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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  Cost of Ownership - 2004 Ford F-150
  By jk123 - February 5 - 6:29 pm

  Bought my 2004 F-150 SuperCrew new. Had to make a decision between the Ford and the Nissan Titan, bad decision on my part as it turns out. Currently on my 5th set of tires at 61,000 miles, had to replace brake rotors during the first break job, the tranny slips and Ford has not been any help. The customer service rep from Ford Motor Co. tells me they have done all they can do. The cost of ownership and the time spent taking this truck back and forth to the dealer is ridiculous. Sorry Ford, I have given up on you guys. If the Japanese want to take over the US truck market you should at least make them work for it and not just give it to them!

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  What a disappointment! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Katherine Wilson - February 5 - 2:35 am

  I bought this car in April of 2003 and enjoyed it for about 3 months. It began to deteriorate quickly and had a variety of uncommon and mysterious problems. Many problems came from shoddy materials. I felt trapped by the financing and had to get many rides from friends for the whole time Ive owned it. I was reminded daily of old saying "FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily." Ive really resented paying high and constant repair bills while still making car payments. I still have two years on that loan but I just got financing to trade it in and get anything other than an American car. Im looking at a Hyundai Elantra and surprised how much more comfortable it is. I will miss having a wagon though.

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  Not Ford Tough - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By I hate Ford - January 31 - 8:34 pm

  First off the gas mileage is terrible. I am averaging about 14 miles to the gallon. We had to replace the transfer case motor at 75,000 miles. It was a 500 dollar part. Then 15,000 miles and a year and two weeks later it went bad again. It was over the warranty and that was $1000 in one year! We have had very very bad rear brakes. They are drum brakes and should last at least 50,000 miles they have lasted less than one thousand miles. No wonder that Ford is losing money. This truck was not even close to built Ford tough.

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  Disappointed in Ranger build quality. - 2007 Ford Ranger
  By DJ - January 21 - 8:51 pm

  Purchased 4 cylinder with automatic 07 Ranger based in part on positive reviews. Found truck to have poor build quality with little support from Ford. Makes excessive vibration from exhaust and very loud transmission whine in low gear. Dealer and Ford customer relations say this is normal for this type vehicle. Vehicle in shop 4 times within first month of ownership. Paint on tail gate and bed sides has large metallic runs. Door out of alignment. Ford fix for exhaust vibration is to install clamped on weight on exhaust pipe aft of converter. Fixed door alignment problem. Im afraid to have paint work fixed as the color wont match. Buyers, better due your due diligence before purchase.

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  Typical baseline Ford! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Frank Furter - January 20 - 10:44 pm

  Basic gas saver with no frills......poor quality interior with mostly plastic components! Stock Radio is absolutely awful! Good gas saver on the road.

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  Why cant Ford build a reliable transmission - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By Why Fords suck - January 17 - 3:25 am

  This is a vehicle that is rarely used, particularly over the last two and a half years since I drive a more gas thrifty 1999 Nissan Sentra. The vehicle has received regular maintenance per warranty, and yet at 58,000 miles is diagnosed with a failing third gear on an automatic. We had the same type of trouble on our 1991 Ford Taurus Wagon. Its transmission was replaced under warranty at 29,000 miles, and failed again about 50,000 miles later, at which time we all but gave the vehicle away as a trade-in on a reliable 1997 Honda Accord. The Ranger never got better than 20 miles to the gallon, and required premium fuel in the summer or when hauling any load. I hope Ford goes bankrupt.

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  Windstar - Maybe it will get you there - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Nancy - January 12 - 9:36 am

  This van has been a total disappointment. Weve had problem after problem, some of which left me stranded on the side of the road with my three kids in the car. Problems range from transmission to electrical to mechanical. Every problem that results in a visit to the Ford Service department takes days to fix. I bought the van because of the high safety rating - I didnt feel safe stuck in the breakdown down lane of I-95. I cheaped out and didnt buy the Toyota Sienna back in 99, I wont make the same mistake this time. I hear Ford is getting out of the minivan business due to lack of demand of minivans. They must mean lack of demand of their poorly built piece of garbage van.

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  Poor reliability - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By wind - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Within three months of ownership, I had a lot of engine problems! I wasted a lot of my time, as well as money sending my truck to the repair shop for expensive mechanical problems. The customer service complaint line was a waste of time. The trade value for this vehicle is another sad issue. If I want to trade my vehicle , I will lose 3,000 from the blue book value! I will never buy another FORD!

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  2006 Ford Freestar - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By V. Blondahl - January 11 - 4:54 pm

  We have approx 5000 Km. on this vehicle as of today. It has spent 10 days in the shop since purchase. The computer has been replaced, a correction for excessive front wheel vibration has been performed, (a steady buzz-like vibration is still felt in the steering wheel). The engine knocks and rattles and rpm fluctuates at idle. We have a 98 Plymouth Voyager with 260,000 Km. that runs smoother and quieter than this new Ford. At approx. 700 Km. we asked for a replacement vehicle, offering to pay a fee for the accumulated mileage the dealer refused. I completed a customer satisfaction report listing the problems with this vehicle and Ford did not even bother to respond.

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  Stay away from this vehicle. - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Grace - January 3 - 1:11 pm

  We bought our 2001 Windstar in 2002 with 11,000 miles. We had to replace the transmission at 40,000 miles. We called Ford and they just pretty much told us too bad for you. They were trying out a new transmission and we were one of the unlucky ones. It gets horrible gas mileage and it seems to always be in the shop for the same problem. Next time it will be a Honda or Toyota for us! The Ford wind star is junk.