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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  Great car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Dean - June 29 - 6:13 pm

  I now have 90k miles on my Stratus and have had only one problem so far, and thats the head gasket leaking oil, which seems to be the norm for this car. Its fun to drive and looks good. I love this car, and am thinking about getting a new one.

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  Love my Intrepid! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By azjoyce - June 29 - 4:56 pm

  The only problem I have had was the cooling fans being replaced at 60,000 miles. I had a 96 and loved it, bought my 2001 with 12,000 miles on it and have had no problems at all. I love the air conditioner - the best- especially in Arizona! I think the gas mileage is horrible! Window has always squeaked - map lights go on and off by themselves while driving. Of course it wont do it for the service dept.

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  Great buy - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By John - June 29 - 3:32 pm

  We went down a step, previously had a Grand Caravan. I was worried about space, but this van is surprisingly roomy for the size. Recently took it on a 3,500 mile trip and had plenty of room for a family of 4 and all our luggage. With the smaller engine, it doesnt accelerate as fast, but cruises just fine. We werent interested in a van with lots of bells and whistles (no need for automatic doors, etc. just more that can go wrong). This van has everything we need. A/C, AM/FM CD/cassette, cruise. Fuel economy is a plus. Also, my wife and daughter were recently hit by a red light runner in this van, it was easily repaired, and more importantly neither were hurt. Safety is a plus.

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  Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By serehill - June 29 - 1:36 am

  Extremely happy with car The performance of the 2.7 with the 3.90 rear end rocks. Love the styling but just didnt need the Hemi. Car seems well thought out & shows a strong Dailmer influence. I bought the basic blacked out no chrome model & installed 22" black wheels. The car was obviously made for these wheels It gives the car a kind of European/retro 70s blackout look. Good comfortable road car with a Detroit Iron feel. To be able to put the grocery getter on the road is a great versatility. Ive forgotten how much better a road trip is in a good road car.

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  dodge stratus coupe - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By mike - June 27 - 2:42 am

  I have owned this car for a few months now, and I have had no problems so far. It has great handling, good acceleration, and is fairly comfortable on long trips.

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  Dont buy one - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By cdc2272 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Dodge Stratus in the shop more times than I had my old beater in the shop. The heat has broken, my radio went out, the speaker wires were messed up, and now my brake light keeps coming on. This car is more of a hassel than it is worth. If anyone asked me before they purchased one, I would try and talk them out if it. And to top it off Chrysler Financial is a bear to deal with. I will never, ever purchase or lease a Dodge again! And refuse to ever deal with Chrysler financial in future endeavors.

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  TRANSMISSION WOES - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By puella - June 27 - 2:00 am

  my stratus has an automatic transmission...has a HARD downshift :( dodge says that the computer will learn my driving habits and the hard downshift will disappear by 6000 miles...hmmm the dealership service shop personnel drove all the strati on the lot and they all have the same problem...

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  Nice Affortable Truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By pcannon - June 25 - 10:00 am

  A real gem. Cute, functional, confortable, truck. Loved everything about the truck except an unrepairable wind noise leak around the driver side window seal. Also, with V8 the computer shut off fuel flow to engine without surprise at 97 mph. Understandably for safety, however operating paremeters should be disclosed in owners manual.

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  If you like to bounce - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By JudaStar - June 24 - 3:36 pm

  Ive had my Durango for 2 years. It is fully loaded and beautiful inside and out, metallic emerald green with dark gray leather interior. The sound system is great. I do have some complaints though. The ride is not so smooth but maybe its because of the big knobby Wrangler tires that I think are standard...and mine still has. I love the way the tires make the vehicle look but am thinking about replacing them with a tire that might make the ride smoother. The electric windows stick (Ive had them unstuck several times) and the brakes are sometimes scary. I have read other reviews complaining about the windows sticking and scary brakes.

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  Fun car.. no fun getting it towed - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By dougo - June 20 - 4:06 am

  My continued saga of problems had an unhappy xmas, my radiator burst... now I have had Brakes re-adjusted (for squeeling), Oil Pump failed, Power Steering failed, and now my Radiator. Getting my third towing in 2 months..... Yes I still love my car, but am getting sick of the problems. The wife is getting a new car shortly and it will be either a Honda or Toyota