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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  Waste of time and Money - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Brandon R - January 20 - 6:16 am

  I bought this car new. It had 3 transmissions, headgasket, a wheel bearing, check engine light problems, ABS light problems,and those are just the big ones before 60,000 miles. When I took it too the junk yard at 130,000 miles the cruise control didnt work, the inside lights stayed on and it chimed, the back wiper didnt work, the transmission was going out again, the check engine light never went off(which the dealer never had an explanation for), and it was VERY well cared for. I have never had anywhere near this many problems with any car and this will be the first and last ford I ever buy.

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  disappointed - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Nancy - January 19 - 5:20 pm

  My Escape needed major repairs at 55 miles (cylinder head and gasket) and again at 3,300 (serpentine belt, pulley and bearings) . I do not like the gear transition at low speeds (between 2-3 RPMs), very jerky and a big clank when put into reverse at even a small incline.

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  do not buy this car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Emilee - January 19 - 1:32 pm

  I have had my ford focus for one year and so far my ignition has gone out, my clutch has gone out, my fuel injector has gone out, my power steering has gone out, my windows have stopped going down and much more. Do not purchase this car. IT will be the worst mistake you ever make. I am still paying $200 a month for my mistake and cant get out of it because i am upside down in it.

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  AMERICAN - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By CHARLIE2323 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  YOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU DRIVE THIS CAR IT WAS MADE AND DESINGED IN AMERICA. YOUR TYPICAL AMERICAN MADE CAR, WE MAKE THEM REALLY NICE BUT AS THEY SAY ITS WHATS ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. IM SO UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO TIMES IN FOUR MONTHS. I SHOUDA, WODA, BOUGHT A HONDA OR TOYOTA I WANTED TO BE PRO AMERICAN BIG MISTAKE.

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  Ford Stinks - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Fordsucks - January 5 - 5:26 am

  Well I bought the Cobra hoping to have a fun and fast sports car with only normal maintenance required. Boy was I wrong. The brakes squeal constantly. I bought the car from waldorf ford who refuses to honor my warranty or any of the arrangments made by the SVTOA. The squeal is ridiculous.Also the exhaust system was leaking CO2 into the cabin of my car.I am very disappionted not only in the car, but in ford in general.

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  SERIOUSLY? - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Johnny H - January 3 - 7:32 pm

  I purchased a 2016 XLT in white platinum with dune leather, moonroof, 20" polished wheels. The dealer said it had every available XLT option other than 4WD. MSRP was around $42,500. I test drove the car during the day and then purchased it at night a couple days later just as the dealership was closing. As I drove off the lot, I realized the car was very dark inside. The ceiling is black, the interior lighting is minimal and the visibility is poor. I have a 2014 Expedition and it has much better visibility and is easier to manuveur than this Explorer (I noticed Car and Driver expressed similar complaints about the Explorer in its review of the 2016 model). The Expedition also has beige colored ceiling, which makes a huge difference, as well as a lot more interior lights. Why would Ford put black panels and ceiling inside a car with tan leather? Speaking of the leather, its very cheap, and instead of making it uniform in color, the fronts of the seats are tan and the back are black. The door panels are also primarily black, giving the interior a very cheap look. It gets worse. When I got home, I realized it did not have a universal garage door opener, and when i called the dealership about this, they advised me that one could not be added. $43K and no universal garage door opener? Give me a break. It never even crossed my mind to check if it had one because every car i have owned since 1996 has had one. The stereo is also a joke for a $43K car; it sounds like a one-speaker radio. In summary, the Ford Explorer XLT, even when loaded with all available options, is bare bones and clunky and I could never recommend it to anyone. Come on, Ford!

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  Very poor Quality - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By mustanggrl2005 - January 3 - 9:03 am

  This is the worst car I have owned!! Been in the shop several times. Unable to fix front end noise. Been stuck on the side of the interstate 3 times. First problem accurred before the 30 days temp tag was up. Shaker 1000 was fixed 3 times. Very hard to put fuel in it, the pump shuts off after $1.00 or sooner. Ford states No problem there!! I have had Electrical problems, E-brake locking up. rear end out, stereo not working, and the list goes on!!! If u are a mechanic then this is the car to drive!! Buyers beware! Ford needs to make some improvements!

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  boring economical car - 1994 Ford Escort
  By john - January 2 - 10:01 pm

  this car is only for point A to point B driving. every thing elsle on it is boring. its performance sucks. At high speeds it vibrates and its does not hug the corners like I wish it would. one day i was on the freeway and decided to try to keep up with a pretty new BMW m3, I did but it was hard as heck. so basicaly this car is for economical driving only not for performance or fun to drive car.

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  Electrical Nightmare - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Dan Saunders - December 31 - 5:48 pm

  The electrical system in this vehicle is the worst. The prior 1997 Expedition had similar problems. This was the last straw with Ford, we will never purchase another Ford vehicle again after continuously purchacing since 1983 and being nicled and dimed to death with problems. We will never recommended a Ford to anyone, in fact will recommend against Ford products!!!

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  bought cheap - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By mark - December 30 - 2:14 am

  Have owned a 1991 Taurus wagon before and a 1989 SHO before. Both got better gas milage. This has the standard 12 valve pushrod engine. In town average 16 mpg and on the highway 23. I have fixed 4 problems that came with the car. 1) Power Antenna-cable broke inside drum motor. $18.50 part-my labor 2-1/2 hours 2) Cruise control-Broken plastic ball that holds cable to speed control. 20 cents(4 zip ties) 5 minutes 3) Door ajar light staying & on power door locks poping back up- WD 40, 20 cents worth- 5 minutes. Spray in the door switch plates located in the end of each door. 4)Hood latch sticks-hood wont open lubricate and reattach cable. Bought cheap