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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  uuummm ok - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By xcitemint - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Has not broken down yet. Do have a leaky rear seal and a leaky head gasket. Serpintine belt always needs replaced. Brakes are below average at best. There are worse cars out there, but if a friend asked me about it I wouldnt recommend it.

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  Horrible Mileage then Blown Engine! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Bill - December 3 - 11:26 am

  I bought this vehicle at a Dodge Dealership used for $9k with 27k on it. Changed my oil to Mobil 1 upon purchase, and regularly at 3k intervals. Worst truck I have ever owned. The 3.9L engine knocks/taps when put under load. At 32k engine light came on, code said that 2 of 4 oxy-sensors needed replaced, $96 each, did myself, 3k later the other 2 go out. Put 10k on a year, only light hauling, never towed a trailer. At 51k motor blows, with "extended" 50k warranty . Dealer gave me nothing, they wanted $3,200 for new motor (replace crap with crap!). Rebuilt myself, case full of sludge,lower bearings trashed. No space to recline seats. Cant wait to dump this 10 to 12 MPG nightmare.

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  Never Again - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By StevenD - November 27 - 10:00 am

  Ill never buy another Dodge/Chrysler product again. Too many problems (trans, starter, belt tensioner, AC, etc., etc.) Seems like everytime I get something fixed, something else breaks! Also poor service from the dealer.

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  Total mistake! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By RudysMomma - November 24 - 5:37 pm

  Since the night I bought this car 12/31/07 it has been a mistake. The night I drove it off the lot the radio died because it blew the fuse. It does that every 3 months or so. Every other time the radio dies and has to be replaced completely. The roof rails have rattled and been loose since day one. They have been replaced 2x under warranty and still rattle. The brackets holding the seats were all rusted and had to be replaced. The door hinges are rusting. The side panel in cargo area was warped and was replaced. Part of dash was bubbling and was replaced. Now the transmission is making noises and hesitating. My driver seat back wont adjust at all. Been a problem since day one. I hate this car

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  sucks - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By edloze - November 22 - 10:00 am

  this car is not what i expected commercial do a great thing in hiding the true facts

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  MAGNUM REVIEW - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By JACK WILSON - November 22 - 10:00 am

  CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT R/H DRIFT. DEALER IS UNABLE AND UNCONCERNED. THEY SAID IT A PROBLEM WITH ALL MAGNUMS AND 300MS. NO FIX IN SIGHT. CHRYSLER "WORKING ON IT" BUT STILL SELLING THEM. GAS MILEAGE NOWHERE NEAR ESTIMATED EVEN WITH A VERY LIGHT FOOT. IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES SINCE JUNE 04 INTERIOR SPARCE. NO MEMORY SEAT AVAILABLE.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Disappointed - November 15 - 6:13 pm

  I test drove this CUV and at 60 mph is ran 2500-3000 rpms in fourth gear. When I gave it some gas it shifted down to 5500 rpm near red line! This car obviously does not have enough higher gears! Why not add a CVT Transmission to the four cylinder engine to make the 4 cylinder engine practical?

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  Get outta Dodge - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By tommythecat86 - November 3 - 4:47 pm

  I recently purchased a 2001 Dodge Durango. Engine blew due to some "mysterious oil loss". Dealership claims its our fault (of course they would...its still under warranty). The crappy engine is just part of the laundry of of problems. Electric windows that dont work (Hope I dont crash into a body of water). Multiple comfort options in the seats...dont work(anybody who drives has to be my height, no more no less). Brakes are junk. On the brighter side, it looks pretty and is very spacious...Yipeee!

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  Big wow, little performance. - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By wally - October 30 - 12:20 pm

  I leased on a 48 month lease because it fit my budget and this is a great looking 1/4 ton truck. I have not had any real mechanical issues other than a very very soft suspension. I had a 79 Ford Granada as a teenage and it had better suspension! Gas mileage is a joke - 20 C/ 29 H, more like 13 C/ 19 H. The V8 4.7L is a great engine in this truck, lots of power when called upon. Like I said before, it looks great, outside and inside. Very rugged looking, to bad the suspension doesnt keep up!

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  Dont buy it! - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By howardan - October 27 - 2:30 pm

  I have never been so disappointed in a vehicle in all my life. I purchased this to get rid of my GAS GUZZLING Durango. Went with another Dodge because they gave me a better trade value, but boy the joke was on me. This car is built DIRT CHEAP. Ive had it just over a year and thus far the following has gone bad and had to be replaced: Fuel Pump, Steering Pump,Valve, Half-Shaft, Water Pump, Gasket. And with all this, problems persist, but unfortunately, warranty has ended.