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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  Bad Choice - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Mazz - December 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had numerous problems with my durango and have found the people at the dealership unhelpful. I also have gone to different Dodge dealerships but I find they all have crap service. When it rains, I have had problems with acceleration. Sometimes when I stop and acclerate nothing happens. The first time it happened I was stuck halfway across a busy intersection. I kept trying to accelerate and when it eventually kicked in I went into a spin. I have gone to several dealers and they tell me there is nothing wrong. I have no faith in my truck and am planning to get rid of it shortly. STAY AWAY FROM DODGE!!

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  THink Before you buy this Problem.... - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By John - December 18 - 11:51 am

  We bought this car in 2003 BRAND NEW...No problems the 1st 40k miles, different story after that. We had to have a new transmission/radiator at 63k miles, then the car completely fell apart after that, seriously every month there was something else breaking...suspension/ignition/cooling system. This was BY FAR the worst car we ever owned....If you want a cheap car, consider a civic or corolla because in the long run, you will POUR MONEY into this car... We will be trading it in december 09 to buy a honda. I WOULD NOT recommend anyone buy a neon that has over 60k miles on it(dodge strategically made the powertrain warranty 50k)

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  very disatisfied - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By tripet - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very unreliable. When it goes into the shop it is there for at leas a day or two. One time it was in the shop for three weeks. I will never buy another dodge product.

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  I would never buy a Dodge again! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By DonnaGrace64 - November 30 - 11:19 pm

  When I purchased this car in Dec 2005 and it still had miles left on the original warranty, I was happy. But I wasnt thinking that I needed to get it in for servce right away and within a few months I had to replace the transmission. Now the Shock Mounts/struts holding the rear shocks in place have broken and I need to replace them. I have so many problems with this car ever since I bought it - and the dealership I took it to for service just expects me to accept the broken mounts due to "salt and corrosion" as normal -even though the car is only about 5 years from the manufacture date- That I should have no problem with having to pay $550.00 for this repair. Ill never buy a Dodge again!!!

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  2/24/2011 - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bs2257 - November 28 - 1:34 pm

  I wanted to buy American. Have always had a Toyota. Bought this van from the Dodge Dealership used with 58k miles. Since Ive had it, (1 1/2 yrs) new brakes, AC hose leaked. Recalls: AC, radiator cap leak, front wheel bearings, door latch could cause fire, Air bags could disengage. Now the transmission needs to be replaced with 64K miles. Cost 4,500-5,500 to replace. Was told by the dealership the transmission has not been a problem on other 2008 vans. Really! No Thanks! Trading it in on a Toyota as soon as possible! I really expected more from Dodge.

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  Disgusted - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Madison - November 28 - 9:06 am

  I have been driving Caravans since 1989 and this had got to be the worst one. The key doesnt always work and although the van is running, the signal lights, radio do not which is dangerous when you think your signal is working and you try to use it. The brakes wore prematurely and the plastic in the hatch cracked in two. The tires wore prematurely as well.

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  Junk - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lmollstl - November 13 - 7:53 am

  I bought this van new and have had nothing but problems with it. It has 170,000 miles on it and the things I have had to replace would take up this entire column. The major replacements are; the transmission twice,water pump, power steering pump, gas tank, radio, wiper motor, power windows, door locks, door hinges, etc. The only thing still working is the engine. No wonder the company is going out of business. I will never buy another Dodge

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  Dont buy this car. - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By mnessel - November 11 - 11:05 am

  Purchased used in 2003 with 10,000 miles. Needed breaks in 2004 and again in 2006. Automatic windows stopped working in 2006. Paint on bumper is slowly flaking off. Needed new transmission and cam shaft in August of 2009. Now in November of 2009 oil sludge has completely ruined the engine and car has only 110,000 miles on it.

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  Horrendous Update - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Bill Sohonage - November 7 - 9:44 am

  This is an update. Bought for 9k with 27k on it, Dec."07". 51k motor goes PING, bearings and crank need replaced. Despite meticulous attention and mobi1 1. One k over 50k warranty and dealer laughs at me. I replace crank and bearings myself, lasts another 8k and motor goes again. Replace with 30k junkyard motor and two weeks later tranny goes! In 30k miles, Ive also replaced, AC Compressor, full exhaust, front hubs, power steering hoses, starter (twice!), brakes, rotors and needed to replace with over sized brake pins as the originals were worn and too loose! 4 Oxygen sensors... Oh,lets not forget the fan control module under glove box which caught fire. AHHHH

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  BEWARE OF INTREPIDS 2002 - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Joyce Tucker - November 2 - 1:57 pm

  Had this 02 Dodge Intrepid 3 months and the engine blew after needing a water pump at the time. Engines are bad news for Intrepids as stated on the internet and mechanics opinions. Do not buy an Intrepid, there was no warranty whatsoever and this vehicle had the engine light on upon my leaving the parking lot with it. European Auto fixed it somewhat but then suddenly went "out of business" without giving me the $1300 check for promising to buy my Isuzu Trooper and issue me a check for it. Repairs were not completed by them on this vehicle and no check was ever given me for the Trooper even tho they sold the Trooper the first week.