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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  This is the worst car EVER! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By RockStar - June 14 - 2:00 am

  paid $11,000 for the car. only had for 2 years and have had to have $8000 in repairs! transmission, vehicle speed sensor, total rebuild of the braking system, electrical failed, suspension shot, ac died...you name it its happened. I HATE THIS CAR!

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  Cheaply made and lots of problems - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Frustrated owner - May 29 - 5:59 pm

  This car is very cheaply made. We got it at a good price but we have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. It uses oil and water but dont know why.

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  Dont Buy this Car - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By greenski - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I have spent more money in repairs on this, then on my 1990 honda with 230,000 miles. and that is with the trans. going out under warenty.

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  Disappointed with quality problems - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By richard primton - April 20 - 10:00 am

  It happened again at 831 miles, there was a strange chirriping sound coming from the transmission, and one of the power door locks (rear left) doesnt unlock. Ive taken it back to the dealer, theyve claimed the problems been fixed, but the chirriping sound is still there. At 1,208 miles, Im hearing three rattles, one from inside my door panel, another from the dashboard, and another from the back near the left tailgate.

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  doge are lemons - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By tigger123 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2001 dodge durango and it has been nothing but trouble. It has spent more time in the shop then on the road.It had had trasmission problems, power stering problems,engine problems,power windows problems, ext. I would cleary recomend a FORD SUV to anybody!!!!!

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  PLEASE DONT BUY!! Dodge Corp. NO help!! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By WillieP - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems since the first week!! Stuck with this P.O.S. Several problems with the transmission that supposedly was "matched nicely" to the 4.7L engine. Problems are "deemed normal" by the dealership. Ill drive it till something breaks to recreate the problem for them. Interior fan motor is done. Nothing like the smell of a burning fan motor in the morning. Nice acrid smell of burning plastic/wires. Popping noise at front wheel bearings in turns. Tried to get Dodge Corp. to swap it out and Id pay the difference. NO DEAL! Ill just take the couple thousand loss on a trade soon. Itll be worth it!

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  buy gm: - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Bushleague - January 18 - 2:00 am

  An absolute lemon, lousy ride uncomfortable seats. How many head gaskets can you replace? Nearly get killed trying to accelerate on the highway.

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  i hate my avenger - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By britt01 - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but major problems with this car. I would not recommend buying it.

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  What A Joke - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By A SUCKER - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is truly a piece of junk. These cars come staight from the factory with a warped head. Which i believe is like most owners of this car "warped heads". If you dont get the head shaved on theses cars you will have the same problem over again. And then they will start to burn oil and you are spending more money then for gas it seems! I have never had to do so much work to keep it going. I will never own another and will tell my friends the same.

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  Bad truck, but Dodge itself is worse - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By J to the C - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this new in 1998 and its been a rough ride since day one. This truck has stranded me, the wife and the kids at least 5 times in 4 years, Weve gone through 5 batteries, 2 water pumps, 2 window motors, a washer pump, a blown freeze plug and a front seat, plus now with 50k miles the dealer says the ball joints are shot, the transfer case is leaking and the cooling system is corroded (even though they serviced it). After the 3 year warranty expired we tried to get Dodge to help us out at least a little bit but they told us to go to hell. Overall a bad car and a worse car company. Avoid at all costs.