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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  A Piece of Garbage - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By Stenodactylus - September 29 - 3:06 am

  This is a totally unreliable, poorly built junk mobile and money pit. Ford built the engine out of two different metals that wear at different rates. As a result, it blows head gaskets every couple of years. They did not oficially recall it, but they had a "campaign" where they would repair it at no cost if you happened to bring it to a Ford Dealership. The first time the head gasket blue, it had my family stranded in a bad part of Los Angeles, about 600 miles from home. We had to tow it back and get a rental car to continue on. Since then, weve known its unreliable and havent risked taking it very far.

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  NOT WORTH THE PRICE - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
  By BANDIT - September 27 - 2:00 am

  CAR IS NOISY- SEATS ARE NOT VERY COMFORTABLE -VERY FEW APPOINTMENTS FOR A CAR OF THIS PRICE. COULD HAVE BOUGHT A CADILAC SEDAN DEVILLE WITH LESS THAN 10000 MILES AND ABOUT 3 MONTHS OLD FOR THE SAME PRICE WITH A BETTER WARRANTY

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  Piece of Junk - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By kevin - September 25 - 9:05 pm

  I have been a Explorer owner since 1994, this is my 4th or 5th Explorer. The worst EVER. I will never purchase ford again. My car has been to the shop many times. 4 times for transmission problem. they cant fix it and they are just jerking me around. The transmission jerks hard and it has started to bother my back. I am very dissapointed with ford and I am sure there will be a law suit either on my own or class action.

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  Watch out for the throttle body!! - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Peggy Frazier - September 21 - 2:43 am

  Apparently, the throttle body on a 2016 Ford Explorer goes out, on average, at 8100 miles. Mine went out in the middle of a very busy interstate at 8200 miles. Ford Roadside Assistance very kindly contacted a towing company and said they would have it towed to the nearest dealership in Jackson, MS. After driving a limping car to the side of an extremely busy exit, I received a computer generated call saying the towing company would reach me in 1 hour and 15 minutes!!! In the meantime, cars are whizzing by me. I took it upon myself to call the towing company who said they had a man 5 minutes away from me. Sure enough, he was there in 5 minutes. Then, when I reached the dealership, they had no idea what I was talking about and acted more or less unconcerned that there was a tow truck driver sitting in their parking lot wanting to know where to put my car. I assumed that Ford Roadside Assistance would have contacted the dealership and given them a heads up. Not the case. After waiting in the service department lounge for a while, I was told that my car would not be looked at until the next day. But, Ford would rent a car for me in the meantime. Then I learn that Ford, apparently, uses only Enterprise Rentals and the only car they would put me in was a Ford. Unfortunately, all of the Ford cars in Jackson, MS, at Enterprise Rental, had been sent to Texas in the wake of a hail storm. One car remained - a Mustang. I am a 62 year old woman with a not so good back. I thought I would be using it for, at the most, a day, so I could stand it since I had no choice. The next day, I was told that it would take a week for the new throttle body would be in. At that point, I told the dealership that I needed to go home, 3 1/2 hours away, and that I needed another car. Terribly sorry but nothing else is available. I did drive the mustang home and I was given (after insisting) another Ford car by the Enterprise Rental Company in my home town. Today I learn that the throttle body is back ordered for AT LEAST TWO WEEKS! Supposedly due to some catastrophe. I have to wonder if the catastrophe is that the part is so defective that Ford is having to replace so many that they are back ordered. Also, will I ever trust my car again? Will the new throttle body fail after 8100 miles???

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  Reliable, but.... - 2007 Ford Escape
  By escape driver - September 20 - 1:10 pm

  The Escape appears to be reliable transportation. But not much else. Driving this used Escape from Enterprise, I can see where Ford cuts corners to keep costs down. Plastic interior looks cheap. And it is. The sound actually echos around inside the hard-shell interior. Motor is weak. A/C is strong. Very good A/C. Wheelbase is too short for a vehicle this tall and this heavy. The car bounces and porposes down the road. It feels tippy. Would not give this car to an inexperienced driver. ie: teenager. Poorly designed cargo area. There is a metal arm on each side which extends 7 or 8" into the cargo space when the seats are down. Rear seat forward tilt only. They do not fold flat.

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  Ford Sucks... - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Mixedthought - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I dont think this vehicle is worth the money you pay for it. The interior is very small. You really cant fit to much in it. Too compact. Just bought the car 6 months ago and the driver door, cd player, and rear window are broken. Car is worthless.

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  poor and unrelieable - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Tara Burns - September 10 - 10:57 am

  everything is breaking, mirrors, heat seats, doors, transmissions, wheel problems that the dealer wont fix.

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  Explorer Sport - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By qtrhorsegal - September 7 - 2:00 am

  After owning my 1998 Explorer Sport for a year I am looking forward to trading it in. The vehicle handles poorly! Feeling as if youre going to tip at 40mph is not a good feeling. The V-6 engine has good pickup but the gas mileage is awful! As far as design goes, the Explorer Sport is pleasing to look at but lacks in interior design and comfort. It has good storage capacity. To sum it up, the Explorer Sport is nothing more then a Ford Ranger with a topper and I wont miss mine when its gone.

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  Never Buying Ford Again - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By katmitchell94 - September 4 - 9:19 pm

  This is my second Ford, and it is definitely my last. The gas mileage is good, but it is built so cheaply I am embarrassed I bought it. I have had it for 3 months and it is in service for the third time. It has already had an oil leak, the rear passenger door doesnt open due to the entire inner door panel falling repeatedly, and the front passenger window doesnt close completely without many tries and frustration. And as I was taking it in to service, one of the plastic covers in the back seat fell off. I paid way too much for this car, and now Im stuck for years with it, as I cant afford another new car. I do not recommend a C-Max unless you like hanging out at the dealership.

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  This is the only Focus I will own. - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Connie - September 2 - 8:03 pm

  I am so disappointed in this car. I was expecting an economy car and that is not what I got. Driving is fine in good weather, but get a little puddle and this car is thrown around. get a little snow and anthing over 35 miles an hour is a fishtailing experience. I will never own another and I dont recommend one to anyone. A set of new tires that fit this car was over 600 bucks. That was not an endearing feature.