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 trouble... - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By L. Mazza - November 29 - 10:41 am

  Bought this car with 36,000 miles for $6,000 and put almost $4,000 in repairs in 4 years. Always needs alignments. ABS light came on after front brakes were fixed. Replaced rack & pinion steering TWICE. Replaced heater core and heater broke again less than one year later. Mysterious rusty radiator fluid means more problems. Mechanic said, "I wouldnt put any more money into this car." Radiator overheated last night on my way to TOYOTA dealership. Now I have a RELIABLE car!

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  A Money Pit - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By MaryBeth - November 28 - 5:25 pm

  Our Windstar has been nothing but a money pit and I cant wait to sell it and buy a Honda. In the last 6 months I have been stranded 4 times. Alternator, brake switch, ignition switch and A/C compressor have all had to be replaced. The people at Ford should be embarrassed for making such a poor quality van.

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  expect high maintenance $$$ - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By FormerFordFan-2 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  While my 1999 was under warranty I was forced to visit the dealer 4 times for repairs. But it was after the warranty period expired that things really started to go wrong. To date I have spent over $9,000 in repairs since the warranty expired. I am convinced that Ford sold me a defective vehicle and are continuing to sell this same vehicle still today. Sure the new one looks different, buts thatÂ’s just marketing hype. This vehicle hasnÂ’t changed since 1999 just ask any honest engineer or maintenance technician at Ford and they will tell you that the only changes have been cosmetic.

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  The Ford Windstar is a piece of junk - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By johnanderson - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The Ford Windstar is a piece of junk, dont buy one This is the only new car I ever bought and it is the worst car I ever owned. ItÂ’s supposed to be 100,000 mi service free 1998 Windstar LX NEW TRANSMISSION AT 75,000 MI Loose computer cables 1st week New battery first 6 months New alternator first 6 months New Serpentine belt at 30kmi New rear shocks at 50kmi 3 sets of tie rods in 65,000 mi New Catalytic converter at 75,000mi 2 new oxygen sensors 2 of 5 power locks donÂ’t work All the plastic screws are falling out on the out side And donÂ’t even ask about the crappy service department. I left Ford as soon as the warrantee ran out

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  not a good winter car! - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By brock2296 - November 23 - 3:49 am

  So I bought my car from my uncle and it had all the maintenance ever needed done to it, and, well it does not have heat, I have flushed the thing out three times in three years and and still no heat - they say that they are notorious for clogging the heating coil, what a waste to buy if there is no heat. It costs too much to get the heater coil replaced and if you live where there is snow in the winter time, this is a Danger Warning, do not buy if you dont like sitting and waiting a half hour before going anywhere to defrost your front window, I get about 15 MPG and this is all at about 112,000 miles. Good luck if you own one.

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  Constant repair needed - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By silverbax - November 20 - 8:30 am

  Bought a 98 Ford, had a good vehicle history. Every time there was a little rattle or squeak, Id take it in to try and maintain it. Bad thing: about 3-4 times a year something major happens. Fuel injector sticks and cant be fixed. A/C went out, antifreeze line ruptured, check engine comes on for no reason, and yesterday dash lights blinked out a couple of times. Sometimes parts just fall off - literally. Have to have it aligned about every six months. Spent over $3000 per year in repairs, and it still needs more work. Like the design, but I wont buy another one.

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  tyrannical tranny - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By lisa - November 12 - 6:53 am

  Had this vehicle less than 2 years and with only 62k miles it needs a new transmission. Of course the warranty is expired. All of the mechanics are aware of this problem with the 2004 tranny - and apparently so is Ford Motor Company!

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  Almost lost my life - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By i0love17 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I got my explorer in the summer and it was great and really no problems. Well i was totally wrong. Everytime i hit a pothole or a little crack in the road i felt my tires slid from underneath me and it was so scary. The winter wasnt to bad. But in august of this year i was on my way to a bears game and it was dry and i hit a pothole and slid off the road rolled three times and plus 7 months pregnant. So i wasnt driving like a maniac. It felt the tires losing grip and it was the worst thing in the world and spent 9 days in the hospital and thank god my baby was ok but it was awful. I loved my truck but hate it, especially for that reason.

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  Dont buy one - 2007 Ford Freestar
  By Jen - November 10 - 7:16 pm

  Ive had this van for a month and cant imagine why anyone would buy it with any other option out there. It rides like a covered wagon, has no nice options, cant get in without opening the drivers side first and then hit the button....even to get in the rear cargo area. I will be getting rid of it and would tell anyone to buy anything but this. The gas mileage is horrible and it rides like its 10 years old.

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  do not buy! - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By justagirl19762001 - November 3 - 8:30 am

  This car so unreliable. Have sunk about $4,000 in 3 years. JUNK! Spoken by a HONDA lover. Worst gas mileage with FFV option. Frequent repairs! Engine light on for past year no one knows why. Fuel gauge broke, electrical glitches, cooling system gone in 2003. Heating system gone in 2006. Not sure why ratings are in at 7.5. No retail value for these cars.