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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  Stay away! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Kip - August 4 - 10:59 am

  Car is Extremely slow Do not ever attempt to pull out and think you have enough time this Car will not get out of its own way, Car Loses 35% Value as soon as it leaves the Lot I took Mine back and wanted to Trade for a R/T I paid 27,550 for the car they offered 18,000 for a car with 1500 miles. Really Stay away!

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  Did like it, now HATE it - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Bear - July 31 - 10:03 pm

  When we first bought the car it was wonderful. I loved it but the mileage absolutely stinks. There is no way I get even 20 mpg with this thing. I drive 37 miles one way and have to fill up at least twice a week. Then the transmission went out, and within 3 months the timing belt broke. Now I only have my A/C working when it is on 3 or 4, but nothing on 1 or 2. And to top that off the car makes lots of noise when stopping or starting. Sounds like the whole car is about to come off its frame. My opinion, I would never get another Dodge Stratus again.

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  Poor Qaulity - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By Ed - July 29 - 6:56 pm

  I have owned 4 new mini-vans, and my current dodge 2007 gr Caravan SXT will be my last Chrysler product ever. As other comments, transmission shifts very hard from 2 to 1. Will need repaired or replaced eventually. Second, several bulletins are out on this van. Wheel bearing(back)rust easily which is a huge safety problem. They also have a chronic ABS sensor and system problem. Like the stow and go. Road noise is terrible! Am in the market for a Honda Odyssey. Will be my first foreign car. Cant deal with the poor quality and poor customer service anymore from Chrysler!

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  Journey from hell, totally dissatisfied - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Sorry owner - July 28 - 11:04 pm

  Happy at first until staining on cloth seats, paid extra for "stain resistant" spray on seats. Funny noise when turning sharply to the left, when starting car sometimes engine runs but no air, radio, or lights. Auto Windows only work when they feel like it, many plastic pieces have broken off on interior, dash replaced 3 times, brakes had to be replaces along with rotors at low miles, needed new tires after 1 yr (very expensive) kuhmo is only option of tire. Tire problem causing vibration in steering wheel, then second vibration was improperly installed drive shaft (almost fell out!) most recent is car wont start randomly, dealership unable to duplicate problem. Do not buy this car!

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  2 Years - 2 Brake Jobs and more - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Ann - July 16 - 12:13 pm

  Plan on getting new brakes every 15,000 miles. 2 brake jobs in 2 years and now its in the shop for electrical system failure. The AC, turn signals and radio dont come on. Getting everything fixed is a problem.

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  2008 Dodge Avenger SXT - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Shaun - July 15 - 8:37 am

  I bought this car brand new in 2007. Since then, I had it in the shop numerous times. The most recent time was just this Monday, July 12, 2010. My cars shifter was stuck in park and would not budge. I googled this problem and it seems like A LOT of people are having the same issues. I had it towed and the dealership had to replace the enitre shifter assembly. NOTE: My car only has 43,000 miles on it! Dodge needs to do a recall on the shifter problem! (Also, the cup cooler quit working, there was a high pitch noise on front drivers side, had to replace brake pads and rotors but still had vibration in the car, and my back drivers side door has window issues) My advice: Dont buy this car!

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  Loves the truck but hates the repairs - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By drivesalot - July 14 - 2:46 pm

  I love this vehicle for its looks and comfort on longer drives but its constantly in the shop! After purchasing it I found out about all the down falls it has even though I looked for the negatives. When it gets to over 125,000 mi expect to have engine troubles soon after! Everyone I have met with one no matter how good they maintain theirs has had blown heads and needed new engines. Its great for getting through heavy snows but I have practically rebuilt the truck part by part since I bought it! No repair on it is cheap either. Even though I like the this vehicle if I could go back I would choose something else. I have put $1000s in repairs starting from a few months after purchasing it.

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  Reason I will never own another dodge - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By ebglock - July 13 - 11:33 am

  Great motor. transmission started giving trouble at 65k. Electrical problems massive. Switches,window regulators, speed sensors, etc., etc. Brakes crap with defective bearings from dodge.

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  Useless! - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By adam07 - July 11 - 8:40 am

  I am getting pretty tired of this car, the cheap plastic is giving me headaches because there is nothing i can rest my arm on! Its also a dog if you ever need to pass anybody and on top of that it gets bad gas mileage, around 15 mpg. We just drove down south and all I could fit was two golf bags, and two suitcases WITH the backseats folded down! So this car is pretty much useless, you cant carry a lot of things in it, has poor acceleration and the interior has all hard plastic and things are already squeaking after 6 months. DONT BUY!

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  Got what I paid for - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By ibakan - July 8 - 4:27 am

  Bought this in July, 08 with 80K miles because it was seemed to be a good value. The climate control unit had some glitches I soon discovered and soon stopped working. Had a couple mechanics do some diagnosis and weve not come up with answers except its not the control head, min. $200 for a good diagnosis and at least another $150 to fix. I was doing a lot of mountain driving at the time, so when my water pump failed it quickly overheated and developed a head gasket leak, est. repair cost is $500 - $1500. Starter is failing now too, so its time for my clean, good looking 95K mile Intrepid to be turned in because the cost to repair it all is higher than the value of the car.