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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  My minivan - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lou frank - June 28 - 7:10 pm

  Love my van, mpg could be better love stow and go, hard to use unless you have the seats all the way forward, vibrating at around 30 to 35 bothers me, never can seem to get it fixed, will keep after them. I didnt like how the muffler side pipe shows so I put on custom running boards to hide them, looks great. I am impressed with the power accels great. Should have a built in antenna. Not good in a car wash, had to replace my antenna already, only had it two months.

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  Still love this car - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By Orchid - June 28 - 3:16 pm

  Still gets 20 in the city and 28-30 highway. Had to replace the timing belt and water pump(second one) and the starter but heck it is almost 15 yrs old!!! I will just cry when I finally have to give it up but let me tell you, I will drive it until the wheels fall off or I can qualify for the $4500 credit - not likely due to the mileage it gets. Never a clunker and there are still a number of these big guys out on the road here in GA.

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  Caravan 3.8L LE/ES 4-dr has been great - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By michaelrh - June 28 - 12:42 am

  Original owner, second mini-van. Short wheelbase w/3.8L engine can be a hot rod (at the expense of gas mileage.) Very comfortable for long drives, excellent visibility. Exterior styling is timeless -- I still think it is an attractive design 13 years later! One $200 transmission problem at 70,000 miles, but the car has not been particularly expensive to maintain.

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  2.7 L Engine Problems - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Todd N. - June 27 - 10:36 am

  I purchased this Dodge Intrepid for my 87-year old Mother. It had 32,000 miles and I had it checked out by the local Dodge dealer who gave it his stamp of approval.I had the dealer flush the engine and replace the oil with synthetic and a 5 micron oil filter. When I picked up the car, a mechanic told me very quietly, “This won’t help.” He knew what I was trying to avoid. He said these engines are junk. I gave the car to my Mother and she was very happy, for about 1500 miles when the engine blew due to an “Oil Sludge” problem, so said the dealer. I ended up buying a kit to have a 3.2L installed. It is still on the road today but this will be my last Chrysler I ever own.

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  ill stick to the dakotas - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By kots - June 27 - 6:39 am

  love the power of the 4.7 but not the gas it used up. inside the truck was fin but when the lach for the center counsle broke i had to undo the spring loaded hinge to keep it from staying open.also the radio controls on the stering wheel went out to but i used them alot.

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  Problems with the speakers. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By MBooth - June 27 - 2:13 am

  I have had problems with the speakers and radio in this car and had it in twice for the same problem. When the weather is below freezing, the speakers dont work, sometimes the radio wont work. By the time I was able to bring it in, radio was working so mechanics couldnt find a problem and fix it. Two separate times. Also check engine light on- needed a software upgrade. Other than these annoying problems, I like the car.

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  So far so good - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By frank-egny - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! At 20000 miles I have had only one minor problem with the car. The bracket that holds the parking brake handle broke and was fixed under warranty. I find most of the complaints about this car true (low roof line, hard to get in, hard to see the corners,strange noise coming from upfront, the window motors start with a big bang) but I still think this car is a really good car over all. No problems with the seals or the A/C or the trany or the steering.

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  All in all, a great deal at $8900 - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Darren - June 26 - 3:01 pm

  Bought this truck in 98 for $8900. Paid off in 4 yrs and drove maintenance free (virtually) for another 6 years. Replaced the fuel pump at 100k miles. Replaced engine computer just after that. Engine light still comes on but dealership cannot figure out why. Truck runs great. Air still cold and it always cranks. Needs paint now but Im debating whether to put anymore money in it. May use it for Cash for Clunkers bill just signed. Best car purchase Ive ever made. not sure how to get it to pass inspection now that check engine light keeps coming on but have a few months to figure that out.

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  Fun to Drive - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Michael McAllister - June 25 - 3:37 pm

  So far I’m very happy with mine. Drive a lot so I look good Drive fast and good gas mileage!

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  Best Car Ever! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Traded Up - June 25 - 11:40 am

  I just bought a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T, and it is hands down the best car Ive ever driven. The looks are amazing and it has more than enough HP to get up and move. The interior is very comfortable and luxurious. The dash lights up like nothing Ive ever seen. Its as good looking on the inside as it is on the outside. I traded in my 2005 Dodge Ram QC with the Hemi for this amazing machine and I dont regret it one bit. For all of those retro Charger critics: get with the times man, this car is sweet! If you want to make it more like a sports car, then take the resonators off the exhaust and shell purr. Stop looking at other models, this takes the cake. Spend more money for the Hemi Charger!