 8 year warrenty on this car and ofcourse this problem is not cover because it is not part of the drive train. So now its costing me 500 dollars to fix it plus 40 to be told what the problem is. I am not happy at all with ford, if they know this is going on and not doing anything about it they are pretty much screwing us on purpose. I will keep my car but not sure I will buy another.

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  So close, but with annoying flaws - 2009 Ford Taurus
  By Ted in NH - September 28 - 12:40 pm

  Driving position is one of worst I have had, pedals too close, steering wheel too far, lack of seat side support, low beams are terrible, bad torque steer, subject to wind gusts, noisy engine under acceleration, whiny transmission shifts that passengers ask about, radio display disappears unless you have the dash display up full, cant rest arms on rests and reach steering wheel but cant reach the 10 and 2 wheel positions because wheel is so far away, you end up leaning forward to reach the top of the wheel to turn, pushing the wiper sqirter can turn on signal lights or brights, most anoying is the intrusion of the front wheel wells into the foot wells - uncomfortable

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  Just A Stang - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By trrbo - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife in 2000. The next day went out and put 2 stage flows on it to make it rumble. It guzzles gas, is a little sluggish on the bottom, but once it gets going it is fairly fast. My Ford F150 has more torque and is quicker off the bottom. Overall, it is fun to drive, but is very loud (ragtop)and the tranny has already gone out. Thank god it was under warranty. It has been a fun car, but it rattles a lot and feels loose with only 27,000 miles. I wont buy another one.