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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  i love this car - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By kjones - June 26 - 10:55 am

  I bought my durango in 2006 with 80,000 mi on it. Since then the only major repairs I have done were the water pump and the blend door. Being two separate transactions only totaled about $2800 both done by Firestone. I have had an issue with turning off at a stop light with little to no warning. But if you let the engine warm up it is an amazing truck. I now have 168,000 mi on it and it is still running strong. My favorite feature on the truck is the seating. The entire family can go on trips comfortably. With seating for up to 9 people and 2nd and 3rd row fold flat seats makes moving a breeze. I would absolutely recommend this car. I will own this car till the wheels fall off.

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  The Best Piece of Crap Ever - 1992 Dodge Spirit
  By Andrew - June 26 - 6:39 am

  Drove the hell out of this car (I got it when I was 16, now Im 23). Gone 120 on the highway, hill hopping, off roading, trash can bowling, and even hit a deer going at a decent speed. Took out a mailbox going 45 and only left a small indent in the bummer. Spend my late teens burning out a lot. The tranny has held together like a champ, I do rust through tail pipes once every 1.5 years though. You do have to watch the oil closely this thing Burns oil like it is gas. Got it at 150,000 miles and drove for another 60k. This glorious dump just keeps running. If you are looking for a cheap beater get a v6 model with low miles and then get on down the road, you wont regret it.

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  2004 Durango 5.7/V-8 HEMI - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Desert Raven - June 25 - 12:29 pm

  We love the third row seating, the one feature we miss since we traded in our 04 Pilot on our Ridgeline. So last September we traded our Neon in on the Durango. I had gone to look at Pilots (better MPG) but the best deal I could find was the Durango. Since our purchase, we have averaged 19.0 MPG, driving all over Southern California. We take our Durango everywhere.

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  What was i thinking? - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By bbgurl - June 25 - 11:43 am

  There is something wrong with the Dodge avenger that I purchased. Within the first year of owning the vehicle it has shut off while driving at least 5 times. I was driving on the highway at 80 mph and the car shut off the wheel wouldnt turn and brakes wouldnt work. After the car stopped on it own, on the highway. I put it in park and turned engine off then back on. After that the car just stalls in the worst possibly moments. It doesnt move matter how many times I press the gas pedal until it wants. Then I couldnt get the car off of park. This is the worst car ever, I have been in and out of Dodge service b/c there is always something wrong.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By booter - June 24 - 10:11 pm

  Bought the vehicle at 82,000. Had a problem with the water pump. Worst place to put a water pump right in the middle of the engine. That cost about a grand if you do it yourself. right now i am pushing 110,000 and havent had any problems. I straight piped my car and put on a performance air filter. Because of those little adjustment to my car i get about 30 to 32 on the highway. Overall it is a wonderful car and hope that it last until 250,000.

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  Very happy with 2003 caravan - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By heatherj - June 24 - 9:31 pm

  This is our 3rd van, and it has been terrific. 3 teenage sons all learned to drive on it, so there has been bodywork done, but no major repairs have been needed. :) have always had recommended maintenance carried out on schedule, though. It starts in -35 degree weather without being plugged in (its in Canada) and air conditioning works like a dream when we have +80 f temperatures. It has been ideal with two kids playing sports and lots of trips to out-of-town games. This is my third Dodge caravan, the first being a 1983, the second a 1999, and I would buy another anytime. Great family vehicle, affordable, good mileage. Very practical vehicle.

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  Paperweight - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Rychkid - June 23 - 9:02 am

  I purchased this car used, primarily for the size, looks, and 4WD. While the 4WD is great in the snow, everything else is a nightmare. It was in the shop 6x in the first 3 mos. The transmission went at 80K, upper ball joints at 82K, brakes at 85K, A/C & heat at 87K, power steering at 100K, leaking oil at 108K. This is the biggest piece of garbage that I have ever owned. I absolutely hate this vehicle. Do yourself a huge favor and steer clear. Its not built to last at all. The room inside & 4WD are great, but the price of repairs and annoyance factors will drive you insane. I cant wait to pick up my new vehicle. Again, stay far, far away.

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  So far so good. - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By frank - June 22 - 8:37 pm

  Sorry for the guy who had a lot of problems on page 1 but i traded my Plymouth Voyager 4-cyl. with 280,000 REAL MILES, got it new (1998) and drove it to death and just wore it out! so i wanted to give dodge another try since i had good luck with my mini-van, so far just 1500 miles on it and i like it a lot, quiet-solid-comfortable and good mileage for a v-6. 24 every day.

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  Another lemon - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By unhappy in ny - June 22 - 11:18 am

  Had this car six months now. Second time that all electrical power was lost while driving. Very dangerous. Also nothing locks gear handle in place so it is easy to bump it out of drive.

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  Brakes - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By dolamiti - June 21 - 7:25 pm

  I just bought this 2010 Journey SXT with the V-6. At 50 miles the front brakes started vibrating so bad you could feel it in the steering wheel and also the drivers seat started shaking. When you apply the brakes at a normal level, the front end started shaking and it gets worse until you come to a stop. I called the dealer when I got home and am returning the Journey and getting my 2008 Commander back. They will have to undo the deal.