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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  Brakes Stop Short of Brilliance - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By andymac - June 14 - 2:00 am

  The brakes were replaced at 43000 miles, just prior to my purchase of the vehicle. They were replaced again 10 months and 20000 miles later. They were replaced again at 99000 miles in June 2002. The head gasket had a leak which went from bad to worse from 43000 miles until its replacement 60000 miles. Heat and A/C only work from windshield and floor, not from dash. Check Engine light appears every other month, sometimes disappearing on its own, other times requiring a trip to the garage. Great gas mileage, comfort- -even on long trips, appearance, room, and handling.

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  Great Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Jenn126 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 68K, no problems till next year. Brought to Dodge for a recall and check engine light. They said I had to replace lower ball joints, turn brakes, clean rear breaks, bad oxygen sensor causing check engine light, and leaking thermostate. Total repair cost over was $1,000. I paid $70.00 for the diagnostic and left.Went straight to Good Year to check the ball joints, they said I needed NO repair. Was Dodge looking at the wrong truck or trying to take advantage of a female? Still havent had any of these repairs done after a year and the truck runs like a dream. Love my truck. The only repairs have been regular maintance and a new serp. belt.

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  A little soggy - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By CB - June 13 - 8:00 pm

  I have had my Dodge Journey for a Year and love the car. It had been raining all day on Sunday and when my husband and I went to take friends out to dinner, the passengar side in the front was flooded with water. You could see where it looked like it ran down the door. Windows and door where shut tight and the overhead console when I turned the corner, had water running out as well. Have an appointment on Thursday. Hopefully, the car will not start to smell and they fix the problem. Will see how it turns out. Also, the car could get a little better gas mileage. Its almost like to much car for the size engine.

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  Deal of the century - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By cameron131 - June 13 - 6:33 am

  I drive the Dodge SRT-4 ~400 miles a week. First let me say this car is seriously fast. The suspension is tight which makes handling incredible but it has a downside, when you hit a bump or hole your teeth are almost jarred out of your mouth. The shifting from the five speed manaul trans is smooth for the price. Braking is strong its amazing how short a distance you can stop in. The fin in the back I dont like I call it the park bench and Im seriously thinking about removing it. Changing the oil is a mission because you cant get a oil filter wrench on the filter, because its squeeze in between the engine block and the oil cooler.

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  one of the better - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By hemidakota - June 12 - 1:06 pm

  3.5 liter in sxt has enough go for money, good ride on lot of roads, has a lot of standard equipment for being one of the base models. handles pretty good in snow for fwd. its one of the better cars dodge has done in awhile.

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  POS from the beginning - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By John Jones - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle has had transmission problems and engine problems since it was purchased in April of 1999. I had it into the dealership multiple times to get it fixed and still have yet to get the issue resilved. Everytime I take it in for service, something else needs replaced or fixed and must be ordered.

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  Great Car, Turns Heads - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By Mark Silbernagel - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I had a leased Olds Alero (2000) to compare against -- and found that the Olds felt more bouncy (had sport susp. opt). The 17" wheels must help the ES. The Avenger feels longer and rides more smoothly (nice), and is also more quiet. Steering on winding rural roads is a little different (less sport tight) than the Olds but comfortable nonetheless. Body noise and fit are much better on the Avenger. GM does nice things with the technology (like using antilock sensors to determine when your tire pressure is low) but between the two I pick the Avenger ES. Mark

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  I wouldnt buy it again - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Coloradoan - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the van for 7 months now, have had it in the shop 3 times. I need to take it back again for the airbag light coming on this will be the second time for this problem). Everything from the throttle position sensor, airbag light coming on, to the check engine light coming on and the van dying out when warming it up. Had the brakes lock up a couple of times when stopping normally too. I would avoid this vehicle. My neighbor had some of the same problems with the Dodge Dakota pickup truck too, so it seems to run in the Dodge family.

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  Wish I never bought this car - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jen - June 11 - 11:20 am

  Ive spent over $8,000 in engine repairs & maintenance the 5+ years that Ive owned this car. Unfortunately, Ive had endless mechanical problems and the car has litterally spent weeks in the shop over the 5+ years, meaning that I had to pay for a rental car out of pocket, while van was being repaired. I wish I never bought this car. I wish I would have gone for the Honda Odessey or the Toyota Sierra instead for a van. It frustrating dealing with the local Dodge Dealer for repairs, as they dont seem to value the customers time enough. On the positive side, the interior of the Caravan is nice enough and comfortable for my family of 4--but my mechanical problems outweighed this.

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  Nice car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By rapidnet_rick - June 11 - 7:30 am

  I only have about 600 miles, but am happy thus far. I purchased an extended warranty, not happy with stadard warranty! I hope the quality continues, and does not degrade over time. The AWD mileage is about 16 thus far with mixed driving, which isnt good, and about the worst for a car with its engine size and horse power. Wifes 2000 Nissan Pathfinder gets 17 under same conditions. Overall I like the car, and think its a good value for the money.