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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  Big mistake, look twice and buy foreign - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By HonestinNJ - April 22 - 11:53 pm

  Nothing but trouble from day one. Had 12 miles on it and it has has been back to the dealer 6 times now from electrical issues to lag time in acceleration,covered under warranty. A metal skid plate that grounded down and had to be replaced, covered and now at 72,000 miles both ball joints are pretty much shot, not covered!I am meticulous about this car with oil changes, checking tire pressure and accelerating and breaking as gently as i can to make this car last me 20 years, so having something like this break was just unbelievable. Unreal. Gasket leaked around tail light, not covered. Short in wire that blew out headlight, covered but not the headlight. Unacceptable! Do not buy one

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  Nice, until you hit the "wall" - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By SpaceDude - April 21 - 1:40 pm

  I was pretty happy with my Intrepid - only minor issues for 10 years. Biggest item: Starter needed replacement after 7 years and AC gave in. After 10 years, crank sensors gave in (2 different ones), resulting in stalling engine (not funny!) and Starter had to be replaced, again. Engine started to burn oil rapidly, Fan only worked on MAX or not at all. Brake lines had to be replaced - lucky I wasnt in an accident. In the 11th year - BUMM - Power Control Module is giving up! Cost: 50% of what the cars worth. The Mechanic said, the location of the module is bad: too hot and too exposed = design issue. Next issue on the horizon: Oxygen Sensor for the Cat. Convrt. No sludge - not enough miles.

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  No More Chrysler Trucks for me! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By No More Chrysler - April 16 - 7:20 am

  Bought this car new. I have the V8. Mileage is terrible even for a truck. Now have 60k miles on and have had it in the shop numerous times for front end problems. Drive train is also noisy. Terrible acceleration. A white knuckle towing machine! (Dont do it!)

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  COMPLAINT - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By vic - April 14 - 11:48 am

  Was thinking we got a good car and what I always wanted with 20,100 miles got last DEC 2009 noticed a ticking and getting worse with the colder and running took to local dealer said fixed and a little tapping was normal and would go away did not so took to dealer we bought from and said oh ya something definitely wrong replaced pump tensioner pivot arm antifreeze 2 valves 3 rocker arms seal valve guide 2 gasket cylinder head gasket timing case cover seal water pump to front gasket intake manifold antifreeze tensioner when I got it back it did sound like a car should now there is an idling issue and a vibration when you shift from gear to gear need to take in again at this point I am tired of th

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  Power Steering Failure - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By JNP - April 9 - 7:58 am

  At 55,000 miles, the power steering has failed, just like TAJLs. Im getting it inspected and I notified the dealer of the problem. I purchased the extended warranty (it has come in handy), so it should be taken care of with a $100 deductible. The cable for the power window failed last year. I shut the door, and the window fell down. Is this a common problem for these trucks?

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  Looks can be deceiving - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By mjg - April 8 - 9:45 am

  Working on my 3rd set of rotors at 49,900 miles. Continental tires lasted 20,000 miles. Always feels likes its out of alignment. Second set of tires showing wear. Needed a left upper tie rod end and lower control arm for inspection this year. Both key fobs broken. Musty smell when you turn air on or heat in the winter. Will never by a Dodge again. Never again.

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  Misfiring when moisture in air - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By southpaw9 - April 7 - 9:13 pm

  Every time I start my Dakota in the morning and there is moisture in the air, it will misfire and shake and go away when I drive for 5 minutes. Today, its been raining all day and I went to go start it and it wont start. It will crank over but thats it. fuel pump turns on, coils have a shock to plugs, jump start didnt work. I dont know what to look at. Can anyone help?

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  I had better - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By 484385756 - April 1 - 10:45 pm

  I purchased my nitro brand new since i bought it, it has given me nothing but problems. in the past year i have taken it to the dealership 8 times and thats not including regular maintenance. I have been driving the engine turned off, or if i come to a stop and then press the gas to go the engine just revs and then slams into gear. i do not recommend this car to anyone.

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  Front end hell - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Mad as Hell - March 29 - 8:34 pm

  I have replace the front end struts 4 times already the last time in the last 4 months but the dealer keep telling me that there is nothing wrong and they must be putting part on wrong, I have talked other caliper owner some are having the same problems. The worst car I have every owned, wish I could give it back.

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  Not a happy driver! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By IZTHELIZ - March 25 - 9:53 pm

  I love the style of the car, it does have blind spots, I have added smaller mirrors on the side mirrors to help with this. I am very disappointed in Dodge and their way of handling service. @ 26K needed new tires, have had 3 leaks in the transmission, @ 55K new tie rods, @ 61K diagnosed needed new struts and upper control arm (Dodge wont cover) @ 63K rocker arm in the engine needed to be repaired. The service manager said that this is a design issue (but Dodge hasnt done a recall?), vents are broke and a plastic piece on the drivers seat broke and the screw keeps coming out. Aux plug doesnt work anymore. Rusting as well.I have been very disappointed with this vehicle, already looking to trade.