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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  Great Design, Very Poor Quality, This is my last Dodge! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ita47 - December 7 - 2:58 pm

  This has been a love hate relationship. My wife and I love the design and layout of this van. We have the SXT 3.8L with every option except leather. Unfortunately ours has been plagued with problems. We purchased the van as a certified used with only 22,000 miles on it. If I had known everything I know now about these vans I would have kept looking. After reading other reports and through my own experience with this vehicle the 2005 seems to be one of the worst. Avoid this year if possible. This is my last Dodge, never again.

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  Title? - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mxp - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the third van Ive owned and its OK. I bought it specifically for the AWD option which is great. It works well and has all the room I expect out of a minivan (to haul bikes, kayaks, gear, etc.) and so I have no real issues with it. Its been reliable and has had no major problems. However the seats are VERY uncomfortable, to the point that we do all we can to take any of our other cars, especially on extended trips. The other problem is the headlights are terrible - they put too little light on the road at night.

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  There are better hatches - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By himoses - November 30 - 11:48 am

  I have now had the displeasure of driving the Caliber. This is not a bad car compared to garbage made in the 1980Â’s, but is far inferior to a lot of hatches on the market. This car drives like a brick. If you get a good deal, then I could see this being a decent commuter car if you only drive on the highway. If you like to drive, find something else. My personal affordable favorite hatches are the Hyundai Elantra Touring and the Mazda 3. This car is not in either of these carÂ’s league.

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  Unhappy With Grand Caravan - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jake - Twin Cities - November 28 - 5:53 pm

  We purchased our Grand Caravan new in 2004. It functions the way we hoped it would, towing a small camper, long road trips and day to day. It has been in the shop for 5 sets of tie rod ends and 5 sets of sway bar links. through in the occassional failed water pump, heater, AC, power locks and windows, and having the motor replaced in both sliding doors. Chrysller arbitration and our local dealer have been little help. We are giving up on Dodge.

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  Grand Caravan: Latin for Money Pit - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dotweasl - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I thought I was the only person who called it a money pit. I bought it from my SISTER who had maintained the car flawlessly for 6 years. After 2 weeks the AC went out. 4 weeks later it wouldnt go into reverse. A week later it wouldnt shift out of gear at 30mph. Then the AC went out again and now its not shifting gears. RUN AWAY! RUN FAST! DONT LOOK BACK! Did I mention the strangulation sound it makes when the automatic door locks engage? Explain that when youre driving a client to lunch. Thats easy: ITS A MONEY PIT! RUN FAST! My transmission guy said if it werent for the Caravans, he wouldnt have any business. RUN AWAY!

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  Love/Hate My Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By CarlaJo - November 23 - 12:13 pm

  My 2007 Caliber has just 48,000 miles and its crap. Tires are expensive to replace and wear out quickly. Interior is cramped. Blind spots everywhere. Turn signal comes on randomly (without using blinker) and wont go off. Front suspension is shot. AC only works well on high. It has been plaqued with one problem after another. I know many people who own Calibers and have yet to find anyone who is even remotely happy with theirs. Tried to trade it in but will only get about half of what I owe. They dont hold their value at all and depreciate quickly. Looks great, fun to drive, but very unreliable car.

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  Buy something else--- run run - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shelly - November 22 - 9:13 pm

  I recently got rid of this vehicle after owning it for 7 years, anxiously waiting for the day we could get rid of it for the last 3. The transmission failed at 147,000 miles. The worst part of it was this was the 3rd transmission. We had one replace right after we got it at about 38,000 and another at 87,000... both were covered by extended warranty purchase.

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  Transmission at 21000 - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pags - November 11 - 10:00 am

  We needed a trasmission overhaul at 21000 miles. Unfortunately the 36 month timeclock had expired and we were stuck with the entire bill. Use caution when considering this vehicle.

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  Dream car turned worst nightmare! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By K. Scott - November 6 - 8:27 pm

  I started having issues with my charger 1 year after I purchased, first my driver side window and door locking switches fell down in the door panel, then at 23,000 miles the car really fell apart. First I started to hear a loud noise while the air conditioner was on, then as I was in stop and go traffic when my air is on my car overheats, then I noticed a delay when trying to start the vehicle, then all my air vents popped off the dash. Now at 24,000 miles my shifter locked up in the park position of coarse just after the 3 year warranty has expired. The only assistance dodge will offer is an extended warranty for $1400.00 for 50% off parts and labor.

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  This Vehicle Leaks!!! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Denise - October 26 - 11:30 am

  Got this vehicle for Christmas 2007 and thank God that my car dealer is honest and loyal. This vehicle leaks from the roof!! Whenever theres a heavy rain, I have to go running back to my dealer. This is a terrible Manufacturers Flaw. Will never purchase another Dodge Nitro again!!