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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  1996 Dodge stratus - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By VAYASTEVE - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Good car well bulit but many minor problems which can be a headache.Better off with the V-6 for more power.2.4 4 cyl is good for local driving but it,s not enough power for passing and acclerating.Brakes good.All in all its a good car and Chrysler has doone a lot to inprove their automobiles.But I feel that the service at bayside Dodge after I biught the car was poor.

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  Trans is garbage - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By dispickle - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Trans problems - wheel bearings - tie rods - sway bar - radiator probs - fuel pump probs - total mess, dont waste your money

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  Dodge always bad - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By john - September 12 - 1:03 pm

  Bought 2003 new grand caravan sport had to replace transmission at 60,100 miles dealership did not make it easy to honor warranty at 100 miles over warranty had to install trans outside dealership was 100% cheaper, also computer had to be replaced, brake drums replaced twice, as you can see problems keep increasing, I do not recommend Dodge at all, right now as I write the starter needs to be replaced. Will never buy us make autos ever again. Previous to this I had a used 98 Plymouth Voyager and also had to replace transmission, I thought my buying new it would be better but totally disappointing.

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  Trip taker - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JLH - September 10 - 10:50 pm

  We bought our van with 35,000 miles on it. We bought an extended warranty from a company that went our of business, but did get some repairs done first. This van was great for our family when we took trips. Even though it didnt have the DVD/Tv system. We didnt have too many problems until around 100,000 miles. We now have 134,000. Motor still runs good. Changed oil every 3000 miles and had the tranny serviced several times. The lock broke in one of the sliding doors. Just had front end problems. Sway bar bushings and a cv shaft. $500 to fix. My last brake job lasted 3 years. Replaced EGR valve. Now engine light is on. Vacuum problems. Also belt, tensioner and water pump. $500.

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  My little bubble - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Bebe - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The car has been good, although the power steering pump had to be replaced and the air conditioning broke after using it one summer. The car needs more pep and whats up with the back windows having no power?? I went to Honda to trade my car in and they were totally making fun of my cars lack of power windows in the back seat! Its good as a starter car but definitely move on to something better.

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  not pleased - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By not pleased - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Got it at 42k. I have put another 45k on it, but have also put tons of repair money too. This year alone I have put a new headgasket, brakes(again), suspension, ignition wires, battery (again), and it still needs work on the AC. The sticker price might not me too high, but youll make it up in repairs. Although I hear later models have improved.

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  Nice looking, but thats all - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By Timothy Lambert - August 31 - 2:00 am

  This car has had just about every front end component replaced, and due to its design, every job is an expesive one. The transmission was replaced at 38,000 mi. and I fear that it is ready to go again. The A/C has had 6 separate problems, and the car eats belts like I eat pizza.

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  Looks arent everything - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By nothappy - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I love my intrepid, which I have had since new. It is problematic, though, since it is not reliable, or well built. It is on its 4th stereo, third tranny, third set of front suspension, has expensive front headlights that break in their mounts every year, a/c quit, totally, and needs $1300 repair, leather seats worn through, abs and traction control sensor shot, gas gauge erratic, ignition switch replaced, starter motor rebuilt, aluminum wheels corrode, body rattles, windshield wipers dont wipe the glass, seals around doors dont seal anything. This car looks great, but costs a fortune to own. Give me a Toyota Corolla any day!

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  Fun car less than poor quality - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By LaBron - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Fun driving car, great on the track, great gas mileage. Its got rattles throughout the car and its spent more time in the shop than reasonable. Blown head gasket, warped trim, a/c compressor failure, electric sunroof failure, injectors clogged even on premium gas!! Essentially, if you want fun to drive and reliablitity together you should buy something else.

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  Sport Convertible - 1991 Dodge Shadow
  By wheelnut - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Shadbow convertible, although its old.