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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  So far, So good - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dustin - May 24 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this van used, and it has not yet failed us. We had one of the first Dodge vans ever made, (back in 91 or so,) and we loved it. This one is just as great. The only problems weve had so far is small transmission problems, (but nothing serious), and some air-conditioning problems have just started, (which also happened with our old Dodge Caravan.) Weve had a Dodge Grand Caravan twice now, but I think our next vehicle will be a Chrysler Town & Country.

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  Sporty little car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Elizabeth - May 21 - 11:00 pm

  My son was involved in a hit and run accident in January, so I wanted him to have a safer, more dependable car. We purchased our Caliber 3 months ago. He loves the car, however, we have had some problems with the engine. While driving the car, the oil light will come on and start to flash, and then the car will completely die on him. The dealership cant find the problem.

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  what else can go wrong - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Hazmine - May 21 - 7:34 pm

  I loved my jorney didnt love the problems that came with it loves the space and storage this car from day one had problems we put in a total of $4,000 in a 5 yr period just to keep it road safe

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  Worst choice i have made. - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Justin - May 14 - 9:10 am

  I Recently bought a 2015 dart se base model and i absolute hate! at 1600 miles, i had to get the transmission control replaced because they didnt do the recall. Now im at 6500 miles and the car randomly dies. Sometimes it wont start and i have to sit and wait 20 minutes. I have been to several dealers and all of them are telling me something is wrong. Do not buy this car!

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  Transmission problems - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By caravan driver - May 13 - 6:56 pm

  I had transmission problems with a previous model (1998 voyager se). When looking to buy the 2002 model, the salesman assured me that the transmission problems had been takem care of. He was wrong! Within a few months, there was a noticable bump in upshifting from 1st to 2nd. I took it to the dealer service dept, and they found nothing wrong. They said they did a "quick learn" on the transmission (never told me what that meant, even after i asked). Still a problem, took it back twice more over the next two years, they never admitted their was a problem. Its not a major issue yet, but its getting worse. Ill never buy another Dodge product.

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  Great Van, but not a lot of power - 1998 Dodge Ram Van
  By Jeff - May 12 - 7:13 am

  I purchased a 1998 that was in almost brand new condition. Not a nick, ding, scratch or scuff on it. Paint was in perfect condition. The best part is it only had 38,000 miles on it. This baby was a beauty, and a total score of a deal! The only thing I am not happy with at all is the power. Dont ever expect to gun it; this thing has no guts. Mine is the conversion style, and it is very comfortable. Although the passengers seat does not go back very far and doesnt allow for big shoes. Last thing is, it has a bench seat in the back that converts into a bed, which is perfect for a teenager, but its not good for an average height male.

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  Dodge - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave Newton - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This van has all the features to make any trip relaxing. Low road noise and very stable handling with great pickup when passing. Would reommend this van to anyone

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  great car - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jo --bob - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Great van no problems not small I Am 6ft 5 in and i can get in any seat with ease and room. I have tried Honda Toyota , Ford , Chevy . Wrong they are smaller.

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  Dodge Caravan Sport - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By LisaGW1 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive only been driving this van for 3 months, but have had no problems at all. Its fairly comfortable, and I like the fact that the second row seats are spaced apart from each other.

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  60K Mi Report - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By ghorvathjr - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has performed extremely well through first 60K miles. There was (and continues to be), however, some excessive wearing on insides of front tires. Ive checked with other Durango owners and this appears to be a relatively common trait. 5.9 Liter engine pulls loaded two horse trailer though mountains with better than expected results. Have performed following services outside scope of normal maintenance & warranty work: -One brake replacement (to be expected) -One water pump replacement (at 55K miles) at a cost of $1500.00.