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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  Dodge doesnt stand behind their cars! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Lynn - September 16 - 4:30 am

  I leased a 2009 Dodge Journey in May "08". I had to replace the entire front break system at only 22,000 miles and the rear break system at 44,000. I was told it was normal wear and tear so they werent covered under warranty. The tires are very expensive, hard to find, and dont last. The so-called stain resistant interior is a complete joke. It has been such a horrible experience, I cant wait for my lease return date.

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  Dont buy - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By jsshou - August 29 - 9:59 am

  When I first brought the nitro I loved it but after having it for only 8 months I had been in the shop 4 or 5 times for the same reason (cutting off while driving) and every time they would say it was fixed and it wasnt I call the main office and they said it would have to happen again for them to do anything. I had a 2 year old and could not take the changed and trade the nitro in for a Chevy truck and went upside down $6000 because we paid 24,000 for the nitro and they only gave us 14,000 on it. Only 8 months after we brought it. I would not tell anyone to buy this car.

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  DO NOT PURCHASE AN AVENGER! - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Eva Soto - August 26 - 11:49 am

  Ever heard "GORGEOUS ON THE OUTSIDE, HORRIBLE ON THE INSIDE". Thats the perfect description for the Dodge Avenger! I bought my vehicle 10 months ago. Im very disappointed - the vehicle is unreliable and the performance is poor. So far its been to the shop twice! First the shifter got stuck on park. I had to pay to tow and replace the entire shifter assembly. Second, the car made squeaky noices when I moved the steering wheel. I had to take it back to the dealer for repairing...Now, Im hearing a rattling noise in the engine...I cant wait to get rid of it!

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  Lemon of the year - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By ReppyT - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Extreme wind noise exasperated by shrinkage of the door seals. Steering problems. Crummy wheel covers. Overall a dud of a car.

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  never again - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By ihatemydodge - August 20 - 3:44 pm

  I have owned this truck for nearly 4 years. Belt tensioner went out under warranty. After warranty expired, water pump replaced TWICE, trans rebuilt at 79k miles, trans control module replaced 2 months later, engine replaced at 86k (leakage on three cylinders...very rough idle), terrible gas mileage, "clunking" sound coming from driveshaft when taking off or stopping (Dealer says common problem and cannot be fixed). Changing the oil is easy, but messy (oil hits cross member and splatters everywhere). Engine is sluggish, and tranny shifts at entirely the wrong time. I hate this truck with a passion and will never buy another Chrysler product. I can see why they went bankrupt.

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  Never again - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By bmorecopper - August 18 - 8:23 pm

  This is absolutely the worst vehicle I ever owned. We bought it with 46k miles on it. At 115k the transmission completely seized up. The vehicle was routinely maintained. After talking to several transmission shops we found that Dodge Caravans are noted for their bad transmissions. $2800 fix. Dodge knows/doesnt care. Yesterday the engine started banging loudly. 3 separate mechanics said the engine would need to be replaced. Avg estimate $2200. One mechanic commented we should feel lucky to have got 154k miles out of it. Do you research before buying. Call some transmission shops and ask about this vehicle.

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  Big Hauler - 2000 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Trinoculus - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I needed a big tough hauler. This van is that. Not refined, comfortable, quiet, easy to get into, economic, but for some reason it feels good TOWERING over everthing else except semis. Its 5.9L engine pulls this monster with seeming ease while hauling HEAVY loads, the towing package will pull trains. I had the standard setup and it does fine. If you need to get a lot of weight from here to there and dont care a lot about comfort or those irritating build/fit & finish things, check this van out.

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  Buy a solution, not a Chrysler - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Rudy - July 31 - 2:28 pm

  After 15,000 miles spark plugs, air bag, injectors, brakes (pads and rotors), air bag again, power steering leaks, noisy engine belts, cv joints, sliding doors donÂ’t close properly, so we can feel air coming thru doors rubber seals but, the worst one is that after 4 months trying to get a roof paint warranty thru Chrysler customer service they told me: Chrysler wonÂ’t participate in this repair.

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  hate it!!!! - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Brittany - July 30 - 1:42 pm

  I bought this van 6 months ago and its horrible. I had so many problems and they just keep coming. My ac compressor went out so that cost me $400. It always needs breaks. My left tire sensor is going out and now my computer is going out. Its $4000 just for the computer. One of the power sliding doors broke so I cant use it. The wiring to my signal lights are messed up. When I first got it, I had no problems until 2 days after my warrenty was up. Dodge wont work with me on trying to fix it. To them, nothing major is wrong and told me not to worry so much about it. With 4 kids I need a reliable car and this is NOT it. I regret buying this van.

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  Expensive to repair - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By LeoV - July 29 - 4:33 am

  I bought mine used with 125000 miles on it, owned it for a year, the private party i bought it from didnt tell me that the water pump needed replacement@$700.00 (they have to lift the engine to replace it). Head gasket was gone, window buttons fell apart, clearcoat on paint peeled, front struts break, leaks oil everywhere, luckily i was able to trade it in for what i bought it for, ($1100.00).