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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  Sad News - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By sad news - April 8 - 5:07 pm

  Well I am at 188,888 which is a lot, but I expected more from my Taurus. I have to date replaced rack and pionion steering and the alternator. Now the transmission is going as well as the strut mounts and the frontend. The car has been a disappoinment. My next car will not ne a domestic as my husband has a 1991 4runner with 288,000 on it and its going strong. Ford lost my business.

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  Unsafe and totally unreliable - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By fitzh2o - April 7 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle because of its safety crash rating. The way it has been going with this vehicle, we may find out how crash worthy it is sooner than we hope. We have only owned it since January of 2001 and it only had 18,000 miles on it. It now only has 32,000 miles. We have had to replace 2 ABS censors which were thankfully under warranty. Now, we have no brakes! You push the pedal to the floor and hope you will stop. We have been given an estimate of $400-$1000 for repairs. As soon as this vehicle is repaired we are dumping it. No more American cars for our family. Our last one was a Dodge Grand Caravan and the transmission went outon it at 60,000 miles.

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  Throttle Body Malfunction Turned it into a Lemon - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Paul - April 7 - 2:14 am

  Great car up until the electronic throttle body broke at 8,700 miles on the highway. Ford apparently had a "nationwide shortage" on the part needed and after weeks of waiting, they offered me a refund under the lemon laws. Luckily, Ford has been cooperative but its taking a lot of time to get this refund.

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  Turkey Here - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Turkey Here - April 6 - 6:32 pm

  At 45,500 miles the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced so I did $ 780. The dealer took the occasion then also to try to take my head off with an unneeded rear end replacement for a gargantuan sum. We didnt even get to talk about the repair needed to the back of the drivers front seat. I should have expected the problems, I guess, because there certainly is enough press about this car. But this was my 6th new Ford and the others were bulletproof. So I guess it was to be expected. No extended warranty and under water for a serious amount, so I guess Ill have this one for a bunch and have more tales to tell if the tranny goes likes others have. Read resignation here.

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  Vibrating Mustang - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By Bill - April 4 - 6:06 pm

  Major problem with drive line vibration on the new Mustang..Google it!!!I have a 2015 base Mustang v-6 and it vibrates between 50 and 70. New drive shaft and still a little vibration. Ford knows of this problem and they still have not issued a T S B. Would not buy with out a careful test drive between 50 and 70.

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  Buy Toyota - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Sweets - March 30 - 12:56 am

  DVD/CD player is much to be desired, cannot hookup iPod or Palm, DVD does not support dual play. Blind spots like crazy, mirrors not heated, engine sits too far back in chassis, thermostat does not work correctly, how can it be 66 all the time? Dealer does not have a clue, typically Ford Junk Found On Road Dead.

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  I hate this car - 2004 Ford Focus
  By elh430 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I have not had a single good experience with this car. It leaks when it rains hard, the braking system sucks, (I have been told it the type of brakes it has), the window adjustors fall off all the time, handles terrible in the rain, and snow. the manual handles for the windows were put on backwards, I could continue.

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  Nothing but problems - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Disgusted - March 29 - 4:40 am

  Bought an 06 GT and it ended up in the shop more than on the road. Auto trans had to be pulled at 1k miles, then the valvetrain started clattering at 2500 miles, check engine light, gas smell in car, no power, Ford dealer could not fix it and Ford corporate would not help me. Ford is not standing behind warranty. Horrible quality, will never buy Ford again.

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  Dissapointed in the focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By joe dirt - March 27 - 10:00 am

  The focus is a reliable car. The only problem is its too small, very stiff ride not to comfortable. I would think with a car of that stature you would get good gas mileage, I dont. I probably get 18 miles to the gallon when on the sticker it said 27, not even close. I cant wait to get ride of this car, I hate the focus

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  Ford Wont Fix My Mustang - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Another Lemon Driver - March 26 - 12:18 pm

  I believe it is NOT normal.There is a surge in the RPMs in neutralÂ…up to 2500 at times. This problem is intermittent. According to the engineer, this is the way the car is supposed to drive if the car is not downshifted, and also that it could be that I am not pushing the clutch in all the way. I have had this problem occur even in the absence of these supposed precipitating factors. I have had my Mustang in for service numerous times over the past year. The problem started a month after I bought the car. If it is normal, why didnt it do it when I first bought the car?