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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  We call it Shake Rattle and Roll - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Stacy GA - July 7 - 2:50 pm

  This truck shakes. It vibrates. Took it back to the dealership 5 times in 5 months. Finally had to call Chrysler when the dealership became very rude with me. They didnt know what to do with it. It was still under the manufacturers warranty but they kept telling me it was brake issues and tire issues. Had all that replaced. Truck was still vibrating. They repaired some kind of axle shaft. Still vibrating. Put 4 new tires on it and turned the front rotors. Didnt vibrate for about 3 months. Now its vibrating again. Its a piece of crap just because of this vibration that no one can make permanently go away.

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  Premature brake, rotor and caliper problem - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By tatumfamily - July 1 - 4:56 pm

  Bought may 2008! Squealing brakes jan 2009! Replaced of all brakes April 2009. Sept 2009 squealing starts again. Dec 2009 was told front brakes need to be replaced. Feb 2010 front brakes replaced! April 2010 squealing come back. June 2010 back brakes replaced and caliper torn and replaced as well! My Camry is 5 yrs old, my husbands truck that we traded in for this journey was 4 yrs old! Never was or has a brake been replaced! Car is 2 yrs old! More to story but the point is: please call Dodge and file a complaint! I already have. I also have put in a complaint at www.nhtsa.gov and www.bbb.com please also do this! Takes a minute but well worth my familys safety!

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  Premature Brake Wear! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By JMeyer - June 29 - 6:43 pm

  Had to put new front pads on at 12,800! Need new front pads, rear pads and new rear rotors at 19,800. Service tech at dealer informed me of an issue with the pads from the manufacturer. They are replacing them with longer lasting pads. These brakes are faulty and Chrysler doesnt want to take responsibility.

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  Is it worth it? - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By Kmfury7 - June 28 - 12:31 pm

  I got this car in June of 2009, it was a 1999 dodge avenger. After 2 weeks of having it, and being a new driver, the ball joint on the top right went out! Not only did that accident freak me out but so did the price to fix it (940.00$). this car is bad going over pot holes or divits in the road. The engine also has an odd tick to it. Not the best for a first car. Sun roof and stock sound system are pretty sick.

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  The Best Piece of Crap Ever - 1992 Dodge Spirit
  By Andrew - June 26 - 6:39 am

  Drove the hell out of this car (I got it when I was 16, now Im 23). Gone 120 on the highway, hill hopping, off roading, trash can bowling, and even hit a deer going at a decent speed. Took out a mailbox going 45 and only left a small indent in the bummer. Spend my late teens burning out a lot. The tranny has held together like a champ, I do rust through tail pipes once every 1.5 years though. You do have to watch the oil closely this thing Burns oil like it is gas. Got it at 150,000 miles and drove for another 60k. This glorious dump just keeps running. If you are looking for a cheap beater get a v6 model with low miles and then get on down the road, you wont regret it.

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  What was i thinking? - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By bbgurl - June 25 - 11:43 am

  There is something wrong with the Dodge avenger that I purchased. Within the first year of owning the vehicle it has shut off while driving at least 5 times. I was driving on the highway at 80 mph and the car shut off the wheel wouldnt turn and brakes wouldnt work. After the car stopped on it own, on the highway. I put it in park and turned engine off then back on. After that the car just stalls in the worst possibly moments. It doesnt move matter how many times I press the gas pedal until it wants. Then I couldnt get the car off of park. This is the worst car ever, I have been in and out of Dodge service b/c there is always something wrong.

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  Another lemon - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By unhappy in ny - June 22 - 11:18 am

  Had this car six months now. Second time that all electrical power was lost while driving. Very dangerous. Also nothing locks gear handle in place so it is easy to bump it out of drive.

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  Dont do it! Cheap tranny! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By yoyoNvegas - June 19 - 12:34 am

  i got this car with only 50,000 miles on it had tranny serviced car automatic was shifting rough and getting stuck and shifting. had this problem fixed before and it came back after a year! Besides that no other issues car only has 70,000 miles on it

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  Dodge Stratus: Built to be a Rental Car - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By turtledude558 - June 10 - 4:01 am

  This car is BLAND. Nothings gone wrong for the time that Ive owned it, but theres just nothing special about this car. Exterior is anonymous and blends in with other cars and the interior feels cheap. Fuel economy is weak and power from the V6 is only adequate. Ride is decent when on smooth surfaces. Cars composure is easily lost when driving over bumps. Annoying high-pitched noise can be heard when depressing the accelerator (but not accelerating hard).

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  Junk - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Mark - June 7 - 11:35 pm

  Its a 70,000 mile car. After that- look out. Alternator clutch- starter- tranny runs rough. Just not made for someone who needs dependability. And since its "fairly new" part prices are outrageous. $200 for a starter. $120 for an alternator clutch. What the hell is that?