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:
Showing 2241 through 2250 of 11,324.00-
Engine issues - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
By Shonda - July 28 - 2:00 amI loved this car when I first got it. Its so comfortable and drives really nice. I had a couple of minor issues, which you can always expect when you own a car. The problem came when the oil light started coming on a few months ago. My oil didnt need changed so I didnt undertand the problem. The repair shop told me this is an issue w/ Dodge engines. The oil cannot circulate because of narrow passages and therefore cooks the oil, causing a sludge buildup. After researching I found that this really is a common problem among this car. Just do a search on "oil sludge Intrepid". Now my car has 51,000 miles and will die soon.
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Almost Bullet Proof Fun and Useful Ride - 2002 Dodge Dakota
By Mitchis57 - July 23 - 2:00 amThis is my third Dakota, 5.9 still can hold its own across intersections but fades quickly off idle, needs slightly more cam in mid range but that might take away some of its dependability and gas economy would suffer. Thinking of a supercharger. Going to Mobile 1 for remaining years of service. Thought of a Colorado but lacked the solid fun.
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#2015DODGEDARTSXT - 2015 Dodge Dart
By Frank Eckert - July 22 - 12:20 pmThe dodge dart sxt is a fun sporty,eye catcher sedan.great sound system.the Bluetooth connect is awesome,hands free is great.This sedan just loves the curves in the road,it hangs tight.Im pleased with my purchase of a Dodge Dart 2015 SXT,with only 3700 miles on it.
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Best Used Car I Ever Purchased! - 2000 Dodge Stratus
By Making me repost. - July 22 - 2:00 amIve owned this car almost 4 years now, and have only had one major repair to the fuel system. I agree with the squeeky brakes and minor road noise assessments, but it also gets great fuel economy for a 4 door sedan! the only minor problem Ive seen is with the wiring harness to the lights on the air conditioning console (they intermitenly go out). Overall, I am VERY satisfied with the vehicle. I am now over 100,000 miles and still going strong!
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gas mileage stinks! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
By thurmondhr - July 22 - 2:00 amLove the truck except for the gas mileage. I average 11 mpg in town, and 15mpg on the road. This is with the 4.7 v8 and automatic trans. I really like the way the rear doors open to almost 90 degrees, makes access very easy. The truck drives and rides very well and is easily parked, even for my wife who is only 5 ft. 3 in. All in all, a great truck except for the gas mileage.
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Nothing like the Spirit - 1992 Dodge Spirit
By gRANDE the XIV - July 20 - 2:00 amI have had this car since 94,000 miles - it has caused me minor problems, nothing out of ordinary from an old and aged car... very reliable, been through a lot. When Im in the spirit, all is well. Ive found when I take care of the spirit, the spirit takes care of me. It really has been reliable, but you should stay on top of its normal maintenance.
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Very good for price - 2005 Dodge Neon
By CAB - July 19 - 12:33 pmI was looking for a second car, cheap and economical. (Replacing a Corolla 99). Its less refined in the interiors but meet the requirements. It is more fun to drive, better equiped, and has outstanding audio (almost U$ 5000 less than Corolla, Civic and Mazda3 in Puerto Rico)An excellent car for the price!
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Stay Away - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
By jmadel - July 19 - 2:00 amThe engine had a tapping noise, couldnt repair it, Had to have the engine rebuilt by a third party company. Dodge will not acknowledge the poor design of the engine. I had a 94 Intrepid it was a much better car, better suspension, better everything, except transmission, my 94 tranny went at 69,000, and again at 117,000, so far the 2001 has 99,000 and tranny is still good, but starting to slip. If they put a 3.3L(like the 94) or even a 3.0L engine in it I would buy another. But I will never buy a car with a 2.7L Engine.
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Some problems but - 1997 Dodge Ram Van
By Msmary - July 18 - 10:00 amWe purchased the van new in 1997. It had been a good running vehicle other than every 3-4 years we had to replace the water pump. Pump cost 100 buck putting it in was 400. We never had a brake job until 2007. Took it in and the brakes fell off in the guys hand. But with the van at almost 150,000 miles, we are having more problems. I have already put in over $1000 into it and now the transmission is going out. They (mech) told me the brakes are going bad again also. Ive also notice it getting a bad oil leak now. But for 13 years she served her purpose. Overall, it was a nice family vehicle. If I had to do it over again. Dodge...yes
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NEON - EXCELLENT, NEVER NEEDS REPAIRS! - 1996 Dodge Neon
By BNeon - July 18 - 2:00 amCar was bought new in 96. Car has never failed me yet. Only returned to the dealer once for the infamous headgasket leak at 47k miles. Even though the car was out of warranty Chrysler fixed it for free! Car starts on the coldest mornings, A/C blows extremely cold on the hottest days. Car is very quick with the manual transmission, and gas mileage is excellent, can get 40mpg+ over the highway. Cant be happier with a car, cost $9000 new and still going strong! What more can you ask for?
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