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What is Ford?

Henry Ford founded Ford in 1903, headquartered in Dearborn, USA. Despite the USA badge, 69.7% of the Ford cars in our records were assembled in the United States — the country on the boot lid and the country under the car are rarely the same thing. 59 models tracked (1981–2026).

Data · NHTSA & EPA · 59 models · 1981–2026 · Updated Oct 25, 2026 · 3.9 ★★★★★★★★★★ Brand Score
Quick answer

Ford is a USA carmaker founded in 1903. The cars themselves are another matter: across 110 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 4 countries — the United States 69.7%, Canada 15.5%, Mexico 13.5%. 59 models are tracked here (1981–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 3.9 out of 5 across 59 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).

59
Models
1981
Since
1
Vehicle types
USA
Origin
1903
Founded

Who makes Ford

Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company pioneered the moving assembly line for the Model T in 1913 and reshaped global manufacturing. Today Ford produces passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and electric vehicles across more than 65 plants in 21 countries, supported by approximately 3,000 dealerships in the United States. The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in the United States every year since 1977 and the best-selling vehicle of any type since 1981, a streak verified by Automotive News and IHS Markit registration data. Mustang remains the longest-running pony car nameplate, in production continuously since April 1964. The Bronco returned in 2021 after a 25-year hiatus, and the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning anchor the company's electrified lineup. Ford trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol F and reports vehicle recalls in real time to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). EPA fuel economy ratings, IIHS crash-test scores and J.D. Power dependability studies provide independent benchmarks for every Ford model year. Owners typically look up a Ford VIN to verify trim, factory-installed options, open recalls and original window-sticker MSRP — data that ForCar.org surfaces from the same NHTSA dataset Ford uses to notify dealers.

Henry Ford founded the company in a converted Detroit wagon factory in June 1903 with twelve investors and $28,000 in capital. The Model T, introduced in 1908, was the first automobile mass-produced on a moving assembly line, dropping its price from $850 in 1908 to $260 by 1925 and putting cars within reach of working-class Americans. The five-dollar workday Ford introduced in 1914 set a new wage benchmark for American industry.

FIG.01·About Ford
ItemFord
Founded1903
Founded byHenry Ford
HeadquartersDearborn, USA
Listed asF
Slogan«Built Ford Tough»
Models tracked here46 (1981–2026)
Assembled in4 countries
ROWS 7·SOURCE ForCar Editorial + NHTSA VIN records

Technology it is known for: EcoBoost turbocharged engines, SYNC 4 infotainment, BlueCruise hands-free Level 2 driving, Co-Pilot360 driver assistance, Pro Power Onboard generator (F-150).

This page covers Ford Motor Company, the American automaker — not Harrison Ford, Gerald Ford, the Ford Foundation, or Ford Models agency.

Where Ford cars are actually built

A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 209,986 vehicles on record, 110 distinct manufacturer codes.

FIG.02·Where Ford cars are built
Assembled inShareVIN starts withYears seen
the United States69.7%1FM, 1FA, 1FT, 1ZV1981–2026
Canada15.5%2FM, 2FA, 2FT, 2FD1981–2024
Mexico13.5%3FA, 3FM, 3FT, 3SA1983–2026
India0.9%MAJ2018–2022
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA records, grouped by VIN manufacturer code

Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Ford beginning 1FM was assembled in the United States.

All Ford models 59

Every Ford model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.

SUVs & crossovers 13Cars & sedans 17Trucks 6Minivans & vans 5More models 18

Ford SUVs & crossovers 13

Ford SUVs & crossovers by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
Ford Explorer1991–202639037,44528 mpg4.0/5
Ford Escape2001–202622728,60241 mpg4.5/5
Ford Expedition1997–20261999,72920 mpg4.0/5
Ford Edge2007–20269214,07825 mpg4.5/5
Ford Bronco Sport2021–2026661,33227 mpg4.0/5
Ford Mustang Mach-E2021–202642488110 mpg4.5/5
Ford Flex2009–2026341,93220 mpg4.0/5
Ford Expedition MAX2007–20261082,59219 mpg4.0/5
Ford Ecosport2018–2026121,85728 mpg4.5/5
Ford Explorer Sport2003–200321,31317 mpg4.0/5
Ford Expedition EL2017–2017227217 mpg4.5/5
Ford Freestyle2005–200763,65220 mpg4.0/5
Ford Taurus X2008–2009216419 mpg4.0/5
ROWS 13·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

Ford Cars & sedans 17

Ford Cars & sedans by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
Ford Mustang1981–202631510,680110 mpg4.0/5
Ford Focus2000–202613822,576107 mpg4.5/5
Ford Fusion2006–202013122,98542 mpg4.5/5
Ford Taurus1986–201917920,08926 mpg4.0/5
Ford Fiesta2011–2026293,16835 mpg4.0/5
Ford Escort1981–2002654,69240 mpg3.5/5
Ford Probe1988–1997321,43826 mpg3.5/5
Ford Thunderbird1981–2005462,75721 mpg3.5/5
Ford Crown Victoria1987–20111473,58920 mpg3.5/5
Ford LTD1981–1986174920 mpg3.5/5
Ford Five Hundred2005–200771,07321 mpg4.0/5
Ford Festiva1988–19941220535 mpg4.0/5
Ford Mustang GTD2025–20262—12 mpg5.0/5
Ford Contour1995–2000553,64425 mpg3.5/5
Ford C-Max2013–2018292040 mpg3.5/5
Ford Laser1981–1987——30 mpg4.5/5
Ford ZX21999–2003214626 mpg3.5/5
ROWS 17·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

Ford Trucks 6

Ford Trucks by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
Ford F-1501981–202646618,75072 mpg4.0/5
Ford Ranger1982–20262808,57558 mpg3.5/5
Ford Maverick2022–20268348738 mpg4.0/5
Ford F-2501981–20262944,39416 mpg4.0/5
Ford Explorer Sport Trac2001–2010187,07117 mpg4.0/5
Ford Courier1981–1988——22 mpg4.5/5
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

Ford Minivans & vans 5

Ford Minivans & vans by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
Ford E-3501981–202636830113 mpg3.5/5
Ford Aerostar1984–1997682,70124 mpg3.5/5
Ford Freestar2004–2007142,53318 mpg4.0/5
Ford E-1501981–201418050720 mpg3.5/5
Ford Windstar1995–200310015,83619 mpg3.5/5
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

Ford More models 18

Ford More models by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
Ford Bronco1981–20261481,77127 mpg3.5/5
Ford Transit2015–202619358926 mpg3.5/5
Ford GT2004–2022121014 mpg3.5/5
Ford F-3501981–20262312,898—3.5/5
Ford Excursion2000–2005271,236—3.5/5
Ford F-4501999–202646117—3.5/5
Ford F-1001981–198362—4.0/5
Ford F-6502000–20263433—4.5/5
Ford Transit Connect2010–20268052126 mpg4.5/5
Ford Fairmont1981–1983713—3.5/5
Ford Granada1981–198252—3.5/5
Ford F-7502000–20263212—4.0/5
Ford F-5501999–20265594—3.5/5
Ford E-4501995–2026126397—4.0/5
Ford Bronco II1983–19901523225 mpg3.5/5
Ford E-1001981–19834——4.5/5
Ford Recreational Vehicle1981–1994———4.5/5
Ford F-150 Heritage2004–200432,036—4.0/5
ROWS 18·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

Ford by the numbers

What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.

FIG.03·Ford by the numbers
TopicFordDetail
Recalls5,283 campaignsMost recalled: Exterior Lighting
Owner complaints200,770+ filedMost reported: Explorer
Fuel economy110 mpg bestLeader: Mustang
Crash safety★★★★★ top rated8 models tested by NHTSA
Insurance$1,301/yr typicalCheapest: E-350
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA, EPA and HLDI records
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Ford hybrids & electric models

Ford's electrified lineup — 7 hybrids and 5 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.

Ford hybrids 7

Ford hybrids
ModelYearsBest figureRecallsForCar score
Ford F-1501981–2026724664.0/5
Ford Explorer1991–2026283904.0/5
Ford Escape2001–2026412274.5/5
Ford Maverick2022–202638834.0/5
Ford Fusion2006–2020421314.5/5
Ford Escort1981–200240653.5/5
Ford C-Max2013–201840293.5/5
ROWS 7·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA

Ford electric & plug-in 5

Ford evs
ModelYearsBest figureRecallsForCar score
Ford F-1501981–2026724664.0/5
Ford Mustang1981–20261103154.0/5
Ford Ranger1982–2026582803.5/5
Ford Focus2000–20261071384.5/5
Ford Mustang Mach-E2021–2026110424.5/5
ROWS 5·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA

Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.

FORD

Get a Ford window sticker by VIN

Recreate any Ford's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.

Ford window stickers →

How to read a Ford VIN

Every Ford built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:

FIG.05·How to Read a Ford VIN
1–3 · WMI1F1
4–8 · VDSCM826
9 · Check5
10 · YearR
11 · PlantA
12–17 · Serial004352
  • WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ford and the country it was built in (real Ford codes below).
  • VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
  • Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
  • Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
  • Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
  • Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Real Ford WMIs — the first 3 VIN digits by build country
  • USA1F1 · 1F7 · 1FA · 1FB · 1FM · 1FT
  • Canada2FA · 2FM · 2FT · 2LM · 2LN · 2ME
  • Mexico3FA · 3FB · 3FM · 3FT · 3LN · 3MA
  • GermanyWF0 · WF1
  • Norway1FL
17 CHARS·SOURCE SAE / ISO 3779 · NHTSA vPIC

The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. The whole position-by-position breakdown — year codes 2001–2026, country codes, stamping locations — lives in our VIN decoder tool.

Who owns Ford, and what you get

Ford is independent, USA-owned and publicly listed as F. Ford competes across nearly every passenger and light-commercial segment in North America, with particular strength in full-size pickups and body-on-frame SUVs. The company's Built Ford Tough marketing positions trucks for towing, payload and work-site use, while the Mustang and Bronco lines target enthusiast and lifestyle buyers. Ford's Model e division focuses exclusively on electric vehicles and is run as a separate profit-and-loss unit alongside Ford Blue (gasoline) and Ford Pro (commercial).

FIG.04·Ford ownership and warranty
ItemFord
Country of originUSA
OwnershipIndependent
Stock tickerF
Basic warranty3 years / 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty5 years / 60,000 miles
Assembly countriesUnited States, Canada, Mexico, India
ROWS 6·SOURCE Manufacturer terms + NHTSA VIN records

⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Ford models actually start to break →

Everything on Ford
Recalls5,283 campaignsFuel economy110 mpg bestReliabilityEvery model rankedCommon problems271,685 complaintsCheck a VINBy production runCargo space18 models measuredDimensionsSize and weightWhat yours is worthValuation by modelInsurance costPer model, per stateWindow stickersOriginal Monroney labelsDecode a VINWhat each character means

Ford — frequently asked

Is Ford usa?

Ford is a USA company, headquartered in Dearborn and founded in 1903. The cars are a separate question: 69.7% of the Ford vehicles in our records were assembled in the United States.

Where are Ford cars made?

Across 110 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: the United States (69.7%), Canada (15.5%), Mexico (13.5%), India (0.9%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.

Who owns Ford?

Ford is independent, publicly traded as F.

How many Ford models are there?

We track 59 Ford models spanning 1981–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.

What is the Ford warranty?

New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.

Is Ford reliable?

It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Ford model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.

Explore other brands

Brands like Ford
BrandModels trackedSearch demand
Honda21 models19,095,400/mo searched
Chevrolet63 models11,309,600/mo searched
Nissan36 models10,648,030/mo searched
Dodge43 models10,417,330/mo searched
BMW106 models10,057,350/mo searched
Lexus17 models9,453,470/mo searched
ROWS 6·SOURCE ForCar catalogue
Model data and search demand from ForCar's catalog of 59 Ford models. Recalls, complaints and safety ratings sourced from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Brand facts compiled by ForCar Editorial. Last updated Oct 2026. Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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