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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  Lemon! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mcbrown - August 27 - 4:39 pm

  Weve been driving this for 14 months. We have replaced tires, brakes, door lock, etc. Had an Explorer before and loved it, but had transmission issue. Id take the transmission issues over this one any day of the week! Do not buy this car! Do not buy tires from the dealers, they will not help you if you have a blowout before youve put 200 miles on it. Ive complained to the dealer about my brakes since about 3 months after purchase. Was told there were no issues, it was a new car and would take some time to wear in. Surprisingly, after 1 year, they told me that the brake pads were gone and needed to be replaced and that the rotors had damage as well. Will never buy Dodge again!

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  A year update - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Jaclyn - August 27 - 3:37 pm

  Last year I commented on how bad the car chews up tires. On set 4 in 3 years! {Over $2000 in tires...ugh} Like everyone else, I now need new lower ball joints in the front end. {$58.00 for part} The car is bucking and getting horrible gas mileage {about $65+ a week in gas! And its a 4 cylinder!) Emissions light is on. {probably need an O2 censor} Had to replace the headlights. {Not hard, just dont touch the bulbs!} Still have problems with sunroof not closing. Have to actually open a window cause it gets to pressurized to work. And right door doesnt unlocked when it gets cold.

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  Hate it! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Mindy - August 26 - 5:50 pm

  I purchased this vehicle just over 2 years ago and immediately started having problems with rattles, was told it was normal. In the past year I have been through 4 sets of tires, tie rods (twice), control arms and bushings, sway bar link, catalytic converter, power steering, alternator, sensors etc, etc, etc. I do drive a lot for my job but I feel this is a bit excessive. This past weekend I purchased another set of tires last ones I got 8000 miles on them and by Monday when I went in for my alignment they were already showing wear and to top it off my vehicle is so far out of alignment they cant get it back in. Actually called Dodge to complain today and am waiting for them to call back.

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  Worst new car I ever purchased - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By vehicle1 - August 18 - 12:42 pm

  After two weeks of riding in my new Caliber, I began to experience consistent problem with tires and clanging noises. After several trips to dealer, problem remedied, only to reoccur few months later. Did I purchase the only defective 2010 on the lot?

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  Gear box - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Davis - August 13 - 11:30 am

  I have a 2008 Avenger and got in it last night and could not get it out of park. Also the trunk leaks and have not been able to understand what the problem is. On the gears had to override the safe box just to get it to the Dodge House. I am sure for one little plastic piece they are going to want me to buy a hole new gear box.

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  Worst SUV ever! - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By bobby - July 21 - 3:34 pm

  Weve owned this Durango for 3 years and we have had more issues that all our other vehicles combined! dash board lights come on constantly, the dealer cant find anything! steering wheel is too loose, cheap plastic interior pieces falling, I will NEVER buy a DODGE vehicle again!

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Cheryl - July 20 - 2:03 pm

  Owned this car for 11 months now. Wish I had never bought it. Not worth 1/2 of what I paid for it. Sunroof leaked and had to be replaced within a few months of purchase. Paint peeling off front bumper already. No power, lucky if I can keep it up to 30 mph going through the mountains unless going downhill. Ive driven a mini van that performed better. Terrible in the snow and now the brake pads are already completely gone. Radio quits working sometimes. Wish I had kept my Toyota.I plan to get rid of it soon and never buy another Dodge.

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  The worst car ever! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By lisalee - July 14 - 9:54 am

  This is the worst car ever! At 5,000 miles the caliper froze up, Chrysler wanted the dealer to turn my rotor instead of putting a new one on needless to say that didnt happen, at 24,000 the transmission had to be replaced, at 27,000 the power steering rack and pump had to be replaced, at 30,000 miles the lower control arms, linkage to the sway bars had to be replaced. This is the most unreliable car ever! Chrysler says its my problem not theirs!

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  Do not buy! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Shanno - July 7 - 5:01 pm

  Well where do I begin with this thing. Lets see 3 day of having the dealership had to have it towed. I pulled out of my garage and her a bang and extremely loud clicking. Ends up the piston rod went through the engine. The tires had to be replaced 4 months later. At 6 months later needed new brake pads. A year later brought it in to be inspected and needed 2 grand of work. Still brake problems and had 4 different garages look at it and nobody can figure out whats wrong with them. Very noisy the Body is cheap but sporty and nice looking. Not as good on gas as they say. Terrible trade in value if you can trade it in. After 2 years I cannot find a dealer to take as trade.

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  Do not buy this car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Nikki - July 6 - 3:34 pm

  Six months after I bought this car the transmission has all but stopped working. I then find out that Chrysler has problems with these transmission.but certainly dont stand by their failure to provide a quality product. Then I find out Chrysler hasnt even released the tools to rebuild the transmission. I will have to get another one. This car is also horrible for comfort. My back hurts all the time while driving. This would only be good for a to and from work car...if you want to replace the transmission.