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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  Cant wait for end of lease - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By MerleB - April 22 - 10:00 am

  A year to go on my lease and I cant wait to get back into a car. This truck combines poor gas mileage with mediocre performance, a great combination. It is truly gutless. Ride, handling and braking are also poor. It desperately needs a third door for rear seat access which is truly awkward. It is also helpless during Michigan winters without snow tires.

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  Aaaack!! - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Big Mamma - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Weve had the brakes repaced 4X in 48,000 mi. Also, replaced sensors 2X in the last 3 months. Drive belt tensioner is about to go. We had a Subaru for 7 years with 1/2 the problems of this van :(

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  Bad Quality - Nice Ride - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By nwdodgeguy - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Been in the shop twice so far at 24,000 miles. Worst problems: 2 oil leaks from the oil pan and rear main seal, and a tranny leak from the output shaft seal. Bad hub bearing replaced.

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  Brakes/Rotors - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By April C - April 17 - 12:46 am

  I brought my car brand spanking new 2 whole miles on it. This Dodge Journey has given me nothing but trouble, at 21,000 brakes and rotors are completely gone?! Now I am researching and many people have the same problems. The dealers state that it is normal, no that it is not. There is a defect somewhere and somebody needs to do something about it.

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  Questionable Workmanship - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DICK TRIESCH - April 11 - 6:23 am

  While parked and unoccupied, the van shifted out of park on its own and coasted down into another parked car. Chrysler sent an inspector out who couldnt find anything wrong. They wont repair damage done to van in collision. They act like it never happened. Beware 08 van owners! Always set emergency brake when parked. Chryslers customer service is not very impressive. Well have to take them to small claims court for them to address the fact that it happened.

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  Dont Let Magnums Good Looks Fool You - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By nj - April 10 - 9:36 pm

  Bought my Magnum in June. Within 1500miles had to have the rotors replaced, they were defective. At 3000 miles the A/C was recalled and replaced. Now at 10,000 my transmission failed, started smoking, had to be towed, and it has to be replaced. Fantastic. Good thing I decided Id buy a new car instead of used, so Id avoid lots of time at the mechanics. Second Dodge Ive owned, and it will definitely be my last. Im considering contacting the major networks to do a story on the crappy quality of Chysler/Dodge products. Warning to the wise: they may look pretty, but dont get suckered in by a pretty face!!!

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  Not impressed - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By petesmithj - March 30 - 2:46 am

  We love our van because its easy to use with kids. Thats where it ends. Its been in the shop twice for a leaking transmission - the rubber the window on the drivers side falls of if you shut the door too hard. The remote start doesnt work, the transmission clunks when downshifting, the tires are terrible, there isnt enough power and the wing mirrors are fading. We have a total of 14,000 miles now - Not impressed.

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  Still own it, but will not buy another - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Doug - February 4 - 3:20 pm

  Many, many, many problems with brakes over the years. Filed a complaint in the early years, but Chrysler/Dodge did not seem to care and did very little. Probably will not buy another Chrysler/Dodge just due to their lack of care and fair reliability

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  Ok for the price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By agarven - January 30 - 10:39 pm

  Bought this car new, now has 65,000km. Probably the most practical vehicle there is for a family at a good price. Brakes are a problem, replaced front pads and rotors at 35,000km. Rear caliper seized ruining rear rotor and pad (covered under warranty). Noisy exhaust (not sure if this is a problem or not).

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  New Transmission at 30,000 Miles - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Ginette - January 7 - 3:00 am

  My Caliber is now in the shop because I need a new transmission. I have 30,000 miles on the car. I thank God that it is still under warranty. I bought it before the new warranty of 100,000 miles. I am thinking about selling it and buying something other than a Dodge. I like the car but I cant afford for this to happen again since my warranty will be over soon.