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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  What Gas Mileage? - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Moz - August 3 - 3:10 pm

  I bought the R/T fully loaded, with chrome rims. The car is great for those who are practical. It is not a luxury car. So dont expect it to be. I use it to go snowboarding in VT (live in NYC) and itÂ’s perfect. The engine has weak acceleration and is loud but that is a 4cl engine Gas mileage is 28mpg at 55mph, 23mpg at 70mph. The gas mileage gauge is useful. Who drives 55 on the thruway? So who ever says this car has good gas mileage, stop!

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  Been in shop 4 xs since 5/02 - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Vern - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I am filling this car up every two days, the dealer doesnt seem to think there is a problem. I wrote a letter to daimlerchrysler (ceo) and hoped that this would get resolved, unfortunately after this 4th time in the shop, it still does the same thing. I am fed up with this car.

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  lessons learned - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By good american - July 30 - 2:00 am

  This was a great looking sedan and was fun to drive. I had many problems with it though. A leaky transmission that took many trips to the dealer to fix (it leaked onto the exhaust manifold and made the car stink inside the cab), leaking power steering pump and leaking water pump replaced before 30K. Also the cassette player died and had to be replaced. The 3.3L engie ran good but was a little weak for this size car. When I sold the car 1 1/2 years later I found out about Chrysler products resale value.

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  Fun to drive if it holds up... - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By amysue32 - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I have loved looking at and driving Dodge Durango since they came out. I purchased a 2001 model and have had it in the shop constantly for warranty work.

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  Awful - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tswezey - July 29 - 3:50 pm

  We just bought this brand new, yes 2008 we purchased in June 2009 with 50 miles on it. We drove 500 miles on vacation and the engine (power train) blew while on expressway going 65 miles/hr. Weve owned the van for 2 weeks to the day. Of course, the dealership was closed in the town we were in...bottom line we had to rent a van for $120/day for our family of 6. We will be reimbused a whole $375 for "trip interruption insurance". However, we are now home withOUT our "new" broken van. Its 500 miles away waiting for a "part" that isnt due for 5 more days. Once the van it fixed we have to find a way to our vehicle and pick it up. We will NEVER buy another Dodge, ever!

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  Run-Dont Walk-To Another Brand - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By 1 yr left b4 i ditch - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I am 63 and cannot fit in my grandmothers 93 mercury grand marquise, but no problem in this huge full sized car. Air conditioning has been out a total of 9 times since new, and plenty of brake repairs. Good acceleration, looks, and excellent ride are all pluses however. Am just waiting out the last year before I can afford a new vehicle, with fingers crossed!!

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  Mine has broke ddown 2xs in 6mo - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Becky P - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 12/01. I broke down a week later on the side of a busy highway. My speed sensor wire was busted, and my cam valve was put in backwards at the factory. Now: July 02 and my car stalled, sputtered, engine light came on and then I parked it, it didnt start again. I had previously sent letters about my 1st breakdown to DaimlerChrysler, the dealer I bought the car from, the Manager of the dealer, NO RESPONSE. Chrysler said they would note my complaint! Gee Thanks! With all the problems I am having I wish now that I kept my 12 year old Toyota Corolla, it still ran and didnt give me 1/2 the problems at way over 100k(almost 200k)

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  When will they fix my A/C - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Wish4MoreQuality - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Red 96 Intrepid with a 3.5L V6. Fun to drive but has its problem areas. Started with batteries dying, traced to bad POS battery cable. Been in the shop 4 times (or more, lost track)for A/C. Water pump went out early at about 47k miles. Door seals have a lot of wind noise at highway speed. Front suspension had to be redone at about 85k. Just over 100k miles and the steering sounds like its about to go out. Paint faded too early in my opinion. Sealed beam headlights werent as sealed as name implied, consensation inside and have to drive with fog lights on at night to see.

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  Wouldnt get another one - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MikeyC - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Overall, our 08 Grand Caravan SXT is a good vehicle but I wouldnt get another one. As one reviewer said, this car EATS BRAKES. Replaced the fronts at approx. 20K miles and the rears at 25K miles. I didnt replace my rear brakes on my 02 Mustang until 90K miles. Rear brakes do 10% of the stopping work. No reason for rear brakes to be replaced so early. Absurd. Chrysler did reimburse me $93 for the brakes (I spent $200 for all 4 brakes). Had a few trips to the dealership because the A/C didnt blow cold air and the radiator cap was leaking (both recalls). As far as fuel economy, we averaged 23 MPG on a trip to Boston. Most of the driving is city driving and we get 17MPG.

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  95 No go - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By electrofied - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Significant reoccurring electrical problems due to poor design of electrical harness. overheating because of head gasket problems. The electrical problems have been the most frustrating because they are difficult to impossible to track down. 96s made in Mexico have the harness problems that is recallable. Same problem exists in 95 but dealership is unwilling to acknowledge or repair under recall. Same dealership has had a lemon plymouth van parked in front of their shop for over 2 years.