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:

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  Not for the money - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By ashbaugh - August 23 - 6:38 pm

  We bought our 2005 dodge 2 years ago. We have had nothing but trouble with it. The first thing that happened was that the gas gauge quit working, got it fixed now it only works half, yes have had it back to the garage to have fixed, they say nothing is wrong with the gas gauge. Now the newest thing to go wrong is the the 4 wheel drive is locking itself in and out. Took it to the garage they said it was the front controll module, had it fix, was that a lot of money. It is now back to doing the samething again and the garage says they cant find anything wrong with it. I will never own another dodge truck.

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  Have a Journey Problem? - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mpnight93 - August 12 - 7:45 pm

  Like many of you I have had problems with my Dodge Journey also....... Take a look at http://www.change.org/petitions/dodge-journey-s-defects because we all know Dodge will NOT fix them. Brakes, win module and more cost you and me $300 to $600 each time due to their defects! Please take a minute to sign and pass along the link above thanks, Mike

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  continuation of problems - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By gib21043 - August 11 - 12:05 pm

  In addition to the previous review of my power train control module failure the air conditioner is now broken as well. The A/C has a tendancy to turn off and on by itself. In addition the rear A/C would change from low cool to high heat and low fan to high fan with nobody touching the controls. When I compared with another 2012 durango on the lot and saw there was a differance the salesman that helped me explained that the A/C should turn on by itself. Even though its been in the high 90s to 100s here the rear heater should turn on by itseld because I have it too cold back there. Meanwhile my infant is sweating back there. Videos are on-line for review.

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  Not Built to last! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By jenokker - August 6 - 2:42 pm

  Interior is falling apart...inside driver doorhandle broke, the a/c, now window motor and its not cheap to fix. I would not recomend black body trim...

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  Worst car I ever owned - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By wjohnstone74 - July 24 - 1:43 pm

  I had 5 new company cars since 2000, this was by far the worst. Returned to shop 3 times for running on three cylinders (under 1000km), turn the key and nothing happens 3x, odometer reset itself to 0 and 26,000km disappeared, front brakes at 40000km and rear shortly thereafter, turned itself off while driving down the highway, absolutely, completely gutless. Like 1988 k-car style. I put it in park, exited the vehicle, and it started rolling downhill! This happened at the dealership, the mechanic saw it and shook his head! I was in a rental what seemed like monthly. Bluetooth assistant almost NEVER worked, my wife would laugh at me as I punched the radio. Horrible experience. Run!

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  What a junk but nice body style - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By manny2126 - July 4 - 9:51 pm

  Paint already discoloring on the fender, no way of checking the trans oil, wheel hubs needs to be replaced makes noise, a/c compresor gone needs to be changed, brakes done twice and 2 rotors replaced, wiper motor recalled and replaced, blower motor replaces twice, front seat plastic cover broken off just from exiting, 2 tire gage replaced without the 75.00 computer stem.

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  Do not buy this vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jessicap - June 30 - 10:55 am

  I bought a 2009 Journey because it had everything I wanted in a vehicle. Turned out to be the worst vehivle Ive ever owned. I bought it used in 12-2010 from my local Dodger dealership. Within 15 months, Ive had all 4 valve stems replaced, new brakes and rotors and now my transmission died today (its stuck in 2nd). The tires are also expensive to replace, costing around $1200 to replace all 4. When the valve stems starting going one at a time, the Dodge dealiship initially told me it was my problem and Id have to pay for it. The first one went out 3 months after my purchase. next one, 6 months, then 9 months then the last one went out at 15 months after purchase. Not worth it!!!!

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  This is considered an SUV? - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By americanmade2 - June 17 - 8:53 pm

  Well in December of 2010, my family got this car. at first it was great ... but then the horrid hard plastics started breaking on the seat belt covers and on the seat belt buckle itself the buckle in the third row is completely useless! the hard plastics are also bad they just look tacky. the seats in the second row are not comfortable for longer than an hour. the leg room in the second row is bad... really bad my son who is 54 complains! the car has a problem shifting and gets valves clogged all the time! our family hates this... thing! we are buying a 2007 Lexus GX 470 in a month hope its better!!

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  I got a lemon - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By donna2010 - June 16 - 1:39 pm

  I bought this 2010 lemon at Moss Bros in Ca I like that it had a lot of storage and the look of the outside was good. But that is where it stops. It has tiny interor. Uncomforatble seats and the driver seat is making a noise the dealer cant seem to know where it is coming from. Bad brakes they built the front end to heavy for the brakes. So the problem is not fixable. I will have to keep replacing the front brakes as long as I own the car. I have had them replaced at 5,000 13,000 21,000 miles There was a recall on the door locks. That was fixed. There is somethings wrong with the transmission when I go out of park into reverse. It doesnt perform good. The interior is cheap. Its a lemon

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  DO NOT BUY!!!!! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By connielou - April 26 - 2:51 pm

  I bought my 2004 Durango used in 2006 with less than 20000 miles on it and regret it. It has been a complete piece of junk! Overheats constantly even after replacing thermostat & cooling fan, differentials went out after a couple of years, CD player doesnt work, 3rd row seat literally came detached from the floor, cheap plastic interior has multiple cracks. Only gets 12 miles per gallon. Very dangerous blind spot in front. When I turn on the front window defroster, the power steering belt slips and makes a loud squeal and I lose power steering. This thing is only 8 years old! I have read multiple reviews with these exact same issues. Do not buy this vehicle!!!