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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  Do not bother buying this - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Bob - April 21 - 10:03 am

  I bought Dodge Grand Caravan 2005 in June 2005. It has not even completed 5 years. It has less than 50,000 miles on it. However, the problems that the van has is just mind boggling. My 1999 Corolla is more reliable and less costly in terms of repairs than Dodge Caravan. This is just a junk vehicle. I would never buy another Dodge product or recommend to anyone. Simply avoid it to save yourself lots of money, time, and aggravation.

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  Very dissapointed - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By J&J NY - April 11 - 5:35 pm

  We purchased this truck used as a lease turn in, we bought it 11/2009 w/ 28,000 miles, nothing on a car fax (seemed "clean" w/ the remainder of a 7/70 warranty. Its 4 1/2 months later. This truck has been back to the dealership 9 (nine) different times, and a total of 31 (yes, thirty one) days! And is still not right, engine lights still come on (abs, air bag, service engine & brake lights) has absolutely no power for a v8 magnum (but likes its gas), steering feels "sticky" or jumpy. Dealer recommended us buying max care warranty, that costs over $2000. Thought about hiring a lawyer and going after a lemon law or something! I rate this Dodge Dakota slt quad cab at -0 outta 10!

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  Not real happy - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By suparman - April 6 - 6:00 pm

  I have the 4.7 HO motor auto trans and tow package truck was great for 4 months off of the dealers lot. then had lots of issues gets 10 miles to the gallon at 50 k miles the cats are bad fuel pump broke. not real happy with it. I bought the truck to support domestic companies but I am not going to make that mistake again.

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  Dodge Nitro - What a piece of CRAP!!! - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By Mikey - April 2 - 2:06 pm

  When making a decision for a SUV, go buy another vehicle..VW Tiguan was better. The truck is like driving a brick with wheels. If you ever had ridden the "A" train, its sort of the same, the control is very stiff. Also, putting low profile tires and 20" chrome wheels on the car make it look good, but handling is worse. I test drove the same vehicle with 17" rims and it was a little better. Overall its just a shell of car, it looks good, but does not perform well. Dodge needs a redesign. Perhaps add a better engine, and controls.

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  13 mpg - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By db11464 - March 30 - 10:39 pm

  Clunky shifts from transmission 3.3liter only gets 13 mpg (60% city-40% highway) front end parts dont last.

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  1st and the LAST - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Used Not Improved - March 28 - 9:20 am

  Purchased the 07 Caliber SXT certified and can say it was a huge mistake. Poor ride quality, mileage is at best 23 on the hwy and high teens in the city. The CVT transmission is the real deal if your cruising or going down hill, but thats at best. Interior is very cheap, ride is similar to a 3/4 ton truck. Storage is not great, leg room is decent in the front but poor in the back, if you got a child seat in the back the front passengers knees will eat the dash. If you want quality get a GM, FORD, or Honda or something else. Dodge struck out big time on these!

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  Unreliable and Untrustworthy - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Ivory - March 24 - 6:21 pm

  I have now had this vehicle for approximately 2 years. It is now just over 112,000 miles. Just in the past 4 months, we have had to replace the transmission, both front tie rods and the radiator. The front windshield has a large crack from the drivers side to the passengers side which I refuse to replace at this time. The transmission went with little warning indication that it was going. Vehicle has been serviced on a fairly regular basis and is not abused.

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  Stay Away! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By LMB - March 18 - 10:05 pm

  I have a 2007 nitro yeah worst thing me an my husband ever did. As soon as it hit 30,000 miles it was in the shop at least a week out of every month if not more. Not one person wants to help find out what is wrong with it. Vibration at 65 mph Yep been there, new Transmission, torque converter, drive shaft you name it we have been there still not right. When you come to a stop an take off you can give it all you got to make it go then it like stalls but not to a stop just doesnt get up an go. Talked about trading it in but they dont wanna even give you what its worth.

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  Horrible brakes - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By tia - March 15 - 5:05 pm

  When brakes are applied and shift in reverse, it makes a horrible grinding sound. I took in to be looked at. I was informed it was normal due to metallic brake pads. I would not have bought it if I had known it.

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  Lemon Car In My Opinion - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By CaptDoc - March 15 - 2:44 pm

  I purchased this car Oct., 2009. It only had 82,000 miles on it then. It now has approx. 85,000. In the past 4 months I have put an additional $1,400 plus into this car replacing the following: starter, Oxygen Sensor (2), Distributor that had already been replaced a year ago by previous owner, fuel pump and fuel filter, some type of fan sensor as the the heat/air would only run in high (replaced twice in past year), and the catalytic converter. The car now makes a humming noise nobody can figure out and continues to sputter and die off and on which no body in the area can seem to figure out. I would not recommend this car to anyone or take it on long trips.