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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  tiny tank - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By kate_runs - October 5 - 2:38 pm

  In what parallel universe does this car get supposed good fuel economy? I have put a lot of money keeping this car in the best shape, I dont drive it in a gas-wasting sort of way, and I usually only get around 20/22mpg on a tank-- and that is with freeway driving as well. Its like driving a small tank, especially in contrast to non-American compact equivalents. It does zip along quite quickly on flat roads, depending on the weather. Positive: I feel pretty safe driving it (in terms of how solid it is), and the trunk is quite roomy. Lastly: God forbid you turn the a/c on- the mpg goes to around 16mpg

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  Chrysler could have done better - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Willie - October 2 - 3:31 pm

  The fuel economy is quite good. Vehicle came with a spoiler on the trunk lid that obstructed rear view and I ended up removing it and plugging the screw holes. At 38,000 miles the vehicle would not pass a state inspection because the lower control arm bushings seperated from their housing on both sides of the vehicle. Dealer says he has relaced these failed parts on many Dodge Neon vehicles and on PT Cruisers which have the same suspension. Had other Chrysler vehicles in the past and will certainly never buy another one.

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  Its OK - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Its ok - September 29 - 1:29 pm

  I bought a 2008 Dodge Caliber last October within a month of purchasing it I had it in the shop. The transmission is horrible. Anytime I got to stop or start it jolts and spudders like it is about to stall. Called Dodge apparently some Calibers have this problem others do not. Also they said there is no fix! Than went back to have front struts replaced and to look and trans again and again no fix! Now the problem seems to happen when in reverse. Im really not happy with this vehicle.

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  vibration - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By dc - September 25 - 2:11 pm

  cant seem to determine what the vibrations are caused by. Have had two complete break overhauls done. Only 35K miles. The dealer says "harmonic vibration" and no fix. Feels like it is missing, had plugs replaced at 30K, no impact. Disapointed in the truck overall. No more Chrysler for me.

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  GREAT SUV IF A/C WOULD WORK - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By JAYFAV - September 23 - 10:00 am

  WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE DURANGO IT WAS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE GAS MILEAGE. THEN A MONTH AGO THE A/C STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR WHEN WE WOULD START IT UP. WHEN WE WOULD GET WHERE WE WERE GOING IT WOULD START BLOWING COOL AIR (NOT COLD). WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HEMI AND A/C DO NOT GET ALONG AND THERE WOULD BE AN COMPUTER UPDATE SOON. WE GOT THE COMPUTER UP DATE A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT DID NOT WORK. DON BOHN DODGE HAS BEEN GREAT BUT DEALING WITH CHRYSLER IS A NIGHTMARE. I WROTE CHRYSLER SINCE THE DURANGO HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP. THEY DONT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY. I SO DIGUSTED ALL I WANT IS MY MONEY BACK.

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  TROUBLE!!!! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Tam - September 17 - 3:28 pm

  The intrepid was my first car and at first I loved it until a month later it started giving me problems. Every month I had to buy a new tire and my transmission went completely out like a few weeks ago and my battery died like five times or so for no reason. My water pump went out and overall the car stinks!

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  Stupid Dodge Dynasty - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By pamel44 - September 8 - 2:07 pm

  I bought my Dodge at a car lot used with 56,000 miles. Here it is 3 months later and with only 61,000 miles the transmission is out. I would not recommend this car........serious! Dont buy one!!!!

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  Disappointed - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Nancy - September 4 - 10:23 pm

  We bought this van new and within the first year the driver side sliding door mechanism broke and wasnt covered under warranty. Year 2 the air conditioner stopped working and air bag light came on and has perpetually been on since (no one cn figure out whats wrong with it)and year 3 its been in the shop 3 times; brakes replaced, broken water pump and bad EGR valve. Its so disappointing to have such a popular and common vehicle have so many issues.

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  Nothing but problems - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By kris - September 3 - 2:45 pm

  Bought it used a year ago and have so far replaced: fuel pump, 2 oxygen sensors, catalytic converter and the automatic door lock mechanism. total so far is around $3,000 in repairs.

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  Lemon - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Jamie - September 1 - 6:28 pm

  Like I have read in other reviews, the issues with this vehicle are tremendous. The 5.7 litter Hemi has great acceleration and I have been very please with the gas mileage. Other than that, it has been nothing but a nightmare. It stalls when stopping all the time,the dealership has no idea what is wrong since their computer tells them nothing. The interior continues to fall apart daily. Not to mention the extreme loss in value in 1.5 years is huge! I look forward to trading it in as soon as I can afford to bail out!