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:

• 

  Ford should recall these transmissions - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Kim rice - September 22 - 7:40 am

  The transmissions in these cars are junk I totally feel like the sales people are aware and instructed to hide everything and get rid of these cars at any cost .... I got totally screwed..... I feel ripped off and lied to I pay cash for this car and its been in the shop 4 times in less than a year 2 new clutches have already been put in. I wanted to trade it in and Ford refused by saying I would not get half of my money back on the trade in that I paid cash for this car ...one week after I bought it. Ford needs to recall these transmissions or at least stop making them if youre buying one get ready to be treated like its not fords problem. I bought this car for my daughters graduation for her to use in college and its sitting in my driveway right now I dont even want her driving it its so unsafe Thanks ford thanks

• 

  Im losing my job and livelihood over this thing! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By John the car guy - September 20 - 10:03 am

  WARNING: 6 Paragraphs Long! Patient/caring readers only The number one thing you have to watch out for is that ridiculous auto/manual/automatic transmission. In all due honesty I absolutely love everything else about this car. I love the seats, I love the handling, I love the entertainment system, I love the engine, and I love the color and style. But that transmission is such a negative that it takes away all the positives. I cant enjoy the rest of the car when the transmission never shifts correctly. Its most annoying habits to me were the loss of acceleration in 3rd gear and up. 1st and 2nd gear pulled just fine. Whenever it shifted into 3rd, there would always be a nasty chattering sound and acceleration would drop. Next, the transmission would not let me accelerate to passing speeds on the highway, especially on an incline. I put the foot down, the transmission downshifts, the car starts to accelerate, and just as soon as the engine picks up in RPM, it up shifts, killing the acceleration. I found that to pass effectively in this car I had no choice but to give it full throttle. Not what I call an economical pass. Now, this is ALL bad news about the tranny... now let me explain the title of my review. My car is sitting at my workplace, collecting dust and God knows what, because the transmission cant figure out what gear it was last in and therefore IT WILL NOT START. This is a major issue that I have read HUNDREDS of reviews on from loyal Focus owners. Its just 2000 miles out of its powertrain warranty, so Ford is giving me the middle finger and has the audacity to tell me that its a normal issue (a normal problem... who would have thought) and that Im already looking at roughly $2000 to get it fixed. Problem is... Im a low level bachelor who doesnt exactly have the largest savings account built up in my young existence. I know it may have been stupid to finance a car without a respectable financial foundation, but Ive always known the Focuses to be very good cars. I got a decent deal with my non-existent credit, and I could afford it, and then some. Paying for preventive maintenance is not a problem for me. Paying for extensive repairs when Ive done my part in keeping the car stays in tip-top condition IS a problem. So right now, Ive got a dead car sitting at my job 24 miles away, my bank account is getting thinner, and lets just say my family and friends are too busy to help out a brother in a time of great need. I am in good with my boss, but he called and told me that he cant keep flexing for me and will have to let me go and hire someone else. If I lose my job, then I lose the car. And if I lose the car... well... fat chance getting another job to buy another car with because with no car and cant transport myself to and from a job and this is just a spiral of doom developing before me. All of this... because Ford basically released an overly-complex, software-dependent, unproven and flawed transmission design to the public that can and WILL fail. After reading so much dirt on the transmission, I drove to work everyday feeling fearful that it would let me down... and it happened. I cant hate the car as much as I can hate Ford for such an asinine support. Expensive repairs... failed repairs... DEATHS. I have come across so much material from other Focus owners that has made me decide to NOT have it fixed. Hopefully I can find some way out of the loan and get myself in something with a good old fashioned manual transmission before I lose my job and/or my life over this mess.

• 

  Ford should be ashamed - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Dale Smith - September 11 - 11:29 pm

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!! The dual clutch transmission is a joke. Ford has had chronic problems with this for 5 years yet they continue to produce this transmission. The transmission has as much trouble getting in and out of 1st gear as a 15 year old with a learners permit. I honestly cant tell what the 2.0L engine can do because whenever you jump on the gas the transmission hesitates trying to figure out what gear to use or the clutch starts slipping as you are trying to merge into a tight spot on the freeway. I drove the car for 2 painful years and just traded it in for a Prius. With 29K miles I only got half what I paid for it and I consider myself lucky to have gotten that much. I will never buy a Ford again!!!

• 

  Car shut off at 70 mph - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Jessica - September 11 - 5:22 pm

  First let me say, I love my car. Except for one small problem, it keeps trying to kill me. My problem started in August of this year, the car would turn itself off while driving but would immediately turn right back on. We took it in for repairs at the dealership we bought it from. They kept it for 4 days and then called us to come get it. They said they couldnt fix it because they couldnt duplicate the problem. I called Ford Corporation and talked to their regional service area manager. She seemed very pleasant and arranged for my car to stay with the dealership for awhile longer and even made sure I had a rental. At that point I was very pleased with the service I had received. I bragged to everyone about it. I get a call from the dealership staring they reprogrammed the transmission control module on my car and I could come and get it. After four days of having my car back, I continued having the same program. This time I had a video of the incident. I started recording the driving of the car after the issue happened a second time. I took the car back into the dealership. Theyve had it for over a week now. They cannot duplicate the issue and all but ignore the fact there is a video. I called the Regional lady back and she was horrible. She told me to drive my and that the issue will just eventually get worse. I asked her how long was I suppose to drive it, until the warranty was up or I died in an accident? While this issue has gone on, the car has stopped dead on the highway while driving it. No control, no power. Just dead. This car is very dangerous.

• 

  Worst vehicle I have ever owned! - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By FORD, Never again! - September 10 - 8:32 pm

  I purchased a 2001 Windstar, brand new in October of 2001. Since new, this car has been nothing but problems. Major safety issues including the rear axle and front subframe (which are all over the internet), make this vehicle unsafe to drive. I have to say that FORD motor Company SUCKS, since they chose to not fix/replace my rusted and subframe. The metal completely failed and the subframe is ready to collapse! Additional problems include the instrument panel cold soldering failing, the intake manifold gasket failing, the plenum (which is sometimes called the upper intake manifold) isolated bolt gaskets/grommets failed, two alternators, one fuel pump, camshaft position sensor, coil pack, the struts, and the transmission all failed This van is a piece of crap and in my opinion, FORD SUCKS! This is the last FORD I will ever buy.

• 

  Worst mistake Ive ever made - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Kabasta Edward - September 8 - 1:21 am

  I cant begin to say how much I hate my car. The transmission gets fixed all the time, the alternator fail, battery failed, sterling failed, interior melted and my plastic door closer broke while making a high speed turn. I have had to use Fords roadside assistance 4 times in 3 months. Worst car Ive ever owned and Ive bought some cheap cars!

• 

  What Ford calls normal is dangerous - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Americas guest - September 4 - 3:47 pm

  Afraid to pull out. The car lurches between gears in the low gears. I hate it. Worst car I have EVER driven. Lots of bells and whistles but...the seats are too small for my 6.2 husband. The noise and rattles are numerous. Water pools in the ridges of the trunk and hood. And the gas mileage for the size is only fair. I wish I had purchased the corolla instead for the same price. BIG mistake.

• 

  STAY CLEAR OF FORD FOCUS, ALL HAVE TRANNY PROBLEMS - 2014 Ford Focus
  By GRD123@YAHOO.COM - September 3 - 7:14 pm

  Research complaints, shifting transmission, dangerous

• 

  SLIPS & SHUDDERS in low gears !!!! - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By K Turk - August 28 - 1:30 am

  Vehicle has known problems with the 6 speed automatic clutch assembly. They have so many widespread problems that the primary component is back ordered with Ford Motor Company for many months. The unit slips and shudders at slow speeds. Internet search this problem and you will clearly see this is NOT the vehicle to purchase !!! The first time the car was in for this issue the dealership had my vehicle 6 consecutive weeks.

• 

  Not Impressed at all - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Hypan - August 27 - 5:30 pm

  The transmission is a pure failure. Shutters like crazy under standard acceleration. The dealership and Ford are reluctant to provide a viable solution to this problem. I fear this car wont last at all. It will literally start shaking itself to pieces. Very dangerous when turning into streets as it just shitters and wont accelerate. During my research I have concluded that most (if not all) of the recent Focus models with auto trans suffer from this horrendous issue. Ford has been less than helpful in getting this straightened out. Very disappointed in the overall performance of this model as the looks and interior are top notch. Just steer clear of this one and save yourself the headache.