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:
Showing 261 through 270 of 11,324.00-
Horrible rental!!! - 2009 Dodge Caliber
By BunyLuvr - January 15 - 4:58 pmUGH! I rented this car on a trip recently and chose it because I love small hatchbacks I drive a 2008 VW Rabbit at home. My college-age son, who couldnt care less about cars, immediately noticed the poor quality interior compared to our Rabbit. "Is this an American car?" he asked - and I doubt he would not say that about a newer Ford. Driving this thing is not pleasurable after driving German cars, either. Its just adequately powered, and the steering is not responsive at all. The car gets points for exterior styling, and I assume its fairly reliable, but if youre looking for a small hatch, check out the Mazda3, new Golfs, Honda Fit, etc. before saddling yourself with this blah-burger
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Blind Spots--Front & Rear - 2007 Dodge Caliber
By Selena - January 10 - 11:50 pmThe bulbous styling of the 2007 Caliber makes it impossible to see narrow objects that are shorter than the bumpers height. Furthermore, the bumper does not "bump" but crumples. Resulting in major damage to the cars integral components (engine, alignment). This is because Dodge uses as a shock absorber behind the exterior frame in order to achieve the high MPG.
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Fun to Drive, But Dont Always Crank Tun - 2001 Dodge Dakota
By Joe - January 10 - 12:30 pmI bought mine Sept. 01 and have no plans to trade in. Truck is fun to drive and holds its own on the highway. Wish it had a more comfortable ride and driver-friendly features so I could keep my eye on the road. On a road trip to the Indy 500 (my bro lives in Indy) 2 yrs ago, I blew the bearings in the a/c compressor-took it to a friend of my bro, and he had to replace the whole compressor. Dealer put sealant in to "fix" a/c leak I complained about,and (according to this dude) thats the problem. I turn down tunes now & then and listen to her run but so far its fine. Front suspension poor causes lots of wear and tear but so far not enough for me to trade in. I can still rely on it.
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It just wont die - 1996 Dodge Neon
By Afterthought - January 5 - 3:04 pmI got this car 9 years ago with 25k on it. Sure Ive replaced tons of parts (head gasket, alternator, water pump, but not a signle front end part)but Im not too nice to a car. Decided 2 years ago Id run it until it died because its worthless to sell, but the damn thing just wont die. Dents all over, door panel coming off, blown rear strut, but still the thing gets me wherever Im going reliably and handles the winter better than a 4x4 (and does nice e-brake slides). Im gonna miss her when shes retired this month, like the really sweet ugly girl you dated that you dont want to admit to.
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worst truck I have ever owned - 2000 Dodge Durango
By Watkins - January 3 - 3:52 pmThis was the worst truck I ever owned. At 45000 miles the front wheel bearings went out. I called and asked about a recall, and the dealer said no recall was planned. A month later a recall was issued. At 50000 miles the transmission started to slip. At 60000 miles the water pump was toast. at 105000 the engine was gone despite oil changes every 3000 miles. After looking in the engine block there was so much sluge it looked like the oil had never been changed. Also both power window motors when at 50000 miles. If you are thinking about this car think again. I will never buy a dodge again.
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Will Never buy a Dodge Again - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
By jenghig - December 29 - 3:14 pmI bought this car used, and immediately started having problems with it over heating. Once I got that fixed, it ran great for a few more months, then it broke down again. This time with major engine problems. Ive had the car 3 years and have only been able to use it for 2, considering all the time its been in the shop. My brother had the Stratus and had nothing but problems as well. Would not recommend any Dodge vehicle.
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Review - 2005 Dodge Stratus
By jmosley - December 22 - 6:12 pmWhen I first got the car, it was great. Everything worked fine. Using the flex fuel was great, until the gas gauge stopped working... Then the transmission slipped... Then the alloy wheel got a crack in it... Then the fan for heating/ac must have lost a blade and sounds like an airplane even on 1. Then the heat stopped working at an idle and wont kick on until 2 thousand rpms. And now, in 24 degree weather, the drivers window decides the go down and not back up. Dealership wants 37 bucks just to put it up without fixing the problem, junkyard wants 35 bucks for the switch and 35 bucks for the motor. If I had it to do over, I wouldnt. But having a trade in value of nearly nothing stinks.
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Traded it in - 2002 Dodge Durango
By MartyandViv - December 20 - 12:10 pmHorrible gas mileage. After 25,000 miles made way too much noise.
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Do NOT buy thisTruck - 2008 Dodge Nitro
By CJ621 - December 16 - 7:45 pmMy Nitro has had problems from the get go. 2 months after purchase the d/s door lock literally fell apart. The truck is lock & unlocked with the remote?? The gas tank now spews gas when filled. Dealer said it was a "defect" but we are no looking at a total of 3 days in service and they REFUSE to offer me a loaner!! This is a SAFETY issue. The fuel filler neck needs to be replaced. I was also informed that the radio has to be replaced as well...This truck is 16 months old! With ALL issues itÂ’s a total of 5-6 days in service and NO help with a loaner. They are, bit by bit rebuilding this truck...EVERYTHING is a "defect" Worse vehicle I have ever owned! Do not recommend
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*no*more*chrysler*or*dodge - 2006 Dodge Stratus
By Disgusted - December 10 - 7:55 pmThis car is OK to look at. Nothing special. But I drive high miles for my job so its more for function. But this car is junk. In 2 years I have replaced all the headlights & taillights twice. When I turn, a warning comes on & the "brake" light comes on. ??? The interior/dash lights flash constantly. AND WHATS WITH THE WINDSHIELD?? Ive been through probably a dozen sets of wipers & none work. The windshield has spots that none of the wipers touch! And Ive had the windshield replaced due to a rock busting the old one. It was replaced with the same Dodge window.& the same thing. Wipers dont touch half of it. Its clearly a design flaw. And a big one.& one of my windows quit for no reason..
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