<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-12-11</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000037996</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FORD MOTOR CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>F</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190855</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH GREG C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE AMERICAN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DEARBORN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48126</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-12-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>3852</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>13.55</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>60600</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>1571</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Company Plan</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>1226</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>Custodian</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>12.53</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2006-03-14</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>28899</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>12.25</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2007-03-13</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>36505</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>22.65</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2008-03-12</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>39114</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>31.95</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F6" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2009-03-11</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F6" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>27199</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>22.73</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F7" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2010-03-09</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F7" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>23572</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>BEP Ford Stock Fund Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
              <footnoteId id="F8" />
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F8" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
              <footnoteId id="F8" />
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F8" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>7060</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>30.19</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F9" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2011-03-08</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F9" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>34000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>16.91</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F10" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2012-03-14</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F10" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>65000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>7.55</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F11" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2013-03-18</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F11" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>100000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>9.78</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F12" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2012-12-05</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F12" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>50000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>9.72</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F13" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2012-12-10</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F13" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>15000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>24.49</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F14" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2011-06-28</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F14" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>500</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">These shares were withheld by the Company to cover my income tax liability relating to a grant to me of Common Stock under the Co
mpany's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  </footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">These shares are held by me as custodian for my children.  I disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F3">The option is exercisable to the extent of 25% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/15/1996), 50% afte
r two years, 75% after three years and in full after four years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F4">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/14/1997), 66% afte
r two years, and in full after three years. </footnote>
   <footnote id="F5">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/13/1998), 66% afte
r two years, and in full after three years. </footnote>
   <footnote id="F6">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/12/1999), 66% afte
r two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F7">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/10/2000), 66% afte
r two years, and in full after three years. </footnote>
   <footnote id="F8">These Ford Stock Fund Units were credited to my account by the Company, without payment by me, in transactions exempt under Rule 16b-3(c), under the Company's Benefit Equalization Plan, and included in my most recent plan statement.  In general, these Ford Stock Fund Units will be converted and distributed to me, without payment, in cash, following termination of employment, based on the then current price of a Ford Stock Fund Unit and the then current market value of a share of Common Stock.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F9">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (3/9/2001), 66% after
 two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F10">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (03/15/2002), 66% af
ter two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F11">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (03/19/2003), 66% af
ter two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F12">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (12/6/2002), 66% aft
er two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F13">The option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (12/11/2002), 66% af
ter two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F14">This option is exercisable to the extent of 33% of the shares optioned after one year from the date of grant (6/29/01) 66% after
 two years, and in full after three years.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>s/Kathryn S. Lamping, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-12-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

