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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  Stay Away From A Neon!!! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Not a good car!!!!! - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I used to own this vehicle and then traded it in for a "Honda" product. You just cant compare the two! You name it, I had it go wrong with my Neon! Headgasket (twice!), breaks, fuel indicator...reading full, when in fact empty....Air Conditioning, interior lighting, etc..etc..etc!! Unless, there are significant improvements, I suggest scrapping the Neon all together!! And avoid all the consumer headaches!!!!

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  MINE - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By MIKE WILLMAN - October 23 - 2:00 am

  NUMEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, BAD RACK AND PINION 6000 MI, BAD FRONT ROTORS, 1500 MI, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED AGAIN 21000 MI, REARS STRUTS ANS SPRINGS REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF NOISE CLUNKING OVER BUMPS, BAD TIE ROD END, 8000 MI, BAD MOTOR IN POWER WINDOW DRIVERSIDE, SEAT PANS RUSTED AND WERE PAINTED, 4 TIRES REPLACED DUE TO BAD RACK AND PINIONJ AT 22,OOO MI, IS THIS ENOUGH??????

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  built on a Friday - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By jason08641 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I had to give this car a 1 all the way down mostly because of the crappy service I got at Lucas Dodge in NJ. My neon has an intermittant electrical problem that made my car die at least twice a week. Lucas said nothing was wrong with my car or they were too stupid to fix it. Also a/c compressor went out and oil leaks all over the place. Do not buy a Dodge, especially a neon! Definately steer clear of the new svt or whatever its called. Its just going to be a highly polished turd.

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  piece of crap - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By billlotida - October 5 - 2:00 am

  In the beginning I thought buying the viper is such a nice car, I felt so special driving it. That is until I was on date with my girlfriend when it stalled. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere for hours. The 24 roadside assistance they promised us was of no help the mechanic they sent us did not know anything.

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  Stay away from this van! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By pbwaters75 - August 18 - 8:00 am

  Purchased this van Dec. 2005. It was part of a previous rental fleet and had 29000 miles. We used it has a family vehicle and had it 4 years. It was great until we turned 50K. After that, all down hill. Rack and pinion had to be replaced, electrical problems, tie rod ends, burning oil, and the end-all the transmission started slipping. Went to the nearest dealer and traded. The vechicle was well maintained for the time we owned it. Its too bad that Chrysler cant put some reliability into the countrys "best selling van."

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  Caravan redefines poor quality - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Krysler Krap - August 5 - 2:00 am

  What a piece of junk. The body work is simply awful. The sheet metal is too thin. The hinge that holds the front door broke free from the body of the vehicle. The Air Conditioner keeps breaking.

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  Since I bought this nothing but problems - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By Hobbob - July 27 - 3:57 pm

  When I first got this I was so excited it was so nice I could not say that now. I have already fixed 6/9 recalls on this big poop of a vehicle some where repeats because the fix they had available didn’t fix the problem after all or caused more problems. Computer had at least 3 updates at $20 a piece. Some are simple recalls others are break failure accerator fire hazards etc. During one of the times it was at the dealer they took over a week to fix and no replacement vehicle offered. I finally went in to demand I have my car back since they didn’t seem to be doing anything and I was getting the run around every day was oh it will be ready tomorrow or later today. They informed me that the mechanic went home and had taken my keys with him. Went back a few hours later they had the keys but misplaced the truck waited 30mins for them to finally inform me that I could not have my car back because the power steering was not working and I would have to pay to fix it since it was like that when I dropped it off. Mind you it was not and I was on the phone with the managers or whatever several times since he kept informing me on when it would be done and increasing cost with updates etc. eventually they said it was their fault that they had unplugged it while it was in service and of course it wasn’t like that when I dropped it off. Okay You may be thinking that’s a problem with the dealership no worries. A day after receiving my car back I got a notice of yet another recall. Currently not even 6 months after receiving my car back I have two more recalls. My key will not read half the time it has a brand new battery and just today I am having acceleration problems. This is a 2012 car that’s 5 years old and already have 11 recalls 3 updates and cannot use my car at this moment as it is unsafe to drive. One of the current recalls is the alternator which may catch fire or cause it to stall out etc but they have no fix for this issue so I need to continue checking back with them Incase they figure it out. So if you decide you want a truck to only work part time to spend money on fixing problems left and right I would highly recommend this. If however you want reliable transportation that won’t catch fire, breaks, fail or have acceleration problems I would recommend anything even a tricycle before this. In addition small parts keep popping off like covers for screws etc which is annoying every time you vaccuum your car you have to continue popping them back in. Lift gate won’t stay up anymore and easy exit not longer works. I am not per say a dodge hater I am just tired of being screwed by this truck so much money wasted in purchasing since this is my first dodge I probably will not be buying another however my husband does have a ram 1500 we purchased after purchasing mine that is working fine. Other details are I average 10 mpg in city, back row is non existent as it is small and hard to get in and out of with back row up space is really limited. Car seats are a squeeze to fit expecally when rear facing not impossible though just not all seats will fit. Blind spots are not so bad until you have a car seat blocking the way. Ac seems to be running good both front and back. Remote start no longer works.

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  What a piece of junk!!! - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By pwkam - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Engine block leaking oil right after the warrenty expire. I change oil every 4000 miles and have a good maintenance record. I sold it to the carmax because I am worry about tranmission problem will show up.

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  Very Poor - 1991 Dodge Shadow
  By PaulOhio - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The transmission leaked from the moment I got this car. The doors are poorly designed so that you can hear too much wind noise ans the seals around the doors slide so water leaks in. I got the car with only 56,000 miles on it but it was terrible from day 1. Stay away from this car. The hatchback wouldnt even stay up because the hydrolic arms were cheap.

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  lemons - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By lemon dodge - June 30 - 2:00 am

  dont buy any dodge or chrysler products. they are all lemons!!! my durangos transmisson is no good and dealership(security dodge of amityville ny) refuses to honor the srvice warranty last time i buy an american car. japanese car better build. after i pay it off i will trade in. buy a honda!!!