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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  Prepare to spend on repairs - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Kevin - November 15 - 3:07 pm

  Nothing but a money pit to keep rolling down the road. Purcahsed it with 19000 miles and have spent way too much to keep it running. Most problems are major expenses. Major drive train problems $$$$.

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  Cheap price = Cheap car - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Speed Racer.. Not ! - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Its definately not a sports car, it reminds me of my parents Ford Tempo, if you want a bigger old technology motor, but a good price - this car ios for you. The Mustang is not refined, not very good in the corners comparatively speaking, underwelming looks and cheap material for the interiors. I will not keep this one very long. You do get a cheap car for a cheap price.

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  The Ford I Thought Could! :( - 2016 Ford Fusion
  By Quentez H. - November 12 - 4:44 pm

  Let me start off by saying I USE to be a Ford fan. Both my parents had ford cars, I had two ford trucks, and I just got the 2016 Fusion and let me say this thing has been my worst nightmare. The only thing I can say that I like about it is the style and color, the low apr, and the price was pretty cheap. Other than that this car has been a lemon. Also, I feel like they screwed me over on my trade in giving me nothing for it. :( When I first got the car the Throttle body went out in it. Didnt cost me nothing but time and ease of mind having only 1000 miles on the car. After that, the camera stop working in the car at about 15,000 miles. I asked the ford dealership to look into it because the car is so new and they said it would cost me $100 to fix. I said no and went on about my business. At 25,000 miles the back passenger window started making this loud popping noise when going down. I asked them to check this out and guess what. It would cost me $100 for them to do so. Lol great help right?? Next, at 62,000 miles I went over my warranty for free oil changes by 100 miles and my one free key and I called and told them I would because they were closed the weekend I could come and guess what?? When I got their they didnt know what I was talking and that I was out of luck. They couldnt get me a key or oil change. I had to state I would post a review before they would listen to me and research that I did make contact with them. After I set down with this one rude gentleman, I set down with another one and he finally helped me. SMH Great Saturday spent. Now, since Im over my free oil changes I had to take my car some where else to get it done since Im paying now anyway. I take my car their and they come back in and say Mr.Hodge you have a oil leak behind your timing cover and value cover. its been like that a while because its burning and dirty. You cant see it because its hid under your skid plate. Who have been doing your oil changes??? I said FORD!!! lol I took pictures of course. So Im pretty sure this might not be covered or it will cost me. You know $100 or more. I wonder why they havent never said anything about it?? I know they can see it and they only do my oil changes before. The car only has 65,000 miles on it and its just a little older than a year and a half. I bought the car with 36 miles on it. So I bought a lemon and started off with negative equity because they tricked me on my trade in and time I drove off the lot the value was cut in HALF. I wonder whats next?? I know one thing Im done with Ford and when I get the value of the car and what I owe balanced I trading or selling it ASAP!

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  The Real Freestyle - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By ainslie eden - November 10 - 3:16 am

  After having read the reviews on the Freestyle, Im wondering if we are driving the same car. In the first 6,000 km I have had the transmission fail, the tie rod end rubbing when I make a tight turn; something the dealer said is being looked into. So my review is dont buy one until all the bugs are out of this car.

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  taurus - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By taurus - November 7 - 8:31 pm

  got the car from my grandmother and had it for a year and took it to a auto shop, they told me i needed inner and outer tie-rod ends cv boots a wheel bearing and struts...the struts were the only thing that shouldve been replaced at that time they said. the tranny felt like it would drop every time i shifted too. also had horrible gas mileage but no reasonable explanation

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  POS - 2017 Ford Fusion
  By Cockerdogs - November 7 - 7:07 am

  Good acceleration for an otherwise poor car at a high mark up. My 2015 Fusion SE Ecoboost 2.0 was a great car. This car isnt

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  Stick to Imports - 2005 Ford Focus
  By may - November 6 - 1:20 pm

  this was my first new vehicle. in less than 2 weeks it was in service. then it was in service every other week for one issue or another. my personal vehicle was in service for a rattling noise in rear area transmission probs rear hatch not locking dome light turning on whenever it felt like it... i wont go into my experience with the service department. in short, my car was back at the dealership longer than me driving. filed lemon lawsuit ford could not buy back- so they issued a settlement check. although it is a spacious vehicle, do not buy- resale value blows not to mention reliability. if you do buy, make sure you get gap insurance!! many service depts still cant fix hatch probs.

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  Big Ol Lemon - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By michigander - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought the 02 XLT used and within a month started to experience serious problems. Dealer (Scott McNamara) indicated it went through a detailed inspection. Have replaced both rear wheel bearings, front left wheel bearing. On a long road trip experienced loud noises and two independed dealers found problems with front and rear stabalizer bars, front and rear control arms, serious leak from oil pan and others, car was not drivable. Our cost would have been a total of $3000, over two months. Dealer did not back up this vehicle so we dumped it. Will never buy another Ford product. Quality is not job one with them.

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  Would someone please crush this van - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By Why oh why did I buy - October 31 - 10:01 pm

  Suckered in by a low purchase price used - $12,000 with only 20k miles. The steep depreciation should have been a clue. Lumbering handling, decent acceleration, 20 mpg. Eats brake rotors and various other expensive things. Cupholder jumps up and down wildly. Transmission occasionally misses a shift, and pauses in an apparent neutral state for a second while the engine freely revs to the sky. To top it off, two months ago the anti-lock and brake warning lights turn on after the engine warms up. Ford dealer says its the speed control module, and it aint cheap. Power windows quit about the same time. I keep hoping someone would just steal it. Sickening ownership experience.

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  At what point should I scrap it? - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By C Horton - October 31 - 9:01 pm

  We bought this from German friends who were returning back home. They kept detailed records and had every service done and every repair done imaginable. I figured we should have a good run. We bought it with 80k miles. After 2 1/2 years, with only 98k miles Ive had to repace the transmission. The door locks never quite work and the check engine light goes on every and ever trip to the dealer/service station costs at least $600 to fix it. Im crossing my fingers to get six more months out of it as the inspection comes up at that time. Im fed up with all of the maintance costs for this poorly designed vehicle. Ford dealerships love all of the high margin work they get from this car.