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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  lemon lemon lemon - 2014 Ford Focus
  By mavoiture2014 - May 3 - 8:34 am

  Transmission is terrible! It hesitates, jerks, jumps, shudders and is unsafe. I bought this car brand new and the issues are becoming increasingly worse. I have had it in for repairs and the service center assured that it only needed "reset". It operated slightly better for two weeks. Then warning lights appeared stating that the transmission was too hot. So there I was with a brand new car and left stranded in a traffic jam. I purchased this car to alleviate stress of car problems and for the safety ratings. I made a terrible choice.

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  Poor choice!!! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By ericarras_81 - May 3 - 1:03 am

  I bought a used focus hatchback and at first thought it was a fun ride, that is until it began to give me problems after 2 months of driving it. First, the keys wouldnt lock my car, then the car would jerk when I would come to a stop or switch gears. Afterwards, I would put the key into the ignition but it wouldnt start and after $750 and a week later, the dealership fixed some wires "causing the problem". I only had it a week and its at the dealership again because the car died at an intersection and even though it was in drive and on it would not kick into gear. They are "ordering the part" to fix it but Im ready to trade in. Buying a ford was a huge mistake!! Never again!!

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  2011 Fiesta falling apart - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By jackflaq - April 26 - 6:24 pm

  Ive run into problem after problem with this car. - The front passenger door latch spring broke so that the latch mechanism had to be replaced. Ford sent out a recall for certain vehicles about this, but mine does not appear to be included. - The engine stalls out when coming to a stop or going up a hill (has died in stop & go traffic on the highway). - The clutch misbehaves and causes the car to engine to shudder/sputter. - The turn signal lever broke so that it does not reset after making a turn. - The steering wheel media control buttons fell off after minimal use - Sync has random issues with reading ipod media. The build quality is just poor.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2015 Ford Focus
  By twv - April 23 - 9:08 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with my 2015 Ford Focus. The transmission is so jerky, that you can not drink coffee without it landing in your lap. If stopped behind another car and you go to take off, it hesitates and then lunges forward. Had it in the shop five times, written Ford, and all say the same, "it is within Fords acceptable allowance". I guess it is okay to make a lousy transmission, as long as you also make lousy allowances. Ford does not care about customer satisfaction. I have been buying Fords for 45 yeas, but this will be my last.

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  I was dumb enough to buy 2 of them - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Jen Stott - April 11 - 2:07 pm

  Car 1 Clutches replaced first week. Tire, glove box door, water leak, bad brake booster, brakes locked up, heat air not working normally, popping in dash, front end suspension, dealer left it sit with bird poop all over so paint is now ruined. Purchased 8/27/14 been in the shop going on 120 days now. Ford refuses to fix because I hired an attorney and they are not supplying the rental vehicle.

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  I will NEVER buy another Ford - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Karen Ross - April 1 - 10:07 am

  In 2011 I bought a Ford Fiesta - within a few weeks after it started jerking and shuddering on acceleration. Long story short - after 3 repairs I was going to have it declared a lemon. The dealership wanted to put me in a Ford Focus and give me a good "deal" after all my headaches. I bought the 2012 Focus and started having the same issues - shaking, jerking and shuddering. The transmission control was replaced last year and now having the same issues. Took the car in and they said they need to replace the transmission control unit again but it will be 12-16 weeks before the part comes in because there is a huge waiting list - duh. Fix it right the first time. I am done with Ford.

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  Worst car - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Kienna Summer Shkopich-Weddell - March 30 - 7:28 pm

  I paid 500 dollars for this car and drove it for exactly one year. After replacing all 4 wheel bearings, the front right spring, plus having to refill the antifreeze every morning during the winter months in Northern Canada, I gave up and took it to the dump. I wanted to set this car on fire every single day that I owned it. I do not recommend, I would not say that this is a safe car. Much happier with my older 1990 Honda Accord.

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  Automatic Trans is TERRIBLE - 2014 Ford Focus
  By dobber10 - March 30 - 4:02 pm

  CAr has approx 13,000 miles on it and the transmission shutter/slipping is getting progressively worse. Dealer will not even talk about repairing it even though it didnt do it at time of purchase. They say it works the way it is suppose to and the service guy says they know it gets that way. Dealer should make people aware of the poor design before they buy it. I am investigating lemon laws to see what can be done but again, the dealer will not even accept an appointment to see if they can fix it. They stick to the position it is normal. We are in our 60s and this is not the first car we have even owned -- but it will be the last Focus we ever consider and possibly Fords in general.

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  Dont waste your money - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By toomanyfords - March 26 - 8:05 am

  Purchased a used 99 in 2010 with about 100 k miles on it. Within a year the transmission went out. Had it rebuilt and it did fine after that. Bought it with a small oil leak and it burned more and more oil over the next 4 1/2 years until one day the engine seized out of nowhere at 145k miles. I have to say the engine held up for a long time with obvious issues before it finally quit. But... it did have the issues in the first place. Other than that, never had any other problems with it ( lol). My overall impression of this van... well its not worth the couple thousand they go for used. Save your money.

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  dont trust ford - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By Christine Marsden - March 13 - 9:03 am

  new fiesta 12.5 worst car ever owned and every part of ford customer relations ,service,finance,and every department in ford I have had the unpleasant pleasure of dealing with .After purchasing car from new to transport foster children and my own relatives children safely to school and there various activities safely.After 3weeks of owning the car it had a intermediate fault, loss of power stalling at junctions and de acceleration it as been returned nearly every month for 15 months and still not rectified .I have been accused of being a liar because a computer says there is no fault showing and I can not drive after 30 years. Child safety is paramount to me. Trust ford they dont care