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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  Uses oil - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By 4white - March 30 - 6:14 pm

  About 32,000 miles started using oil. Contacted dealer done oil consumption tests proved that it used 1 quart of oil in 1,000 miles they contacted Chrysler. Per an agent at Chrysler industry standard is 1 quart every 1,000 miles under 50,000 and 1 quart every 750 miles over 50,000 miles. My advice....do not buy any chrysler products!!! They think it is normal for a new vechile to use oil.

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  Done with Dodge/Chrysler - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By maximusminus - March 2 - 8:24 pm

  I bought a 2004 Dodge Stratus SE almost new and paid $11,500, well below what I would have paid for an equivalent Japanese make. I was willing to look past its relatively outdated powertrain and somewhat sluggish performance in stop and go traffic until I hit 57k miles on the odometer. After that, I was taking this car in for costly repairs on a regular basis. For instance, I was replacing brakepads every 10k miles, the shocks needed replacement every 20k. After coughing up about $13,000 in repairs & maintenance in six years, I had enough. Im back driving a Toyota Camry with no issues. My advice: invest a little more money in a Toyota, Honda and save yourself time and money down the road.

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  my dodge journy - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By nothappening - February 26 - 9:09 am

  Bought dodge 2010 (new) was good in start, but have had prob in the last month. Engine light has come on twice from no where and wanted to die on me. shakes crazy going down road, have had it at dealer 3 times. now when lights are on , the dashboard goes dim and resets itself. brakes squeek, and the bumper sliding out they have temp fixed. when i accelorate, it kicks in a lower gear and doesnt want to go, and if i stop completely at stop sign, it sputters and act likes it want to die. Been in contact w/ chrysler and so far they are ok, but now i will try and see if they can purchase my car back and offer diff, express my concern to dealer/chrysler. HELP!!

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  Looks Great But Look Elsewhere - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By hu5k3y - February 22 - 8:57 pm

  It has a sharp body with aggressive lines but that is where the great qualities end. It has the potential to be a great light SUV with its size, sharp turning radius, and rear-end that refuses to loose grip but thats where the good qualities end. To create a light SUV dodge has made the front and back seats very compact so its far from roomy. The Nitros suspension transfers most every bump in the road to the passengers but doesnt have body roll like some SUVs. As the driver you feel unattached to the Nitro with the vague steering and throttle response. Fuel mileage is also a problem since its no better than its larger Dodge counterparts. In review, light SUV with no real feel or perks.

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  The plan was good. - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By sprog - February 11 - 12:25 am

  Started having quite a few problems with it after about 100k miles - A/C would only work at certain times (never could figure it out), as well as quite a few other things. Poor paint job - it was actually tan, but would show up sort of purple at night. Kind of neat, but it started flaking off. Had cooling problems with it as well.

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  Do Not Take In Rain - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By angelgirl11684 - February 8 - 9:36 pm

  I have had this car for about 3-1/2 years now and i cannot wait till i can get rid of it. I have to hold onto it for at least another three months and have constantly had problems with it not starting and the radio going out. Also my front passanger window can now only go up using the drivers side and supposedly theres no problem with it. But the worst thing almost everytime it rains the car loses control and wont stop. Ive had to replace the tires and breaks and it still happened. I would not suggest this car to anyone, espically if you have alot of rain. I have had to take to having people lend me their cars in rain or drive me to be safe.

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  Caliber Heat 2.0 CVT - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By woodyzim - February 2 - 10:53 am

  Mines a CVT, but "5-speed manual" was all that was listed. Handles great, fantastic brakes, but no power. Comfortable & rides nice, but lots of wind noise. Dealers had to reattach shielding inside both front wheel wells 3 times so far & its loose again right now. My main complaint is the mileage. Again, mine has the CVT transmission & the 2.0 motor. I drive 4 blocks from my home to the the 4-lane interstate every morning. I then drive 22 miles on the interstate with the cruise control engage & exit. I then 1 mile to the front door of my employer. I do this twice a day 5 to 6 days a week. I believe all of this would be considered "highway" miles. My Dodge Caliber Heat is averaging 21 MPG!

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  Its a LEMON! Do not think twice. Its a Lemon. - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By may25 - December 7 - 9:25 pm

  I bought this car in July 2009. Ive been to the dealership over 25 times. It started with a mold smell from AC. Not duplicated. Cowel broke, 3 out of 4 windows did not work. Steering Column loose. AC broke and replaced and now after a year and half, it now smells like glue better then mold. Many more problems too many to list. All before 12,000 miles. The 1st Lemon Law we lost. Now approved for 2nd Arbitration. This car has been a nightmare and I would never buy a Dodge again. I drive my husband old car and only drive the Journey when they make me. LOL Cannot wait to get rid of it. It will be a happy day. I love it when they tell me "not duplicate".

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  Unhappy w/ 2nd charger - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 2:13 pm

  I currently drive a 2008 charger I bought used in August. This car has already had a new transmission and has been in the shop 5 times. I had all my dummy lights come on (which I have pictures of) imediately took it in to have the dealership find no codes. The car at one point was stalling to again find no codes. Currently it is in the shop for kicking, stalling, and occasionly not going in reverse. Just got off the phone with the dealership and again no codes. I dont know what to do. I have already taken it to a different dealership. This is my replacement charger I previously had an 07 that I had to tow to dealership to find out it had frame damage not reported in carfax.

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  2005 minivan - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By David - November 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. every week a new problem power doors work on twice still sometimes do not open or close. alternator replaced water pump replaced. very bad gas mileage. difficult to get in or out for me i am 6ft 1in. [non-permissible content removed] but i guess all are now. I have 1994 minivan that is still a great vehicle me and my ife prefer to drive it. 23,000 miles so and not near the repairs i have had with the 2005. i will never buy another American car co. cars again.selling the 2005 good riddance. going with Japanese vehicles for now on.