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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  I WILL NEVER BUY A DAIMLER PRODUCT EVER! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By LISA0605 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  BEWARE POTENTIAL DURANGO BUYERS!!!! We purchased our 03 Dodge Durango SLT 4X4 off the lot in February. In Marh 03 we started having "issues" with it. The rear axle seal was leaking and finally after three repair attempts it was fixed. The complete rear axle was replace!! I thought I just bought a new Durango!! This was followed by the check engine light coming on for various other reasons that the service manager still can explain.

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  HORRIBLE!!! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By DHDH - February 29 - 2:00 am

  MOST HORRIBLE VEHICLE!! LEMON LEMON LEMON. EVERYTHING ON THIS CAR IS MESSING UP- TRANSMISSION, WINDOWS, SUNROOF, EVERYTHING. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE, WISH I NEVER BOUGHT IT. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.

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  Worst of the Worst - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By kthrun - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I would like to hear from others who have problems with their Durango, weve had NONstop problems, starting from day one, A/C system replaced 3 times, blown transmission line that the dealership claimed did not exist (i took it off and wanted to fix it myself) until they towed the truck in...next day it was mysteriously fixed. Computer replaced twice, blown AIC whatever that supposedly made the truck stall out when stopped, replaced it, truck still stalls out when stopping, 4WD does not work now and the dealership claims they have "no idea" where is customer service? 4WD front CV joint went out with less than 58k miles...whats the deal? $36,000 LEMON.

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  I hate my neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Tanya - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I think neons are the worst cars ever! I hate my neon, i only get 11 miles to the gallon, it shakes so bad. I cant go over 20mph on hills.

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  worst car I have ever owned - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By miss smith - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Be careful, these cars will screw you over. We thought it was a good car, until the engine went bad at 70,000 miles, the heating fan went out at 50,000, the struts went bad, the electric windows wouldnt work anymore, tape player doesnt work.... Need I say more. Piece of crap, and I am not the only one to say so. Watch out! Weve been stung. Bad resale value also.

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  problem van (PLEASE READ THIS) - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By junk van - December 7 - 2:00 am

  i have nothing but problems with it. I have water leaks,engine oil leaks ,trans leaks, wind noises,squeaks and rattels,trans not shifting corectly, engine not running corectly,all doors not opening and closeing corectly. if this is not only a few of the problems that i have had with this van I have taken this van back to the dealer where it was bought from about four times a month from the time i bought it new in 2001 it is now almost 2004 and still have not had these problems corected . the say they want me back in another dodge product I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER PRODUCT FROM THEM!!!!

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  Lemon - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Karen Jones - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Neons Transmission fall completely out three times in the last three weeks. It locked completely up and put my family and myself in great danger. I have only had lies and grief from not only Daytona Beach Dodge in the repair of this car and from Diamond Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, MI as well. This car is advertised with a 7 year/70000 mile warranty on the power train. BE VERY AWARE!!!!!Chrysler Corporation told me that it is subject to change (daily). You may be driving one right now with no warranty. Shame on you Daytona Dodge and Chrysler Corporation, shame on you....

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  Lemon Lemon Lemon - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DebaFra - October 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this van because we wanted to upgrade from our other van we wanted to have the sliding door on the drivers side and rear air. What a mistake to buy this van. I had the transmission replaced twice. The air conditioner has one speed now. The starter has been replaced three times. It leaks gas there is just no end to the problems. Now the dash is cracked. I think it is the worst. I would never buy Dodge again.

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  dodge junk - 1991 Dodge Dakota
  By willy1 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Such have been painted bright yellow with green tailgate. Dodge Wont do any thing. Sold it with 86000 miles Transmission,transfir case,lifters,brakes every 6 mounths on front,drive shaft out of balane, Radiater Was a complete piece of junk. Brought it new.Hardy ever used the 4 wheel drive and it still fell apart. I was 49 years old when I got this junk from dodge, Never another dodge product.

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  Not a long term car - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By Alfie Williams - August 1 - 12:54 pm

  It was a great car that I fell in love with for the first two years. After that I realized that the car had already lost almost 50% of it value. This car also has 10 recalls on it. After I reached 90,000 miles is when all hell broke loose on the repairs. The had to replace the head gaskets, oil cooler pump and had already been through 8 recalls. The latest recall has shut my car down due to the alternator problem. Now they want me to pay for the repairs and submit to get reimbursement for a recall on the alternator. I have never ever heard of paying for a repair when there is a recall on the part. The car completely shut down on me without warning while I was on the road. If I was on the highway I would have had a accident because the ar lost all power out of nowhere. If you want a used car I suggest you do not buy a 2011 Doge Charger or any of there cars. They have the worst service and poor customer service.