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 TRANSMISSIONS ARE THE WORST - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SteveRT - November 5 - 2:36 pm

  I have place 2 transmissions into this van, These transmissions have a design flaw that allows an internal pin break free. When it does it will bust right through the housing and then you cant even rebuild it. Chrysler knows about this. There is a repair kit that Chrysler offers that will hold that pin in place on a rebuild. I didnt find out about it until I put the third transmission in. has worked great ever since and I gave this van to my father in law to drive over a year ago. Picked up a 96 for the wife to drive . Transmission went in it too. Dont waste your time on Chrysler. this is why their new cars offer a lifetime warranty on drivetrain.

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  Beauty is only skin deep - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Eli Shelburne - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Our Intrepid is a beautiful Inferno Red SXT, best looking car in town. After 15,000 miles, trouble started, with a transmission leak at 800 miles. Next was replacement of the radio. Next was replacement of the fog lights. Then the "engine malfunction light" came on. Car has been out of service 15 days since then. They cant seem to find or fix the problem. Nov. 6,we are taking it in for the sixth time to have this problem "fixed". Purge valve regulator will be installed. To date they have installed four themostats and the water pump and yet the light keeps coming on. The last time they had it for eight (8) days.

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  Pleasantly Pleased - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Nik @ Nights - November 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car as a demo, with 12000 miles on it. We didnt have any problems with it until we hit 80,000, (of course the month before our last car payment!) we had a $1500 bill for the head gasket..which seems to be a common problem. We now have a problem with a vaccum seal leak. Hopefully that will not cost an arm & a leg. Overall it has been a good little car.

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  99 Dodge R/T - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Kevin K - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car so far.

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  A very good truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Joe Finn - November 3 - 2:00 am

  this truck is outstanding v8 power people say nice truck Id buy it again two years 35,000 miles no repairs just tires.

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  The 96 Mini Van Energizer Bunny - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Van-Man - November 2 - 4:13 pm

  Its funny, people have transmission problems because they just drive. You "must" change the transmission fluids at 30,000 miles, just like oil changes at 3000. Ive had zero probelms with mine; now at 160,000 miles! It runs and drives like the day it was new, seriously! So if you like roomy, cadillac feel and excellent fuel economy, buy a Caravan. They are a hidden secret most people dont realize how nice they are to drive and haul just about anything around in. Ive had passengers say how comfortable the seats are, you can remove the back seats for extra leg room, what more could you ask for. The perfect van for our family has been the Dodge Caravan "We own TWO!!!

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  Never Again - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By Aussie - November 2 - 2:00 am

  When I first purchased the vehicle, I thought I had leased a good reliable Van. It ran nice, was comfortable and quiet. Then during the next year, I was in for a shock. The transmission was repaired twice before it finally went in for a transmission overhaul. Then came the brake pads after a year and a half. Original pads were only cheap pads. Then came the water pump, alternator and drive belts. In year three, tires were replaced, my ignition seized up and wouldnt start. After that it was goodby Van. Would never buy another.

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  2003 Caravan Sport - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Thomas Churchman - November 2 - 2:00 am

  A solid value, it gives us 4 spacious bucket seats, we removed the rear bench and installed a power wheelchair winch, it has ample room for a large power chair, cargo, with space left behind the 4 seats, all which recline. My model has ample pickup, and very easy to manuever.

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  the power when you need it - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By hosers heroes - November 2 - 2:00 am

  love the big 360-hate the gas it eats.The 17 inch rims and big tires look great when clean-especially in the bright red.Fun to drive would love to get a new one.

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  This SUV is a BLAST!!! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By BaltimoreRaver - November 1 - 2:00 am

  The Durango is one fun SUV to own. I wasnt into the "grocery getter" SUVs that are all the rage now. I wanted a TRUE utility vehical. This thing is as comfortable chewing up rocks and mud as it is rolling downtown with friends. Loe the fold down rear seats and the spacious interior (Im 610") The upgraded audio is supurb with very little add ons necessary.