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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  Very Disappointing. Will Never Buy Again - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By amandas26 - September 1 - 7:56 pm

  Ive owned this car for about 3 years now and have constantly been having issues with the brakes. My power steering is about ready to go out for the second time. My radio shorted out and as soon as I got that fixed my Sirius radio quit working. Trunk leaks etc. I had a 97 Plymouth Breeze for 5 yrs. and never even had to replace the battery the whole time I owned it, I only had to get the head gasket replaced WAY after 100,000 miles. The Avenger is nowhere close to that and it already runs like a car that is 10 yrs. old. What happened Chrysler? Other than all of the mechanical problems, and hard hits to the checkbook, the car looks great! I still get compliments almost everyday.

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  Exhausted! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By kristy - September 1 - 4:37 pm

  I have had to take my Journey back to the dealership SEVEN times for brakes/rotors. It is currently there as we speak. they are running tests to see what I am doing to the car? What the heck? I am not doing ANYTHING to the darn car! It is a piece of junk! Chrysler should really do a recall and help the owners get out of the car! I am not satisfied at all!! I have had 3 cases open with Chrysler and they will not do anything to help! I will NEVER again buy a Chrysler!! AC issues, alarm going off for no reason (and you can not make it stop)..they say they cant find the problem! Really? The problem is this car is not worth all of the headache it is causing!

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  Should of bought a Ford - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By 2009 Dodge Journey R - September 1 - 4:00 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my Journey. It shakes when I stop. I had to have new rotors at 10,000 miles now at 20,000 its doing the same thing. The front end makes loud noises when I back out of my driveway. About once a week everything in the car shuts down and I have to restart it. It makes a humming noise when in idol. I am so tired of taking it to the dealer. I asked them if others have had problems and they tell me no. Someone told me it was one of the first Journeys off of the assembly line and thats why Im having so many problems. I have 21,000 miles on it and I want to get rid of it. "My Dodge Journey is a LEMON!"

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  Cute, fun, but loud w/front end issues - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By mainer580 - September 1 - 10:02 am

  I like the car but it is very loud, (road noise), it has developed a number of squeaks and the front end tie rod ends have needed replacing a couple of times already at only 37,000 miles. The car also has a lot of blind spots. I would never buy one again.

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  60,000 miles and no problems - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Jason - September 1 - 1:39 am

  I love my Nitro. I originally went to buy a Caliber but was talked into test driving the Nitro and bought it that day. Aside from the recalls I have had no major issues. The only minor issues have been that it will sometimes stall when backing up in a tight radius (backing into garage in alley). Only happens once a month though. Overall Im very happy with it.

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  Journey - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Journey - August 31 - 2:49 pm

  I have the nicest or shall I say the most expensive Journey. My Dodge Journey has been a nightmare. At 10,000 miles I needed new rotors at 11,000 new brake pads and now at 21,000 new rotors again. My computer box is going out, when I start the car nothing works. IO have to turn it off, wait and restart it. The trans mission hums when sitting at a stop light. I cant even back out of my driveway because if I over extend the wheel a tad it makes a very loud grinding noise. I have had some other parts on the turning wheel parts replaced. My car has been in the shop more than I have had it. Then it comes back with the same problems. The visibility is so bad I have a hard time backing up.

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  "Cool" - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By HuiHui - August 31 - 12:54 pm

  I owned a 71 r/t and have regretted the very day I got ride of it. Until two weeks ago. I got a r/t with the classic package. And wow what a wonderful car. The motor, interior are outstanding. If you are looking for and American muscle car, do yourself a favor and try the Challenger, you wont be disappointed, we arent!

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  Cheap Vehicle that Dodge wont repair - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By puddles72 - August 31 - 12:57 am

  We bought our caliber sxt in August of 2007. Not overly impressive in performance and ride. Recently, weve been having having problems with the electrical system. First time (8/27/10) the car died (and the first trip to barnett White bear Dodge), the Dodge "technician" (no joke, thats what they were identified as) claimed it was fine and sent it home. The second time (8/28/10) the car died, we were asked to have it towed in to be repaired. The technician proclaimed it battery failure and couldnt possibly be anything with the electrical system. They didnt bother to check that out and werent about to based on our concerns about the cars problems. They claim that model is a "great" one. Its still crap.

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  Dodge this Neon - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By MrOtoko - August 30 - 1:23 am

  Bought this car w/salvage title. Owned since 04, and put 75k mi on it (113k total now). There seem to be a lot of technical problems with it, but Im not sure if that is due to the salvage title. Cant mess with the tranny or it will go out. Most everything went out by 100k. AC is cold, but I think I have radiator fan problems so it overheats. Mechs say its an O-ring problem but they are WRONG all the time (already fixed that 3 times!!! and still overheating - even when idle and no AC on. Car was discontinued for a reason.

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  Best V6 Retro Muscle Car - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Daily Driver - August 29 - 3:48 pm

  I bought the 2010 SE with V6 and automatic. Also the customer preferred group package 25G which includes 18" wheels, fog lamps etc and the leather interior group option. The high output 3.5 liter V6 has plenty of get up and go. I find it has more than enough pick up when you need it. It cruises well and has an excellent ride. Cabin is quiet and roomy. Trunk is large.