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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  Stratus - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By diskullman - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Car looks great, runs great, when it runs. When it breaks, take it to your lawyer first, youll get the repair done quicker. With 70,000 miles , this car has been through 4 sets of brakes. Cab forward, weight forward, with nothing doen to improve the brakes. The newer models have larger rotors & pads, which proves Chrysler knows there is something wrong. Replaced headgasket at 60,000 miles, car leaked oil like an old junker.I will NEVER buy another Chrysler product, new or used.

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  OK Vehicle, but there are better - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By okvehicle - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought Durango in 98 and loved it. Hated the gas mileage from the start though. The interior is poor at best. The middle seat will not support a rear- facing child seat safely. Not comfortable at all. After a 3 hour trip I feel like I am beat. Decent reliablility. Spark plugs only lasted 30K miles, replace O2 sensor @ 30K, Been through 3 batteries. Brake wear is great and have not had a "major" problem yet.

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  flee from Daimler/Chrysler - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By beeblequix - May 25 - 2:00 am

  "If you take care of it, it will last you forever." Thats what the salesman said. Replaced sunroof 4 times, radio 3 times, head gasket went out @23K mi (they made me pay the coolant change when they changed HG), 8 visits to dealer to fix BAD GROUND under dash, each pwr window motor replaced, each pwr lock switch replaced more than twice.

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  Please Read - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By wxman1213 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car, in perfect shape, with 53K miles on it. Ive religiously changed the oil and it now has 94K on it. This is NOT high for high quality car. In 3 months, the engine went from being trouble free to burning a qt of oil/week. Diagnosis: top end needs rebuilding. No REPUTABLE or HONEST mechanic or rebuild shop will touch it. Daimler Chrysler uses build techniques and equipment that shops cant duplicate. I can buy another 2.7L motor from a junkyard or a dealership at one heck of a price (quoted $4K to $8K). Ive had 3 other problems: faulty oil pressure sensor, power window motor failure, and engine accessory belt pulley bearing failure.

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  Paint Is A Pain - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By Luke Smith - May 25 - 2:00 am

  the paint is almost gone on the hood of the van which makes it look awful, besides that it is very reliable.

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  Bad experience - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By susieQ - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in may of 1999. It drives great, but not even a couple of months later the horn needed to be replaced. Within the first 6 months i had the car the horn was replaced 5 times. A few months later the power steering pump was replaced. In june of 2001 the head gasket was replaced. Than in January 2002 the head blew and the timming chain broke and had to be replaced. Than in may of 2002 the main rear seal started leaking and now has to be replaced. There are to many problems with this make and model of car. m

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  Great Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Christy Smith - May 14 - 10:00 am

  It great for a small family. Since I dont work it a great car to just run around in. Its also good on gas when traveling. It as alot of nice safty things plus Radio & 6 CD change has been great for traveling too. All the push botton things are great too.

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  Good little car. - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By jarriop - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the Neon for my girl friend. But found that this little car quite fun to drive. Aside from the little noises, the drivers door opening sensor not working (Even after having dodge fix it.) This little car is a brisk accelerater. Ihave currently begun modifying the car, starting with a cold air intake, and next is my exsaust.(Manifold is shot, as is my muffler.) I purchased the car with 62000 miles on it.

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  Disappointing - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Euly - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Everyone had told me Neons were crap but that 97 was the year they started getting better. I realized that this wasnt true. I love my neon because it is fun to drive but I have had numerous problems with it. The EGR valve was a big issue because the car would completely shut off while I was slowing down. I also dont like driving on a windy day because it feels so flimsy. It is a very unsafe car. Buying from a very dishonest car dealership did not help the situation either.

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  Do Not Buy a First Year Car!! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By JenD - May 9 - 2:00 am

  As soon as I saw the Sunflower field commercial with the Neon, I ran out and bought it. In 1994. I will never do that again. Too many variables. I can not stand the windows having no frames that they fit into. Constant noise!! A weird knocking noise coming from the back of the car that no-one ever could figure out. Squeaky brakes. The worst of all is the Air Conditioning went and until this day I only have 83k on the car. I really should have read that Lemon-Law booklet they gave me with the car. Also, 4 recalls for steering and brake issues.