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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  2004 Ford Escape XLT - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Hannah Gehlhaar - May 2 - 12:50 pm

  Cover Sheet Name: Hannah Gehlhaar Subject: 2004 Ford Escape XLT 4x4 Category: Suv Cars and Trucks Audience: New car buyers, Existing car buyers, People looking to review this type of car Important Audience Concerns: A lot of people like being able to drive and SUV and Trucks that they can feel safe in and I want to show when the Ford Escape is Publication venue for review-(Website) www.everyauto.com Venue Choice-I thought there reviews looked very reliable Hannah Gehlhaar Prof Evans English 1101 Writing a Review 2004 Ford Escape XLT The experience and privilege to be able to drive and SUV compared to a car gives you a greater chance of safety on the roads. Driving in a Ford escapes makes people feel so much more comfortable knowing that they are off the ground and the SUV is built to take on high forces. You are able to take on greater obstacles in everyday driving than you are in a small car. My 2004 Ford escape XLT enables you to be able to drive in all kinds of different weather conditions such as ice, snow and storms with having 4X4. Having 4x4 has more pros than cons. The pros of having it is you have a tremendous difference on control My 2004 Ford Escape in bad weather, you can turn it off and on the the 2004 escape and its and over safety thing that makes people feel for comfortable. The biggest con for having 4x4 is that it uses up more gas than when you just have front wheel drive but that is also resolved by being able to turn off the 4X4. My Escape has a 3.0L V6 with an Automatic Transmission, with 137,000 miles. You can average between 17-21 miles per gallon depending if you are driving on a highway or expressway with power steering, windows and mirrors. My Ford Escape XLT also had all leather seats, a sunroof, steal rims that only XLT’s have. A few benefits of driving this car that I like is you dont feel like your sitting on the ground when you get into the car, there is several different compartments to hold things and its a very affordable car. I bought this car when I was sixteen years old and I paid $3,200 for it. To me I believe I got a very good deal and it was very affordable. All of the different types and years of escapes there are all seat five people with a decent size trunk. With maintaining such an old car you do need to put some work into it sometimes. Luckily for me I havent had many problem but one major problem I had was that my radio broke and they are known for electrical problem but it was fix by just getting a new one that my dad put in. The Ford escape over the years has been able to grow and develop tremendously on several different qualities on of which being its The 2004 escape can handle the different types of whether because of the 4X4 and because of that it can handle other types of roads than the ones we drive on everyday. With my Ford Escape driving on the expressway is very good. I am able to have complete control of my car and not swerve from the wind because it is heavy enough to withhold the pressure of going fast. I would recommend this car to anyone because it is a great car to drag around a family in and its very affordable. You can get a Used Ford Escape that is in good condition for as cheap as 6,000 or you can get a brand new 2017 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD 2.0 Ecoboost Navigation for 35,000. You should never go to a car dealership without looking into some of the possible car you might want and I work at A car dealership myself and you can always work down the price you pay. Being able to put yourself and you family into a car that you think will be safe for them is better than the Name or the model of the car but whats important is the quality of the car. My Escape is made with basic controls with nothing flashing in the inside but that is for the better because cars are being made to where you are more interested on playing with the the flashy touch screen controls than the road. You can get this escape in several different colors for the interior and the exterior. You are also able to determine if you want leather or cloth seats for your car and that can also alter the price you pay for your Escape. You can get the Escape in several different styles such as the regular one, XLT, Limited and Ecoboost. Several different combinations you can make to get the perfect Escape that fits you. I myself have been driving a 2004 Ford Escape for the past two years now and I love it and am able to get into my car feeling see. One year after I got my license I got into a car accident because a lady ran a red light because she had just gotten out of work and was rushing home. I was turning left when I got my green arrow when she hit me on the passenger driver side also know as being T-boned. Everything happened so fast and when it did happen my car lifted up off the ground and I looked to the left and saw my car tipping over when it suddenly slammed back onto the ground because of its weight distribution. My car door was dented in but as for the small car the other last was drive it was totally done but thankfully we were both okay. But my story goes to show that having a SUV such as a Ford Escape is a safe car to get around in. I hope that My review can help you consider spending your money on a glamorous car compared to a well equipped SUV that can be for you!

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  1 of the best rangers i have - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By dave s - January 25 - 5:49 am

  ive owned this 2.3 standard shift ranger for 5 years now, bought in 2005,never any problems with it just minor maintenance, have a 91 ranger also ,3.0 ,somewhere over 300,000 mileson it ,had it so far for 16 years, the only money ive put into my 93 was upgrades, like the best air, ignition,fuel mods, went from 3.45 gears to 4.10 gears with taller tires,. allways dependable,cant go wronghere, rangers are the best small trucks .

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  love my f-150 - 2015 Ford F-150
  By - January 25 - 4:48 am

  well like many conscientious shoppers that do their research before they buy something that costs a lot of money. I have approximately 10k miles on it and so far not one problem! the 5.0 is very responsive and I am averaging 19mpg in mixed driving. on a long 600 mile trip I averaged 21mpg @70mph.i pull a 21ft camper that weighs about 5000 lbs. loaded and it pulls it with no problem averaging about 15mpg doing 65mph. the transmission shifts very smoothly a lot smoother than my previous Toyota Tacoma did. I recently had a test of the brakes when it was raining and a dog ran out in front of me and I slammed on the brakes. the abs worked wonderfully and I am happy to say that the dog will live to see another day because of that wonderful safety feature! the ride is pretty good for a truck maybe not lexus like but very good on a long trip. I love the backup camera and the parking sensors they have saved me a couple of times already. and hitching up my camper is nice once you get the hang of it. the a/c will run you out of it even when its 100 degrees outside. I love the oil monitoring system and even though the dealer wants me to come in every 5000 miles for an oil change I find that I can comfortably go 7500 miles using full synthetic oil. all in all I like my f-150 and plan on keeping it for many years. we will see about the long term reliability and hopefully this truck will last 200 or maybe even 300k miles? I have been noticing that I see far more older ford trucks on the road than I do of chevy or dodge. I recently saw an old guy driving what must have been a 1969 ford f-100 ranger it was a little rusty but it was still running great. says a lot about ford products. just my ho of course!

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  Transmission troubles are real - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By Cliff Warren - January 22 - 11:32 am

  I rented this car. The transmission problems that people speak of, they were present in my rental. If I was trying to turn left with oncoming traffic, I would press the accelerator and wait... wait what seems a lifetime, but perhaps about one second... then the car would lunge forward and clumsily across the road. Waiting a second when traffic is coming is downright dangerous, and when the car does start to move it really moves in a scary lunge. Just adding my two cents. Its been about a year since I rented it, but it was so bad I will never forget it!

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  Pig with Lip Stick! - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Eddy A - January 21 - 8:53 pm

  I bought a Lariat almost fully loaded FX4 package, 4x4, LED headlights, Heavy Tow Package, deployable running boards (love that feature), box side steps (handy), tail gate step, and all the LED lights around the perimeter of the truck (have helped me a great deal when working at night.) I came from a BMW 530i Sport, so I actually enjoy the stiffer suspension. The only reason I would say its a little too stiff is the rear end can jump over large bumps. If you tow or load the bed then the suspension works perfect. I have towed 5500 lbs and the truck can pull like a train you wont even know you have a load being towed. I bought the truck because I am starting a new business and cant afford the time to go to a repair shop even if its warrantied. In the first 2000 miles: the 1. Driver side mirror shakes above 45 MPH, the glass jiggles in the wind while the passenger side is firm. 2. Started hearing a bearing noise from the front end and getting vibrations. 3. Transmission slams into 1st gear, almost feels like the car behind bumped you. 4. Passenger side deployable running board makes a whining noise, driver side does not make the same noise. Took to the dealer. Dealer replaced driver hub bearing, and 4x4 actuator. LESS THAN 5000 miles. Re-program transmission computer, transmission shifts better, but still bumps intermittent. All other complaints were said to be normal, LOL, even when one side does not have a shaky mirror and one side the deployable running board is smooth quiet. This is what you will be dealing with if you buy one of these seducing trucks. Fuel mileage is poor, 16.3MPG driving like a gentle giant. Highway mileage is 25MPG cruising steady below 60MPH, if you drive above 65MPH you will average 16-18 MPG, at least I do in my truck. I do not have confidence in reliability long term. I am also tired of lazy warranty techs saying everything is OK, when it is not OK. If you love pigs with lipstick then this is the truck for you!

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  Perfection for Ford - 2011 Ford F-150
  By Scott - January 21 - 8:22 pm

  I just pray my next truck is as good as this one has been for the past 5 years. I never had a vehicle that did not need constant maintenance trips to the dealership. I hate to trade it in but....

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  Get a manual! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By thue77 - January 21 - 1:27 pm

  This car for the money is one of the best handling, comfortable, and sporty small size cars on the market. Although the 2.0 4-cylinder would be worlds better with a Turbo, the small engine is tuned up enough to make the SE Hatchback fun to drive. When looking at other reviews over and over again were issues with the duel clutch automatic transmission, my wife and I loved the car and wanted to get one but no way with all of the bad reviews on the automatic transmission was I going to buy one. So we made the decision to get a manual, it is fun to drive, a great little car so far, and we avoided the transmission issues which plagued the automatic. (I hope and think Ford has changed the auto transmission by now, such a shame because it is such a great little car). For the small car segment this is one of the best cars to buy, everything is great about the car but if you are looking to purchase one - it has to be a manual.

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  I wish I could Escape from this car - 2013 Ford Escape
  By Marc Bahm - January 21 - 12:52 pm

  I drive this car as my company provided vehicle for me to use because I drive it for work to go to customers. I mostly do highway driving so I am in the car for long periods of time. There are so many things I dislike about the car, but Ill try and not to ramble on and keep it simple. The interior, poor seat fabric, not very roomy at all for leg room, in fact the amount of space between the brake pedal and gas pedal is so small that I can barely fit my foot between the brake and the console that runs down to the floor. The seats are very uncomfortable for longer trips than 45 minutes, the seats are not long enough and hit your thigh mid way and create a cramp in your leg. The engine is the worst, I have had this in the shop for so many recalls I have lost count. The latest trip to the dealership was because the engine light came on again, now the turbo has stopped working and it must be replaced. Dealer said its a 10 hour job. Im glad I dont have to pay for this as it is a fleet lease vehicle, but if I had to pay for this I would be very upset after only 89K miles. If I would have bought a GM, Kia, or Chrysler they at least have 100K warranty on there power train and transmission. Come on Ford get with the program, if you are going to put these turbos on more of your vehicles step up and add more warranty to them.

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  This is by far the worst work truck I have ever ow - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Nick - January 21 - 11:38 am

  Where do I start. Truck started out brand new and the heat and ac didnt work. 3 weeks later waiting for the part to come from China, it worked. Second the doors dont close right. Dont try to slam it shut it wont close. Third the seat doesnt adjust up or down and being 6ft 1 my knees hit the steering wheel. Fourth the truck comes with 2 ac plug outlets. Well they are useless unless you want to charge your phone. They wont charge my drill batteries at all. It over loads it and just blinks yellow. Why do I have 2 plugs if one cannot handle a 12v 3 amp battery. 5th the truck take 20-25 minutes to actually put out hot air in 20 degree temps, really? 6th the radio signal is week, the radio stations I listen to in my personal vechile which is a chevy work fine. The range on this pos is short. All in all this truck if you want to call it that... Ford went real real real cheap on this heap of junk. If your not delivering flowers this truck is not for you.

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  Not so Eco Friendly Eco Boost - 2012 Ford F-150
  By Brand - January 21 - 10:05 am

  Bought a 2012 F150 Lariat with 80K miles on it. It now has 90K miles on it and Im getting rid of it and heres why.... Pros: very comfortable ride, plenty of power when not having issues, lots of storage space and rear seat space, interior quality is nice. Cons: the ecoboost engine has been getting worse and worse gas mileage the more I drive it. I get about 12.5 mpg city and 18 hwy. As mentioned by several others, it has a serious lag problem when you go to accelerate past a vehicle. First time I had this happen I was traveling up a hill trying to pass a semi truck. The vehicle felt like it was going to shake apart and seems like the transmission is complete junk. Now Ive been getting a horrible humming noise any time theres rain or snow at slow speeds and while slowing down. Ive had 4 mechanics including ford look at it...I keep getting "weve never heard anything like this before." Ford has been useless in finding a solution to the issue. As nice as the truck looks and rides, its not worth the engine/transmission issues it will give you. Id look at at GMC in the same price range.