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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  one of the reasons Chrysler is going bye - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By pedro - May 12 - 3:56 pm

  My wife bought this thing,even though I objected. I wanted her to get an Odyssey. but she told me "Im paying for it I pick" Good thing she used better judgment when picking a husband. This thing gets broken, fixed, and then breaks again. Its not the mechanics fault cause he also works on my accord and that one stays fixed. This thing is made to be have a usable life of 4 years and thats it. Junk it or sell it to your worst enemy. Biggest piece of crap you could buy. You wonder how American car makers got the reputation they got.This is a prime example.

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  Disappointed - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By highly disappointed - May 7 - 3:01 pm

  So, I bought this car because it was all I could afford at the time. However, I wish someone had told me how cheap it was, not to mention that they are hot cars to steal. This car is made so cheap the interior doors were coming off (plastic). Most 95 have problems with oil leaking so I was told by a mechanic. I had my car stolen the police said they are easy to steal. HE was right! I could easily pry my fingers behind my window and unlock my doors. Other problems I encountered with this cheaply made vehicle were that the driver side lock was broke so in order to lock my car I had to go through the passenger side to get into the car. The radio would work occasionally.

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  Biggest mistake Ive ever made! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By NoMoreDodge - May 7 - 12:39 pm

  We bought the R/T model with every option that you can get in one, except it didnt have a security system in it which makes no sense. From pretty much day one we have had nothing but problems with it. The A/C didnt work properly the first 4 months we owned it, Check engine light has come on numerous times, took it in they say nothing is wrong, passenger seat squeaks, parking brake dont work at all, rear windshield wiper breaks going through the car wash, now with only 26,500 miles on it the main computer (PCM) has to be replaced. Been in the shop for a week and part is still not in! Would recommend never buying one of these!

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  dont buy it - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By k. mchenry - April 18 - 11:56 am

  I have had nothing but problems - rattling - power windows not working taillights go out now I have a noise when I tap my brakes the noise continues even if i am not applying brake my jeep had this same problem - interior is plastic - I have noticed transmission when shifting is problematic -

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  Good car, but expect major problems - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Mike Stone - April 13 - 3:28 pm

  I bought a brand new 2002 Dodge Durango SXT. I loved the car, I owned it for close to 8 years and just recently sold it. I pampered that car, kept the car well maintained but I still had major mechanical issues fairly early. At 66K miles the transmission went out. The Primary Control Module died a year later. The fan clutch went out 3 different times, had to replace the radiator, upper and lower radiator hose and at 180K the torque converter went out, which means the transmission was soon on its way out. I definitely did not want to waist more money into repairs so I let it go. I probably will not ever own another Chrsyler made vehicle for the rest of my life. The quality just stinks.

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  Crappy brakes - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dwbrum11 - April 11 - 8:50 pm

  This will be my last Chrysler product. I have had a problem with the front brakes wearing prematurely and the local dealer refusing to replace them under warranty even though there is a TSB issued from Chrysler saying that this should be covered by warranty. They wanted me to pay over $450 just to do the front brakes saying that no other shops would be able to get parts for it. National Tire and Brake installed lifetime rotors and pads for $300 dollars. I dont know if this was just my local dealer but I have been reading a lot of complaints about the brakes from other people and little help from the dealers.

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  do NOT buy this car. - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By drhr - April 7 - 3:24 pm

  This car was horrible from day one. A week after I brought it home the check engine light came on, and it would only start when it wanted to. I went to get it fixed, and it stopped doing it and ran perfectly fine for a year and a half. Then the battery died, the breaks went out, and the transmission started going out. Currently the car is in my driveway, unused because the transmission locked up the engine and the drive trane is disconnected from the drivers side. I will NEVER buy another dodge again. Its been terrible from day one.

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  Van was great for the first 7 days then. - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Johnny - March 28 - 11:50 pm

  Bought this van with 6800 miles on it. Had it about 8 days and the check engine light came on. Dealer said that I had water in my gas so put in a gas treatment and a spark plug. The check engine light came on before I got home so took it back and dealer said the injector was bad so changed it. Drove 2 days and the check engine light came back on so dealer kept it for 2 days and said that the injector wasnt seating properly because of deposit builup. They now want to "pull the head and see whats going on in side". So, runs bad, poor mileage, check engine light on, starter doesnt engage on cold mornings and now heater randomly blows ice cold air.

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  Please stay away from Neons. - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Hikerman95 - March 14 - 5:33 pm

  I traded my Jeep Cherokee for a 2002 Neon R/T 4 cyl 5 speed. bad move. the gas milage was better, but the car was not. The wheel bearing needed replacing, all my electronics shut off one day on the highway, including my spedometer and gauges, on top of that, my e-brake failed, and the brakes were trash. I was just in an accident yesterday, and the whole front end was demolished. (at 25 mph) The airbags never deployed, and the brakes didnt want to work til the last second when it was too late. do yourself a favor and stay away from Neons. I thought the R/T would be a good one, but I was wrong. Thanks dodge.

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  Never Again Dodge/Chrysler - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Larry Jackson - March 14 - 11:31 am

  I bought a new 2007 Dodge Charger R/T which brokedown at 1143 miles and has been a nightmare since. motor has knock in it and Dodge/Chrysler will do nothing to fix. Nothing but lies from the top down. MY FIRST/MY LAST.Visit Edmunds.com and view reports by other customers,you will be amazed at what you see. Recommendation,spend your money on another vehicle. Stay away from Dodge/Chrysler products.