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 of a car - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Angry Jim - October 31 - 8:29 am

  In one year, 6 weeks in the shop. Transmission valve, EGR, main computer, rear brakes (twice in 50K miles). Couple that with Fords poor service and you have a very angry and disappointed customer. In right now for the second set of brakes, called in advance to check, yes, they have the rotors. Show up at 7:25 for a 7:30 appointment. Their service driver doesnt start till 8:00 then he didnt finish his breakfast till 8:15. Then they called me at 9:15 to tell me they really dont have the rotors. They have had my car for days at a time for warranty repairs and tell me they can take me to a car rental place. Never ever again will a blue oval sit in my driveway. Absolute junk.

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  Focus is junk - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Sharon Kemp - October 18 - 10:48 am

  This car has mechanical problems.The front stablizer link went bad at 30,000 miles along with the wiper motor &cooling sensor.At 50,000 miles the doors would lock when the car was not running & would not let me back in,neither with the key or the remote.The gages would flip and wig out when it rained.The car would jump out of gear and down shift and the gear shift would not move out of gear.Loud knocking noise coming the front and re end.When I would take it to the Ford dealership they could never find any problems when they would drive it,but How could they hear anything when the AC would be on full blast and the radio on.They thought I was Crazy.So I bought a Toyota

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  Lemon Mustang - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Total Lemon - October 15 - 2:02 pm

  Ive owned this car for just over 3 months and have had nothing but problems. The car has been out of service for almost 40 days. Just got the car back from the dealer on Friday, they had it for 26 consecutive days and cant fix a clicking/popping sound in the front end. Called Ford technical service and are sending a tech in on 11/01/06 to look at the car. The headliner is falling out -now held in place with cardboard shims, rear axle bearings and seals replaced, front and rear rotors already turned, rear quarter windows replaced because of rusty screws holding the weather strips, parking break lever replaced, finish coming of the chrome a/c vent, rocker moldings loose and the list goes on.

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  STAY AWAY FROM - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Invknight - October 12 - 2:03 am

  Had a transmission replaced FIVE TIMES IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS - ONLY TWO WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. Horrible customer service cost me $8K in legal costs just to get out of vehicle and Ford was horrible - owned four Ford vehicles before this and WILL NEVER OWN one again after - even sold my FORD stock before it hit junk price, congrats Bill Ford - you know how to ruin a family name.

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  Money Pit - 1991 Ford Taurus
  By Samantha - October 12 - 1:25 am

  This car is basically a money pit. Id be better off financially by throwing my wages into the fireplace. Everything on this car has broken. The transmission is appalling. This car is disgustingly unreliable. I would not buy another Ford product. In fact, I wouldnt even take one for free.

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  Horrible vehicle - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Ted Parks - October 10 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned eight Ford vehicles, but this 2002 Ranger had more problems than I could list here, and they were repeatedly worked on by the dealer and seldom resolved. The Company Customer Service was non-existent, and I will never, NEVER buy another Ford vehicle

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  Wish Id bought the extended warranty - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By R - October 4 - 11:11 pm

  I bought it used. With all the necessary repairs, the extended warranty would have helped. So much expensive repair work was needed that I would have been better off buying a new SUV. 4 wheel drive went out soon after purchase, engine sensor was very expensive, door wouldnt open and another door handle was going too, transmission went out too. Add me to the list of folks who will never buy another Ford product.

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  Sorry I Bought This Van - 1995 Ford Aerostar
  By momof4 - October 3 - 12:52 am

  This vehicle has cost me over $1k every year in repairs since I purchased it. From a hydraulic arm on the hatch spontaneously breaking (and flying through the van, very dangerous) to numerous engine issues, I have to give this one up. I just sank another $980.00 into it less than a week before I drove it from WA to CA. We returned from our trip last Sunday with a burned out transmission. From what Ive seen and read about this car, you either get an excellent vehicle or a complete lemon. Guess which one I got?

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  JUNK! - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Dube22 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Many problems. Wind noise problems constantly. Front end vibration problems. Replaced all tires at 20000km. Went through 4 sets of front rotors. Had front stabilizers replaced twice. Sensors malfunctioned. Brake interlock malfunctioned,..etc...etc! I would not recommend this car to anyone no matter how good of a deal it is!

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  Where was Edmunds when I needed it? - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Seattle family - September 23 - 12:06 pm

  The biggest mistake of our automobile buying lives. We like the room and the ride in general. But it is now limited to going only to Home Depot and the dump on weekends. I would never trust it outside our neighborhood. Replaced everything so far, including engine. Read the other reviews here. They wont say anything we cant say.