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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  damiler should not have gotten involved - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By robert filips - October 22 - 2:00 am

  headgasket, and peeling paint

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  Not Happy, Nitro Vibration and Rust issues - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By John Nichols - October 21 - 8:33 am

  I drove this SLT model for most of a snowy winter. The chrome grille now has major rust like discoloration penetrating it. Looks bad, Dodge wont replace it, I washed it when possible but this brightwork has really deteriorated in a few short months.You would think it should be able to withstand normal Colorado winter driving. Has an ongoing vibration, very annoying. The dealer has checked it out, states "thats just the normal thing for the torque converter to do." I know better than that! Complained to Dodge headquarters, No positive help at all. Look out, buyers beware, Dodge is slipping in quality and in taking care of customer.They have lost me.

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  Got a Lemon - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By bjsinn - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Never have A/C installed after purchase! So many problems! At about 12,000 needed new shocks. At about 30,000 the tranfer case needed replaced. At about 45,000 engine block crack! Battery dead before 3 years of use! Not used for 4 wheeling, just basic driving! One big problem!

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  Chrysler, you can do better than this! - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By Ronald47 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Transmission has been rebuilt twice at our expense. Since its last rebuild 6 months ago, it has gone into failsafe mode twice Aamco washed their hands of it. Other items that have required repair or have stopped working have been the electric window gear mechanisms, memory electric seats, alarm system, odometer, speedometer, and cruise control. The Infinity sound system developed a screeching problem. A/C cuts out while accelerating. Had a wheel balance problem when the car was new and got into a major finger pointing contest between Chrysler and Goodyear gave up fighting it and still have it.

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  3s a charm, third TRANNY that is !!!! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tired - October 17 - 2:00 am

  With less than 36K our Grand Caravan is on its third transmission. The first tranny lasted 32K, the second 3K, and your guess is as good as mine on the current tranny. The service from the dealer we purchased from has been great, but I want a reliable van. If that isnt bad enough when our van was returned after the third tranny, I noticed the steering started to vibrate the entire van when turning corners at low speeds. It was fixed under warranty of course but my warranty is up shortly and I have lost faith. Take it for what ever its worth, thought I should let people know.

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  Engine problems with the 1998 Stratus - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By jandm5254 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has gone through 2 headgaskets in the first 60,000 miles. It is currently in need of ball joint replacement. It is difficult to see out of the rear window. I guess you get what you pay for.

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  Good and bad - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Stefan - October 10 - 7:33 pm

  The good, its roomy, works great as a truck with both bench seats removed, can haul 4x8 sheet rock, good on long trips. Now the bad, its American made, which means, its poorly made. Its garage parked, yet there is rust, even under the hood where the struts mount. After 3 years and 30,000 miles, needed a new transmission(expensive, and a notorious problem with Dodge) Replaced starter, heater core, window regulator/motor twice, also very expensive. Replaced power steering pump because IT RUSTED OUT! Basically its a hit or miss with these Caravans, more misses than hits, so be very cautious when buying used even with low miles, Dodge dealers will not cover you.

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  Bad Tranny - 1992 Dodge Caravan
  By Walnut Willie - October 10 - 2:00 am

  These Vans are "OK" but thats about all you can say for them. The tranny failed at 85000 and I understand this is common with all Caravans. 3.3 engine has used oil from the start too. Recently went shopping for a new van but Dodge has them priced too high considering the reliability. So we test drove a Honda Odyssey and fell in love with it. Bought it on the spot . We love this thing , it is a luxury van. Made in USA too and you cant say that about Dodge anymore. If your shopping for a minivan try an Odyssey.

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  Unreliable minivan - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Greg - October 8 - 2:00 am

  The minivan has great design interior and exterior, but very bad reliability. Every month we need to fix something, begining with minor electrical problems to major transmission problem.

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  Unreliable minivan - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By GREG - October 8 - 2:00 am

  The minivan has great design interior and exterior, but very bad reliability. Every month we need to fix something, begining with minor electrical problems to major transmission problem.