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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  Taurus Good Car Until The Transmission Goes - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By honest316 - December 25 - 10:50 pm

  We owned the 2002 Taurus for 13 years. It is comfortable, safe, and has a reliable motor with reasonable gas mileage. The transmission went out while on vacation. Not knowing what to do we took it to a Ford dealership thinking the repair would be reliable and last for a long time. Not so. The torque converter was replaced and we made it back home but the problems persisted. After much research I found out the transmission has a design flaw and other inherent unsolvable problems and any "fixes" do not usually last. Too bad because otherwise this was a pretty nice vehicle.

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  Worst car Ever Bought - 1996 Ford Contour
  By Driver - December 16 - 3:47 pm

  I bought A 96 Ford Contour with less than 100000 miles on it. Drove it one day transmission went out. Had it replaced and then less than 6 months later same thing. I had to replace the water pump, timing belt, serpintine belt, battery, and battery wire on this in 6 months and not to mention after replacing the cable. The car caught fire! Never buy anything stamped found on road dead again!

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  ISSUES WITH FIVE HUNDRED - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By mdarnell - December 14 - 9:43 pm

  This vehicle has been in the shop for the following to be replaced and Ford will not buy it back: amp-replaced 3 times, speaker-replaced 2 times, cd-replaced 3 times, bubbling dash-5 times. This vehicle still makes a roaring noise and every electrical noise comes through the speakers. When it is very hot or extremely cold as well as after it rains in when this noise comes up. It is so loud you have to turn the radio or ignition off. We have arbitrated and they refused to still take it back. It is going back in the shop Thursday AGAIN for them to tell us they dont know what else to do. Just want to warn those of you out there.

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  But I still love this truck - 1993 Ford Bronco
  By ariba98 - December 14 - 12:14 am

  This is my 2nd Ford Bronco. I find that it has cost me a lot of money keeping it up. The 4X4 had to have work, new brake lines, new oil pan seal. God this list goes on. I really can not complain. The motor seems very strong, but I have put so much into everything else. The only thing that I hate to say is that I have repaired the thermostat and that stupid aluminim piece 6 times on the top of my motor. But I still wish Ford would bring this rig back. I will not sell this big bad girl, Ill keep restoring her.

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  Mixed Results - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By somebode2002 - December 10 - 7:20 pm

  Ive had the car for 9 months. I was never a big stang guy but gave it a shot. The car is for people who want to give a kid who is a auto amatuer who has the time/money to tend to. After 10,000 miles had to get rear brake pads replaced and they still squeak! Plastic interior rattles at times, the auto shifter is cheap. The engine is solid. Keep getting misfiring pistons at start up, even after tune up and new spark plugs. Engine is very reliable, steering is excellent. Dont expect to be able to do any improvements since itll violate warranty. Struts and shocks are wearing down at 53,000 miles, unlike the Berreta, Toyota, and Pontiac Grand Am I had which had these problems occur at 70,000+

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  Disposable Vehicle - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Robert Copeland - December 8 - 10:00 am

  At 100,000 the transmission in this vehicle was ruined requiring a remanufactured one at 2,900.00 (including the towing). This vehicle has had all maintenance performed at the designated intervals. Immediately after purchase the transmission dumped its fluid requiring repair by the dealer. After the repair the following day it dumped its transmission fluid again. I have contacted Ford customer relations regarding the failure of the transmission and the fact that the early problems caused the later failure. I have found no one at Ford concerned enough to research my claim. Apparently it is normal for the transmission to go out at 100,000miles.

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  Getting rid of it after 2.5 years - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Joshua - December 8 - 10:00 am

  We bought this vehicle brand new. It treated us well for about a year and a half. Then we noticed that it was surging at idle. We took it to the Ford dealer 3 times to get it fixed. The first two times they could not fix it. They even hooked it up to the Ford International computer. Mysteriously when they did the 24000 mile checkup, they fixed it. Now there is an oil leak. They changed some gaskets, but it still smells like burning oil periodically. We are going to dump this car before it reaches the end of the 36000 mile warranty. We are holding our breath that it holds together unil we do dump it.

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  Ford Edge Problems - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Jason - December 7 - 8:11 pm

  If you are looking for a headache of an SUV, do purchase the Ford Edge. I have actually sued Ford and won under the lemon law statutes from this vehicle continually being in the shop multiple occurances. (as of writing this, my Edge has been in the shop a total of 38 days) Six times to get the power door locks to work. I just got the vehicle back out of the shop for a leaking transmission seal for the fifth occurence. They have replaced the transaxle, ptu shaft, changed the seal 5 times. It has lots of rattles. The vista sunroof assembly had to be completely removed and replaced. I should have known better when drving the vehicle home, and the trim falls off on the sunroof.

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  Ford - Stick to Trucks - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By nofordvans4meagain - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 6 Fords now. Never again will I own a non-truck Ford. My Winstar SEL has had major steering and transmission problems. I had a manifold problem too. Also, the interior had several items fall off. Transmission is still horrible. The new 2002 are no better. We tried one. Stay away from these vans. You will be happy you did.

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  CVT Transmission Failure - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Michael From Pennsylvania - December 6 - 9:35 pm

  Purchased new as best mileage for size and style (no one makes a wagon anymore. Never lived up to specs, hiway mileage rarely beat minimums. Comfortable and good looking, drove nicely but under powered, just to darn heavy. Lost the CVT Transmission at 52000 miles with no warning. Now Im stuck. Sorry I bought it.