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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  Do Not Buy This Car!!! - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Tam - February 3 - 10:09 pm

  I bought this car in july of 06,had to have the front seal replaced in december of06 at 14,000 miles. Here I am 2 and a half years later at 70,000 miles and have to have the front seal replaced again!!! It was a fairly good car otherwise, but dont waste your money. It will nickel and dime you death.

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  Break downs - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By MD - February 2 - 4:30 pm

  Like my 2008 Dodge, Several time turn in for minor thing while under warr. Radio clock doesnt work, been reset about 6 times, gave up on turning it in to get fixed. Got 37,400 miles on it and rack and pinon when out along with power steering pump, $1,740 to fix it. Gas mileage average 16 to 18 on open highway, 3.7 6 cyl. with no load, pulling small boat, around 1,350 pounds, about 12 to 14 miles a gallon. Power on 3.7 is low, will not stay in overdrive going up small hills. Second Dodge Dakota I own. Warr should be better, keep oil change and maintenance back the book, if you go over 60 miles pass oil change, warr. is void. Turn mine in and had 12 miles before void warr.

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  Some things about this car! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By not happy consumer - January 30 - 10:26 pm

  My Dodge Caliber is great! its a fun car to drive. My only complaint is about the heavy behind trunk door. The tires wear out fast I had to replace them and the power steering pump wore out and I have to get it replaced. I dont know if there is a recall for power steering pumps going out. I only had my car for 3 years!

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  mistake ? - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By js - January 30 - 2:05 pm

  Brand new only 700 miles, vibration at 65 mph, could be a tire or balancing, fuel economy is worse than i thought it would be, 14 mpg last tank with about 10 miles of 4wd. I like the looks and didnt notice any issues during my test drive but I am beginning to wonder if it was the right choice. Beware

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  Gas Hog - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By gonz2479 - January 28 - 4:34 pm

  All I can say is this vehicle gets 12 MPG on mostly highway while keeping it below 2,000 rpms. The window sticker is far from accurate. Buyer beware.

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  2004 Dodge Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By No More Chryslers - January 28 - 7:20 am

  Vehicle has constant over heating problem It cant be corrected for long even by the dealership(s) that it has been taken to. Constantly gets air bound and then the heater blows cold air. vehicle shuts off on its own without warning and techs reflash computer but it doesnt correct problem.Vehicle is going in for another front end alignment after a few thousand miles. Vehicle cannot be aligned as there are no possible adjustments (per the tech) without installing a front end alignment kit at a cost of 600 dollars. This was done by a certified Chrysler tech and as I stated it going in again for an alignment. Vehicle has 36,000 miles and wouldnt think you would run into these problems.

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  Seduced by style.... - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By Waggineer - January 27 - 10:51 am

  I purchased an 8 month old Magnum SXT with well less than 10K on the clock. I fell in love with the looks of the car and the roominess and cargo hauling capability. The car has a good, solid highway ride and decent handling for a large car. The downside has been very spotty quality. Issues have included a new torque converter at 9K, leaky rear diff at 12K, an annoying squeak in the rear of the cabin that the dealer has "fixed" 3 times, and a very "clunky" 4 speed tranny. The visibility is really annoying as well. While I really like the car Im wondering about the long term reliability given the big ticket warranty repairs Ive needed.

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  nightmare - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By paul - January 21 - 7:32 pm

  my 2004 was way better.this was nothing but problems since the day I bought it.awesome look,great power and roomy.thats all.many numerous factory tsbs and defects.mechanically and cosmetically.too many problems,that a rep was sent in.they didnt do anything,and wanted me to file suit against them.BEWARE.traded it in less than a year of having it,with only 9000 miles.nice looking,but I was also stuck with a brand new lemon with numerous,numerous problems.please stay away.factory tires are junk also.

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  Fun to drive, wish it was more reliable - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By kickspro - January 21 - 1:20 pm

  Got the car in May of 09, loved it. Drove good for about a week then the engines belt started squeeking, very annoying. Got a new belt and it was gone, car is very underpowered with a 2.2 4 cylinder in it. Car got good gas millage at the start of my purchase and got worse as days went on. The tranny leaked alot of tran fluid and had to refill it every few months. Car overall was very stock and basic but was a enjoyable ride. Didnt want to risk the engine and tranny going so I sold the beast.

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  Unhappy In Michigan - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Unhappy in Michigan - January 18 - 11:10 am

  I purchased this car in Jan 08 w/ 18000 Miles on it. It now has 52000 miles and even with regular maintenance Ive had to replace the front suspension, Multi Function Switch, and multiple tires. I only get 15 MPG(Highawy), constant problems with vehicle alignment and tire air pressure, and sometimes the vehicle gets stuck in gears. I didnt think of the plastic interior when I bought it but Ive grow to hate it it is so hard and uncomfortable. The vehicle looks amazing, if dodge does one thing right it exterior appearance. But the interior looks and feels cheap and utilitarian. Thank God Im not upside down on what I owe on the car, I am trading it in this week. HUGE BLINDSPOTS!!!