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:

• 

  A get around town car. Not one for a long journey. - 2001 Ford Escape
  By ilovedodge - October 7 - 7:03 pm

  The Ford Escape is a great car for getting around town its not great for going over 50 miles in one way. Maybe if your under 6 foot tall this car would be more comfortable, but for me, its not. Seat are kind of hard and dont provide much support. The front wheel drive makes it hard to handle. And its a bitch to control on windy days. The body is too narrow in comparison with its height.

• 

  Looks great, but it ends there. - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By wasteofmoney - October 7 - 11:22 am

  My wife loved the looks of the new explorer so..she got a 2013. From day one I thought it a slug, noisy on the highway and just plain mediocre. AT 30,000 mi the paint started bubbling on the aluminum hood, I brought it to ford at 36000 so it would be covered by warranty.The dealer said it was obviously a defect but Ford wont cover it.They dont have to, read your warranty it is only covered if it perforates the body panel. Besides the leaking gas tank that was pouring out all over my garage my other complaints are mpg like a v8 with 4 cyl performance. Terrible slushbox tranny

• 

  Mediocre - 2011 Ford F-150
  By spenceratx - October 7 - 9:15 am

  I bought the 2011 XLT 4x4 ecoboost supercrew as I needed a larger truck for kiddos. Having driven a Tacoma, that I LOVED, for 13 years, the Ford was going to have to win me over. The acceleration was strong, and the tech features on the inside were pretty good, but thats where the positives ceased. The looks were bland. As others mentioned, the fuel economy was well below advertised - 14.5mpg in mixed driving in the winter. The turbo would flutter on and off under very light acceleration. I didnt want to be holding the bag when it fell apart so I sold it. I come from a Ford family, but if this is what the best selling truck is. No thanks. Im driving another Tacoma(4D), and love it.

• 

  2011 F 150 4wd ecoboost experience.... - 2011 Ford F-150
  By jpope02 - October 7 - 12:41 am

  When its well its great! Purchased NEW, Doors clunk on rough road surfaces. Been adjusted at dealership 4 different times. Doors still clunking. Ford has NO solution and will not admit to the problem....numerious calls to Ford customer relations been stonewalled! They cant fix this in warantee but say NOW it can be fixed out of warantee if I pay for it! This is @%x#!!!. Timing chain "Death Rattle"... Ford say this wont hurt a thing till it breaks or jumps time and and destroys motor Ford ignored this in warantee but says its a $2800 problem for me now its out of warantee...Comfortable,fun truck to drive!! Oh, poor millage.. dont believe Fords 22mph claim, it more like 12 mpg!

• 

  THINK before you buy a Fusion - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By captain77450 - October 6 - 9:44 pm

  The plastic rear end has horrible quality. There are 3 or more defects in the surface around the rear license plate on all of these. The rear doors, the front and rear bumpers and the rear tail lights do not line up well. The front door interior arm rest extends into the A-frame and thus sticks you in the rear end every time you enter the car. Mine has < 1500 miles and has left me stranded TWICE, with a dead battery. When the battery is dead you cannot unlock your car or get into the trunk without breaking the front drivers door handle to expose the keylock. Even then you cannot open any other doors or the trunk. You cannot move it because it will not come out of park....thanks Ford.

• 

  Wont Stop Running - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By carrie77 - October 6 - 3:46 pm

  I bought my 2011 in 2012 it was a program vehicle. I love it and up until this year I had no issues. In May 2014 when I removed my key from the ignition the car motor was still running. I was able to put the car in gear and drive with the key in my hand. My husband pulled the battery cable to get the car to shut off. I called the local Ford Dealership and took the car in to check it over. They told me it was a bad battery, so I replaced the battery. In September 2014 the car started doing the same thing again. I took the car back to the same Ford dealership and they called the Ford Hotline and was told it was a valve. $88 later and my car still will not shut off, we have to pull fuses.

• 

  Unhappy with purchase - 2014 Ford Escape
  By unhappyone2 - October 6 - 3:08 pm

  Purchased new 2014 Escape 2 months ago (3100 miles now). Have had to take for service several times. A clear lemon with numerous issues: poor gas mileage (best 21 MPG – advertised 22mpg city, 30mpg highway), Continual AC problems freezing up and now intermittent (dealer says Ford knows of problem with no fix yet), intermittent chemical smell, grinding steering column (dealer says others do same), Slipping transmission bang (dealer cant duplicate), wiper squeaks and jumps (4 service visits no fix), sticking seat belt replaced, radio screen wont reset (dealer says same on others). Weve requested a buyback and are waiting.

• 

  Worst car ever owned - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By bobkat64 - October 6 - 10:21 am

  The shifting is absolutely horrible. You will be coasting down a steep decline \ hill and it just down shifts automatically when your not expecting it and sometimes it doesnt shift at all pushing the RPMs to 4,000. Took it back to the dealer twice and they were not able to reproduce the problem. I emailed Ford and was first told that they were aware of the issue and that they are working on getting it resolved, but later I received another email telling me that the first email was a mistake. Its also really bad in Stop \ Go traffic.... it lurches between 1st and 2nd gears.

• 

  2002 SES - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By dom52 - October 6 - 12:05 am

  This car replaced my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero and i couldnt be happier. I bought this car at 179,000+ as of late last year and up until now i have added 5,000+ miles. This car is equipped with the Duratec 30 engine, and the AX4N automatic transmission. Both are in pristine condition and show no signs of failing. Appropriate driving habits and maintenance, this car will last. Change the oil frequently(use whatever is shown on the oil cap), change filters, etc. and this car will be reliable. Another tip: Use the E brake(a peddle with a handle release) before setting the car in Park, less stress on the transmission.

• 

  Rusty SUV, But Good - 2005 Ford Escape
  By jfohl - October 4 - 11:49 pm

  I bought this SUV last winter with 100k miles on it. Took it to my mechanic to get all the filters, fluids changed, who found rust holes in rear passenger inner wheelwell that compromised the strut and safety of vehicle. Fixed that, and took all the plastic cladding off exposing more rust than Ive ever seen. Driven 20k miles and no real mechanical problems except the exhaust needs replaced. Very simple interior compared to new vehicles. AWD system is excellent. I get 20mpg. 3.0 engine may have been powerful 10 years ago, but its relatively slow compared to todays SUV standards. These are great deals if you are looking for an AWD vehicle.