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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  Nothing but a Lemon - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By familydc - April 30 - 5:14 pm

  This van has been nothing but a nightmare. We bought it because it was a really nice looking van, smooth riding, and the movie feature for the kids. Within one week (we bought it from single owner- 30,000 miles) and we had to fix the passenger window motor. We have a reoccuring issue with flashing interior lights, Advance track button that lights up (which we have replaced multiple sensors), now the Vcr wont take a tape 90% of the time. The passenger window again doesnt function and the doors are a little sensitive at times and dont shut properly. The most costly was two years in at about 60,000 miles, we had to replace the transmission. After all of this, no more Fords for us!

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  Turning out to be expensive - 1996 Ford Probe
  By Brian - April 29 - 11:46 am

  I bought this car for 2,500 back in may and have had to spend another 3,000 in repairs. its turning into such a hassle. when its running good its a great car. pretty quick, very good handling, but once again not very reliable.

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  2008 Ford F150 - 2008 Ford F-150
  By KatDaddy - April 28 - 12:06 pm

  To Whom It May Concern: RE: 2008 Ford F150 Supercrew (Vibration start at 55/60 mph) We purchased this truck February 17, 2009 without a test drive. On Saturday, February 21, 2009, took truck for the vibration to Classic Ford, sat for 4 hours, then was told to come back Friday, February 27. On that day, Friday, 2/27, they “road forced” balanced the tires and was there for 5 ½ hours. Went back on March 3, 2009, they told me they put 4 different, new tires on the truck and balanced them and was there for 7 ½ hours more. Went back on March 6, 2009, they “re-balanced” my tires and told to come back Monday, March 9, 2009..that day, they “forced balanced” the tires again. Then I was told o

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  Irritated with Ford Motor Co!!! - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By Rachel - April 27 - 7:23 am

  My dad gave me the car 2 years ago. I have loved it up until recently.Its been a well maintained car while both of us have had it, more recently, really stupid things have been going wrong with it, like the heater hose, but guess what they dont make those heater hoses any more...by the way the are a molded maze of nightmares,the master cylinder was just replaced with the brake booster too, and the cam shaft position sensor went bad, dont go by the diagram to replace it, you will never find it. The starter is out on it now, due to an oil leak and I had to replace a battery, for the second time, 90 bux they are for that car. i liked the car, until ford stopped makin parts for it!

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  Fords are junk - 2002 Ford F-150
  By LAD - April 27 - 5:38 am

  I read a lot of the reviews, some say it would be great if not for XXXX. I say it is lousey truck because: At 20K it needed a complete brake job, rotors, included and the seat plastic clips broke. At 40000, clutch went out. Mose said it was a old truck (at 4.5 year?). I have had others last over 200K. At 52K, brakes start acting up. Needed a new brake job, did the pads and turned the rotors. At just under 60K, Brakes are acting up again, and the shops says replacement or rotors is needed. At this rate the cost of repairs is over 1/2 the cost of the truck. Toyota here I come, let the usa auto go under, who needs the junk?? My 4th and last ford

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  Went Downhill Fast - 2007 Ford Focus
  By NDO - April 26 - 9:37 pm

  My husband and I got this car less than two years ago brand new. We only use it for commuting to work so it has low mileage. It doesnt get the posted fuel economy.. 6 months ago it started shuddering at stops. They told us it was a transmission leak and supposedly fixed it. Two weeks ago it began dying at stops so they replaced a tranny gasket. Now only two weeks later, its shuddering, dying, and has a fast leak of transmission fluid puddling everywhere. We can smell it as we drive, too. Ford is putting a bandaid on a big hidden problem and were thinking of trading this lemon in before the warranty is out and were stuck replacing a transmission out of pocket.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Laura M - April 20 - 4:43 am

  Although I have enjoyed this vehicle because I have had very little engine problems I am DISGUSTED with the paint problems. A few months ago I noticed blisters in the paint job on hatchback and hood. Now the paint is just peeling off and no coverage. I have heard and read literally hundreds of complaints...yet Ford will not listen. This is a serious problem as my vehicle now looks awful.

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  Definitely Dont Recommend! - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By crit - April 19 - 5:53 pm

  I bought my Explorer new because it was a nicely designed, comfortable vehicle. Unfortunately after about 25K miles many things went wrong. Mostly minor, but very annoying. Ford did not fix all of them and told me my emergency brake (pads?) needed changing. I never use that and was quite surprised to hear they came out in "rusted chunks". Ford did not pay for it. Other problems include hesitant starting, hesitant blower motor, rear window molding that cracked in the cold, buzzing speakers, and a/c "brown outs". I would not sell this vehicle to anyone I know (as Ive done with all my past vehicles). I just dont see it holding up much longer.

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  Run away fast! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Forditaboutit - April 19 - 5:14 pm

  I had this car for only two years. It developed a problem with the spark plugs that caused it to die (momentarily) when I hit 70. A thousand dollars later, that was fixed. Then the transmission went. Two thousand dollars later, that was fixed. Then, just last week, a piston rod broke free and destroyed the engine. This car was less than five years old, and had less than 100,000 miles on it. Never again. I am done trying to support the domestic auto industry. I dont expect much from a car. But I certainly expect more than the Escape provided.

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  Might Be a Mistake - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By mike - April 19 - 11:31 am

  I bought this truck used and within 6 months i have had to replace the U- joint on the drivetrain, the entire braking system, heater core and the heat has also stop working and the dealership has no idea why.