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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  Disappointed - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By No More Dodge - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is nothing but trouble. My speedometer chip, cam sensor, both front window motors , a rear door motor, have all gone out and now it always over heats. My best friend bought one too and her transmission went out at 50,000 miles. All this car is good for is looking at. Dont buy this car unless you like paying rapair costs all the time. I will never buy a dodge again let alone a neon. These cars have major problems and the dealers are very dishonest people too.

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  Caravan Still Unrefined - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By pcannon - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Sport Shorty has great sound system with infinity speakers! Beautiful ride and handles very well, the best ride of all for a minivan. However, had oil/transmission leaks, replaced a/c compressor, front brakes and rotors, and back to dealer over five times for driver rear slider power door lock intermitten failures, still not corrected. All within 2 years and 14000 miles. Averages 16 mpg.

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  92 Vipers Review - 1992 Dodge Viper
  By John Mend - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle performed out of the ordinary and was extremely fun to drive. It was a powerful gas guzzler. And not very comfortable due to its performance.

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  Not so bad - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By nextdoor - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Tires wear quickly....Drives like a truck. If you need storage space buy something else. Is fun to drive.

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  Power Steering Noise - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Charles David Bunner - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I had the power steering hose replaced under the recall, I have had whining and noisy noise from the unit. I have taken it in repeatedly complaining about the noise without resolve. Last time I took it in was told, "Problem cannot be solved" I will never buy another Chrysler product due to the attitude of Chrysler. Let the Buyers beware of the tactics of Chrysler and their dealerships. Used to be dependable but no longer in my book.

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  2001 Dodge Neon - commuters-only car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Kensey - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is a decent car, but a bit expensive for its type ($600 for a three-speed automatic? Come on, Dodge). This model has had at least one recall, on the brakes, so be *sure* yours has had the recall work done (the recall issue can lead to total brake failure while stopping). It gets good city fuel economy, not-so-good (but still OK) highway, and the cabin is a bit cramped if youre taller than 58". This is a car for the commute to work, not the road trip to Washington. Very distinctive style, youll either love the look or hate it.

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  what a sorry car, regret!!! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Night_Vision - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the car in late March, 02. The car is not even 1.5 month old, but it was in Dodge Service Department for more 2.5 weeks. There are 5 problems The problems: defective steering pump, Leak gas tank, first gear lagging/weird noise, no grease in my left CV boot which cause damages to my front axle (they replaced the axle), and weird brake noise. This is my first and will be last American car. I bought it because 911 incident and poor American economy, I wanted to support Americans by buying American made stuffs.

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  heh - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By neon owner - April 20 - 2:00 am

  i bought a 1996 std neon for my first car, from a guy at school. i have had a few problems with it nothing real big. not to quick in acceleration wish i would of got a 6 banger now. but one set back is going up steep hills you can have the pedal to the floor and you will barely get going. other than that it drives pretty good. good steering. so all in all i am satisfied with it but advice to you get a 6 cylinder unless you want to be putting along up a hill

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  Nice V6 torque - 1993 Dodge Shadow
  By Revman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1993 and it cost around $11,500. Tell me where you can get a new car today for that kind of money that has 170 lb. ft. of torque availible as soon as you put your foot on the gas. It handled pretty well also. The hatch back great, even though it doesnt look like a hatch, and the rear seats folded down. The brakes could be a lot better to match the engines performance. When things did go wrong, they were minor and inexpensive. After 8 years of owning it I bought a new car, but I would do it over again if I could.

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  This car is HORRIBLE!! - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By cutiechick - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this car for just over a year and I have had HUGE problems with it. It was back at the dealership 5 days after it was purchased because it was leaking transmission fluid.A year later, the same thing happened my transmission leaks only this time when it goes in for repair at a Dodge dealership, they find that Im also leaking oil. Now my engine is burning oil internlly and I need a whole new engine!!!!!!! Fortunately for me I bought an extended warranty that will (hopefully) cover the cost of the new engine and transmission repair.I found out that this model year is well known for transmission problems as well as head gasket problems.