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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  Great middle-of-the-road car - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By templedf - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Taurus with 30k miles, and at 110k, Im only just starting to have some mechanical problems. For price/performance, a slightly used Taurus is really a great deal.

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  Love driving it...when it starts - 2015 Ford Fusion
  By Byron Hazard - July 10 - 1:13 pm

  I have the SE 1.5 Ecoboost. In terms of the engine, it is either eco or boost, never both. I have achieved as high as 45 MPG when doing mostly highway driving in good weather. Driving in colder weather and/or with a heavy foot will bring you down to around 27 MPG. My car says my average is just north of 33 MPG. Acceleration is good once the turbo kicks in when in sport mode as long as you pick the correct gear. While the 1.5 is not much faster than the 2.5, it feels faster and more spirited; it is absolutely worth the extra $800. The drawback to the small displacement motor is that added weight decreases acceleration dramatically, but since I drive solo most of the time, its not a big deal. In regards to the select shift, it is not instantaneous, but shifting .5-1.0 seconds before you want it to shift fixes that issue. The ESC on this car is amazing. The traction control is good, but not so good that you cant easily spin your tires if you step on it (unlike my previous 2014 Mustang that couldnt spin ever). While being easier on the throttle, the TC works great in the winter. Overall, the handling is superb. In the comfort department, I have zero complaints, and I am 6 4". I have taken this car on 14 hour trips and it is amazing compared to other vehicles, especially Ford Super Dutys. The overall design and technology that this car has is wonderful. Now onto the bad. I have had at least on of my windows frozen shut almost every day this month with no visible ice on them. Also, the trunk likes to freeze up as well. I have never had a car so prone to freezing up, but the temperature has fluctuated higher and lower than the freezing point a fair amount this month in WI. The largest issue that my car has is a parasitic draw on the battery. It has been dead five times in the 21 months that I have owned it, once in as short as 12 hours. Ford cannot diagnose the problem, so they extended my warranty, but will not give me any real incentive to get me in a new car. That being said, I am going to cut my losses (resale value sucks, trade-in is half of MSRP in less than two years) and get a 2017 as soon as the normal rebates are higher because when I buy a car, I want something that starts up every time. The Fusion is a wonderful car, and there are plenty of perfectly functioning ones out there, and I hope for better luck next time.

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  Top Economy Car - 1999 Ford Escort
  By 99LXSPORT - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is just like any other basic economy car with a kick. The car has an awesome look from behind and side but from front looks really girly, but that all can be changed by taking the orange plate out of your headlights. The 2.0L Split Port Induction engine produces a solid 115 HP and 125 lb/ft of torque good for the SOHC 8V valvetrain. The interior style is solid, just a CD player and you have a solid car.

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  Sad to see it go - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By Erin - July 10 - 1:30 am

  The 2006 Freestar is the best vehicle Ive owned. It was my first "real" car purchase (my first one that cost over $4k) at a time that I had young kids and Scouts to haul frequently. It was a program car with about 28k miles on it when I bought it. I got the Ford Certified warranty with it, which I later used to repair a bad wheel bearing. Other than the wheel bearing, Ive had NO problems with this car. Ive only replaced tires, brakes and plugs & wires (as prevention at 75k miles). Unfortunately, with only 92k miles on it, Im faced with having to let it go. Its begun to get some rust on the inside bottoms of the doors, which will soon come through to the front. (We live in North Dakota, and deal with salt and other melting solvents on the roads). The bigger concern, though, is that the drivers side wheel well is rusting out, which has loosened the panel that holds the ring that the third-row seat clips to inside. The ring moves, and Im certain that if I had anyone in the back row in an accident, the seat could pull loose, flipping them backwards and creating head and neck injuries or worse. Id hoped to keep the van for a few more years, and we may still -- but well have to use it as a 4-seat vehicle, instead of 7. And if we pass it down to our teenagers, we may remove the third row to eliminate the temptation of cramming friends in the unsafe third row. Ive loved having the extra space that the third row has allowed by folding flat, and how the second row bucket seats tip forward for extra cargo room. And I especially loved having that space without paying the extra $10k for Stow-n-Go in a Caravan. Mine had the leather seats -- and the drivers seat has worn quite a bit over the years. Overall, its been a great vehicle with nearly no problems. Just wish the body had held out longer. UPDATE: Shortly after posting my review, I found out there was a recall on my van -- just not on MY van. I wasnt in a state included in the recall for the rusting wheel well -- but I live 1 mile from the border of a state that was included. I called Ford and they agreed to have it checked out by the local dealer and within a few hours, Ford had agreed to replace the wheel well and it was in great shape again. Safe to use the third row seat again! There is still a bit of rust forming, but Im in N.D., with a lot of snow and salt on the roads, so its understandable. I now have about 98,000 miles on the van and its still running great, so I hope to get several more years out of it.

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  More time in shop than on road - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By bisjoe - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 80k miles,after 2 weeks had check engine light, turned out to be cracked head. Determined to be factory defect! Had head replaced, new one sucked a valve into piston. Dealer paid for new long block. Since then had another check engine light, apparently tech damaged gasket on EGR when swapping engine. Paranoid now, always looking for that orange "check engine".

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  It coulda shoulda been a better idea - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Mr. G - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I too had the trouble with Check Engine Light. Dealer told me at 80,000 that the #4 cylinder had a head gasket leak. PLug was carboned up they said and it was anti-freeze. Funny no antifreeze in the oil! They started to take it apart to replace head gasket and found the intake was all carboned up. Two cans of brake cleaner($3 ea,) and $350 bucks and it was fixed. They denied the head gasket was a problem anymore. Even Ford said it was fixed. Had the intake cleaned again at 100,000. Check Engine lite went out and then came back on and will not go off even when you disconnect neg terminal.

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  Problems with console in dash - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Brenda - July 8 - 2:56 pm

  Overall, I really enjoy the Five Hundred, but there are some problems. The lid on the console in the dash bubbles in the heat/sun. Ive seen it on 6 of 8 new Five Hundreds on the sales lot at the dealership. Ive had mine replaced 3 times in as many months. Ive also had to have the transmission fixed after only 5,000 miles. The vehicle hasnt been the same since. If Ford can work out the kinks, this car will by FAR be an incredible vehicle!

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  Shop for deals - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By miller - July 8 - 2:03 pm

  I am a Canadian owner. Looks, drive and interior a-ok. Mileage great--rated for 25 mpg on highway. Getting about 28 mpg on a Canadian gallon (@60-65MPH) which is about 21 mpg on a Us gallon. Owned an Infinity QX4 for about the same list price. Had it for 14 months and sold it into the US for almost what I paid for it. $48,000.00 Canadian minus tax. Bought demo Eddie Bauer for $33, 000.00 Canadian.

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  Ford please bring back the SHO - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By Ed Kimmel - July 8 - 2:00 am

  These cars were one of the best buys in automotive history, when looking for my second SHO I wanted to create the original feeling with a 5-speed and a hot clutch, but ford had eliminated the manual models. the 1997 British racing green SHO has every option including a hand free car phone, C.D. changer in the trunk and some really beautiful wheels to boot. great lines with really great performance, (even the gas mileage is 19\24 is good) at 71500 miles nothing but the antenna mast has had to be replaced, also 1 battery and a new set of tires at 42599. I would highly endorse these cars for their performance for $$ equation , its it great!!

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  reliable - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By sugar04em - July 8 - 2:00 am

  All in all, this has been a very reliable vehicle. It is my dads car, but Im the only one who drives it and its my first car. It has 114,000 miles on it now and Im taking it from NY to FL this summer, and Im pretty confident that it will do fine.