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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  Tin Can - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By IHATEDODGE - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is a Tin Can. I wished I had read ALL of the reviews before I purchased it. Bad Brakes, Starting problems, CD player does not work. Have to take off Antenna for radio to work properly. Tire sensor broken. All around failure! Help me Toyota!

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  Broke Down Already - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By snoop - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I read all the reviews and dismissed the bad ones, well I should of took to heart what was said people dont want to admit they bought 3rd class. Well these cars are a pain. Loud ticking under hood (dealer claims its the injectors, tranny slips, and the car is already rusting underneath low tire pressure light is on no matter what I am sure this review will get a lot of not helpfuls but believe this is typical Dodge quality (junk)

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  exterior mirrors - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By owner - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I am 5 ft 2, the driving part of this SUV isnt the problem, its the outside mirrors. Left turn or right turn it doesnt matter I lose view. I have been trying for a month to get Chrysler and the car lot to help me remedy this, I cant get help, I do have case numbers with both, they say there are no replacement mirrors and they cant put a power seat in, so now I must drive a car Im scared to drive, this is truly a problem that should be in a recall! So nothing bad has to happen and then they put a recall out. Please dont contact me, Ive already talked to everyone

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  Car shuts down on freeway - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By sarahleigh - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my stratus for four years. I have had to replace the cold air intake, transmission parts, fuses, water pump, timing belt, and starter. Every few months something else is wrong with this car. The latest episode was the car engine shut off in the middle of th freeway going 70 leaving me without power steering or braking. My car did not give any warning signs before this. no smells, sounds or rough handling. Not only did this car almost kill me but has often left me stranded.

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  Has a Weak Link - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Discusted - September 28 - 2:00 am

  My wifes 04 SXT still has under 70,000 miles on it. Recently, the radiator blew. This sent transmission fluid into the engine, and coolant into the transmission. New radiator install, $350. Tranny rebuild $1,800. The transmission shop said, "We see this all the time." Dodge counts on you being a foolish American consumer, wrapped up in keeping up with the Jones. My 92 Toyota Tercel with 170,000 miles on it is not a chick magnet but when a lady wants to go out for the night, rest assured I can get her there. Shame on you Dodge, I am sure this is only the start of Neon failures.

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  Mistake - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Upset - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought Dodge Avenger 2008 and have not been happy with it overall. I bought it on Sep 14th, and I had airbag light come on Sep 17th, for no reason at all. Its unsafe, because when air bag light is ON it means that the air bags are OFF, and I was upset about it all weekend. On Sep 20th my mechanic found the transmission fluid leakage! after driving for few days and regularly applying breaks I discovered that all 4 brake pads and the rotors need to be replaced. The actual seating is somewhat comfortable, but it rides like crap! It feels very bumpy, like the car has worn out, or no shock absorbers. I test drove it on a smooth road, now I drive it and it feels so rough. I am disappointed.

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  Dont buy Dodge - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By mboyd0026 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car in early 2008. Within the first week the car was parked and upon returning it would not start AT ALL. It had to be towed on a roll back to the dealer to fix. It took a week for them to fix a sensor issue from when it was built at the factory. Then within the next 2 months the transmission started to shift hard and at times stall. Then around 12,900 miles on it the brakes went out on the front. I was told this was normal wear and tear? To date we have replaced the shift module 4 times and the brakes 2 times. The trunk leaks and the car stalls occasionally. Airbag sensor has been out twice. And the tire pressure sensor comes off and on.

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  Caught fire - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By bcon - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Well the wife needed a 7 passenger auto for the kids. We decided on the journey r/t. After 12k miles needed new breaks. After a year new $211.00 a tire tires. As my wife was driving home she noticed a smoke smell pulled over and the engine compartment was on fire with my 2 year old in the car. Dodge says its was not their fault but how does a 2009 new car just catch fire. Its impossible to reach any one at Dodge. If you value your life and the life of your family dont buy

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  Stuck with a lemmon - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Regina Benoit - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I like so many other consumers is very disappointed with my purchase of the 09 Journey. At 25,000 miles I had to have the front brake pads and rotors replaced on my car. I replaced all 4 tires before my car was a year old. After having the car 3 months the motor on the drivers side door had to be replaced. 5 months later the battery had to be replaced. I cant believe Ive had so many problems with a new car. I drove a Chevy Tahoe for 8 years before purchasing the Journey. I didnt start having problems with the Tahoe until I had 200,000 miles on it. I will never buy another Chrysler product and I have told Family and Friends to not buy Chrysler cars.

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  Its going GOING - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By got rid of it ! - September 20 - 2:00 am

  So I knew I was trading down from the grand Cherokee. Replace brakes the first time at 27k. All four of the tires at 35,000 (they are rated for 60k!) I had the dragging sound whenever I took a sharp left and also had to replace the wipers at 30k. Interior parts fell off the first week. The plastic guard by the drivers seat kept falling off. The plastic strip inside the drivers door had to be replaced because it came loose and would not stay on. And at 54k they said you need brakes again! Email to Chrysler and they could have cared less. So with 5 months to go on the lease it is going back. I bought a Nissan! Chrysler/Dodge should be ashamed of this car. But I know they are not.