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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  worst truck I have ever owned. - 2007 Ford F-150
  By voeter01 - June 18 - 8:58 pm

  When I bought this truck it was three years old and had 52000 miles on it. Sense I bought this truck I have had to have the intake manifold replaced it cracked and leaked water all over the engine,shorting out the spark plugs. The alternator burned out. The starter motor went bad.The rubber seal around the windshield has started falling apart and leaking. The interior is falling apart. The instrument panel cluster has gone bad, which I have not had fixed because of the cost. When I bought this truck I considered Ford as the best truck built. Now I would never buy another one! The truck now has 108000 miles on it. Ford has refused to acknowledge they have had any problems.

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  Terrible car transmission is horrible - 2015 Ford Focus
  By chuck1953 - June 14 - 12:27 am

  This car should be removed from the market until the transmission is completely reworked and a recall done on all those that have been sold. I have had mine about a week and I think the transmission is complete crap. It slips, shudders, jitters, and surges when starting out from a stop.

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  Kicking myself... - 2000 Ford Contour
  By spencerq - June 3 - 12:33 pm

  Im writing this review hoping that it might relieve AT LEAST the tiniest bit of intense fury I have built up from 2 1/2 years of driving this disaster in engineering. This car is the embodiment of all things evil and horrible in the world. I bought the car for $3,000 in 2012. I gathered my service records last week to assess that Ive spent ~$6,700 since on repairs (NOT including regular maintenance upkeep items). Ive had a CONSTANT recurring oil AND tranny fluid leaks, blown head gaskets, Ive rebuilt the transmission, replaced the fuel pump, replace all three engine mounts, the alternator, the radiator TWICE, the solenoid switch and more. It has only 130,000 miles & STILL HAS PROBLEMS!

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  Reliability Nightmare on 2014 Ford Escape 2.0 AWD - 2014 Ford Escape
  By itsmejs - May 30 - 9:04 am

  Nice looking vehicle that has had many issues. When I was looking for a new vehicle it ended up being between the Toyota Rav4 and the Escape. I wish now that I would have chosen the Rav4. Problems and more problems! It took Ford 1-1/2 years to fix my Escape door that would not always latch shut. At least I think its fixed now. 2.0 engine has intermittent hesitation that Ford has not been able to resolve. Rear differential noise has been repaired twice in 25,000 miles. Trans slips from 1st to 2nd and sometimes downshifts for no reason. Besides the recalls dealing with Ford customer service is just about as bad as calling my cable company.

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  TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION - DO NOT BUY - 2014 Ford Focus
  By mycrazylife681 - May 26 - 7:59 am

  I purchased this car in Feb 2014. Almost immediately after purchasing, it was shuddering, and jerking. I took it in for "reprogramming". It shuddered worse. I took it back, and it was admitted by the Ford staff, its an ongoing issue with their new transmission, and theyve increased the trans warranty to 10 years. Theyve KNOWN about this issue, and sold it to me anyway?! I had the clutch replaced, it was making grinding noises but stopped for a few months until the other day, when it lost all power for a few seconds on the road, in traffic (luckily slow), then the transmission kicked in, and my whole car lurched forward. Luckily I didnt hit anyone. Very unsafe!! DO NOT BUY!!!!

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  Dont bother - 2012 Ford Focus
  By km09 - May 20 - 3:33 pm

  Ive had nothing but trouble since the first month Ive purchased this vehicle. The clutch has been replaced 5 times.. yes, the clutch in an automatic transmission. The car shudders, and shakes and doesnt properly drive and hasnt since I purchased it brand new with only 7 miles on it. Please view other options before Ford gives you the run around too. Oh and the seats- the "mesh" option is terrible. Water will stain them and Ford will charge close to $100 to clean them, nothing can really clean them.

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  STAY AWAY from the FOCUS - 2014 Ford Focus
  By bigrob10 - May 15 - 3:47 pm

  Where do I start? I purchased a 2014 Focus, Have had it for over a year, and is falling apart. First the clutch was replaced, because it was "Jumping" and "Stalling" then 2 months later back to same problems. Now in addition to that the Tranny is over heating" light is going on as well as Brake Bulb and Tire lights are going off. Contact Ford and they say it will be 8 weeks before they can even look at my since they have so many other owners with the same problem. My Focus jumped forward in traffic out of no where and almost caused a serious accident on the freeway. Ford 100% knows about all these issues with the Focus but they do not care about anyones safety they just give the run around

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  Transmission is HORRIBLE - 2014 Ford Focus
  By dal214tex - May 14 - 2:51 pm

  My wife and I unfortunately bought this car (2014 Ford Focus SE Automatic) in April 2014 from Randall Reeds Prestige Ford. From the time we test drove the car it felt very jerky, but assumed it was from not being used to driving a small car. (Previously drove 2003 Chevy Suburban and 2007 Dodge Durango) The first week we drove the car it continued to feel very shaky at rest and worse at take off. I spoke with a gentleman from Ford voicing my concerns of receiving a defective car. He assured me it was the way the transmission was "made", and that there was no issue. WHAT?! Stay away from this car, seriously. It is a nightmare.

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  A big disappointment - 2014 Ford Escape
  By patinportland - May 12 - 11:26 pm

  I bought this vehicle thinking that for the compact space I would get descent gas mileage. well I get 17 MPG in city and 26 on highway - far below what I was told back seat has little room if front seat passengers are tall. lots of rattles and road noise. Have taken it in for issues three times in first year. The console is designed poorly and not a lot of handy storage, compared to the Toyotas or Hondas I have owned this is a great disappointment in terms of quality and design

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  Horrible car!! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By nick4118 - May 11 - 10:07 am

  This car is nothing but awful. Our model was equipped with leather, sunroof, etc. but it was junk. There was not enough room, it was too small, poor viability, and the engine was horrible. It has very little power, and it shakes, shutter, and sputters CONSTANTLY. It has been doing this since it was drove off the lot. We checked with the dealer, but other people who bought the car from other places had the same issue. I give this car two thumbs down. We now have a Dodge Dart and it is so much better!