Overview & Reviews

One of America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge has been around since the early days of the auto industry. In the past couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.

Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I.

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning.

Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways throughout the 1960s. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Dodge's muscle car was based on the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970.

As with other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. The company was saved from extinction in the early '80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Ideal for families and able to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan.

The early '90s saw the company wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a new standard for big-rig-like styling. A few years later, Dodge came to be part of DaimlerChrysler, a result of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler.

The merger never really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a private equity firm in 2007. Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries had been roundly criticized for mediocre build quality and unrefined performance.

More recent years have seen Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a separate Ram brand. But make no mistake; Dodge is still considered Chrysler's performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is.

User Reviews:

• 

  Got poisoned by my 2015 Dart - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Mackenzie - January 25 - 3:33 pm

  I bought it brand new, only owner. Cracked heater core caused toxic fumes in my cabin. Killed a moth. Had to ride with the windows down. Made me physically ill, headaches and dizziness. Way to fail Chrysler. I traded it in for a VW.

• 

  2005 Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Bryan Warren - December 22 - 2:04 am

  Terrible build quality, cheap interior, horrible dealership experiences in the shop! Poor fit and finish outside. Sqeaking rattling piece of junk! Gas guzzler!

• 

  NeedsQuality - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By BadQuality - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble ever since the day I purchased it. I will NEVER buy a Daimler Chrysler product again. There is NO quality in them, and they treat customers like trash! Gosh! Peice of JUNK!!!

• 

  Junk SUV - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Junk - December 3 - 11:30 pm

  Bought SLT+ with 38000 miles in 01. Engine died at 105,000 miles. Required a completely new engine (alternative? a 6000 pound paper-weight). Many others have complained about the oil pressure dropping - google "oil pump failure Dodge Durango" and see the results for yourself. If you buy one, you will regret this purchase. I personally will never buy Dodge again. JUNK SUV.

• 

  I want to like it, but... - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodgeball2 - October 15 - 11:26 pm

  I love the concept of this vehicle, with stow n go and dvd player, etc. But unfortunately I have had many serious problems with this car failing on me. Repeated jump starts, etc. Not to mention the car turning off while driving - and in serious situations like expressway driving. Maybe this one is a dud, but I would be happy to leave a better rating once I have a more reliable car and a safe one for myself and two toddlers.

• 

  My first and last Chrysler - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By No More DCX! - August 16 - 11:05 pm

  I got this home from the dealer less than two weeks ago. Ive been back twice due to suspension mishaps from the factory.

• 

  Dumb blond Lady gets shafted - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mary jo Fletcher - December 2 - 5:46 pm

  I bought new Van from Wilson Motors in Corvallis, Oregon. What a mistake, they took my dependable Toyota Sienna in trade and gave me a $1000 for a car valued at $4-5000. The new Dodge Caravan didnt have enough heat to keep ice off the windshield, I took it in and was told that it met the standards! Im in Oregon not Alaska. I went in three times to say the cruise control wasnt working and they said they couldnt repair it unless it broke right in front of them! Very rude and probably overworked repair people. The stress factor at the service desk was palpable. I spoke with the manager (a very nice man) who told them to take it in overnight, and guess what the cruise control didnt work and they had to replace it. I was so used to the ordinary features of my Toyota Sienna that I bought used and never had a break down or problem that I didnt realize that you had to remember to turn the lights on and off in this lemon. Also that the gas tank didnt lock from the inside and that when you used a regular store bought gas cap with a lock that it ruins something that costs $185 to get the light off your dash. Also that the back seats are like cardboard. Its the biggest financial mistake Ive ever made, I wonder how the salesmen feel conning those of us who are not professional car buyers.

• 

  2007 Special Edition - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Disappointed - August 8 - 2:40 pm

  The van would have been a great addition to any family, provided Chrysler really addressed quality and concern to owners. Instead they just made a junk and expected customers to support their cause. No wonder the company is going thru pains for what it did to people. Simply put, 2007 Grand Caravan, is another pain to owners.

• 

  DO NOT BUY PIECE OF JUNK - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By flanza - July 27 - 11:30 am

  From day one this van is nothing but junk junk junk ..Do not buy...At 55,000 miles water pump transmission went..Nothing but junk

• 

  Worst Vehicle - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By GPTX - June 24 - 2:00 am

  The worst car I ever bought. Within a year , I have spent more on repair of electronic and mechanical problems. I cant imagine this being a best selling minivan with all these defects and poor quality. It may look good externally but the interior (engines and electronics) are, by far, the worst design in the history of the automotive industry. VERY POOR QUALITY!!!