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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  Fun but UGLY - 1994 Ford Escort
  By Jalop - May 28 - 8:12 pm

  i havent owned the vehicle long, but it has been in my family since it was less than a year old. has been very very reliable. survived 4 wrecks. the a/c went out and requires about $350 in repairs to get it fixed. most everything in the a/c went out at the same time. it has to be one of the ugliest cars i have ever owned. horrible interior design.

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  Rear Differential Failure - regret it! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By janev115 - May 28 - 4:38 pm

  This car has always run rough - particularly the engine. Transmission had to be replaced when the car was less than a year old. The engine always had a loud whine on the highway and I had intermittent problems with the ABS light coming on and the 4x4 high light flashing. Turns out, this is all related and the entire rear differential needs to be replaced! A google search reveals that I am not alone. However, I am alone when it comes to paying the bill to fix this problem, apparently. Id never buy this car again. Right now at 79,900 miles, but the whine has been going on for years. I just thought it was a loud truck.

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  Sadly my 2011 Outshines my 2017 - 2017 Ford Mustang
  By Ross - May 27 - 12:53 pm

  I loved my 2011 so much when my son took it off to college I bought myself a 2017. Sadly the 2017 seems like a step backwards. The gas mileage is worse, the plastic exterior parts are cheap and fragile (simple freeway stone blew a hole in the front, another piece was broke by a simple shopping cart bump), the interior has terrible design errors (i.e. the seat bracing connecting back to bottom grinds into you when you exit the car (broke the cell phone in my back pocket), the plastic and cloth features scuff at every light touch, and they glued felt on the seat belt buckle to solve a clacking noise where it banged against the center console. I would have easily given my 2011 5-stars... I struggle to give the 2017 more than 3 but it does have great engine power, looks amazing, and will hopefully be as reliable in the end as my 2011. Ford, see what you can do about actually improving the model (features/performance) from year to year.

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  Transmission is out! - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Tammy - May 27 - 9:57 am

  I bought this car to get away from the high gas prices of my Ford Explorer. The car has great room. It seats 7. Comfort level is ok. I do not think of this car as stylish. However, it does fine on gas for the size. I WONT buy this car again because my TRANSMISSION is now having to be replaced. Absolutely ridiculous for a 3 yr old car with 57k miles. Since Ford had the 3yr/36,000 warranty, I am having to pay for the repairs myself. I will not buy another Ford car again.

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  BIG MISTAKE!! - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Tim Williams - May 26 - 10:19 pm

  Wanted to buy American and with the problems with Chysler & GMC we went for a ford. I wanted a Explorer but needed better milage so with really looking at any vehicals we bought the Flex. Traded my 2005 JGC. 8 days old and my check engine light came on it was only a sensor but it was in the shop for 3 days because the wrong part was ordered and I had to wait until Monday. 33 days old and my anti-brake came light on. Dealer had it for 4 days and could not find anything wrong. Reset the light & gave it back. We are suppose to drive it to Iowa for a family reunion but we are going to rent a vehicle because we dont trust it. My sister got a Traverse and is rubbing it in. Kicking my-self......

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  Someone Take Mine! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By M. Murphy - May 26 - 12:53 pm

  Year 1: gear shifter replaced. Dash electronics went nuts and computer needed to be reset. Year 2: rear shocks blew out (I have a 4 mile commute!) Exhaust hose blew and fuel filter resembled that of a car with 100k miles. Both replaced. Currently in the shop because the transmission feels like it is ready to drop. Car has 24k miles.

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  Buy American made? Ford ads are lies - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Craig - May 19 - 8:06 am

  Same as most reviews. Ford has failed. Looks are great, but deceiving. Transmission issues from day 1 with same response from dealership, "couldnt find a problem". Now big problems post warranty. Rear differential - truck shudders upon takeoff from a turning start. 1st Ford needed new engine. Guess Ill buy foreign. So what if economy worsens and jobs are lost, atleast Ill have a truck that runs. Ford has lost all integrity

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  Buy Something Else - Its Crap! - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Cathy I. - May 18 - 10:00 am

  The only thing I liked about this truck was the warning sensors for how close you are to objects when you back up. Other than that, I dont see myself buying another Ford Expedition (or Ford Anything) for a long time. Im glad I bought it - Easier to get rid of it when you own it. Ive only had it for about a year and it feels like its going to break down already. So many things squeak and there are so many interior noises that it makes the truck seem cheaply made and unsafe. Ford does have a wide variety of models to choose from but Id have to guess that one model is as bad as the next. On a positive note - the horn works well?

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  What else could go wrong? - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By SLEEK_CHEETAH - May 16 - 3:03 am

  From 2002 on up. The radiator blew up at least three times a year and the transmission went out at least once a year. The engine blew once and the battery melted once. There were check engine lights left and right. The dash went out a few times taking the headlights with it. The doors kept sticking and wouldnt open from the inside until the handles finally broke off. A few doors wouldnt open at all. I just kept fixing it all and kept saying I loved the car, now I admit I spent way too much just trying to keep it running. I spent 13,000 just buying the car, and I spent 8,000 or more just to keep it running. NOT WORTH IT!!!

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  Dont walk away from this car...RUN! - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By HateMyFord - May 15 - 10:49 pm

  Replaced brakes prematurely twice, tires before the first year of ownership was up, driver seat heater is broken, stereo goes out, car is now at dealership saying the CVT will need to be replaced. Buyers beware w/this car! Not worth it. Car is worth less than we currently owe. We are up-side-down with this car and it is no longer driveable. Ford has known about this problem but hasnt recalled or acknowledge it. It is not only a pain financially, it is also a safety issue for drivers and their families.