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:

• 

  Do not buy! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By UNHAPPY - October 26 - 9:54 pm

  This is the worst vehicle that I have ever known. Granted, I bought it salvage title due to a small dent. It only had 70k and I figured it was a champ, by the sound of the engine. $3,000 later, I hate myself for it. Ive been through every system of this car. The head gasket, the alternator, the fuel pump, etc. I loath Dodge. Never buy a Neon. Reviews like this are common for this model. I am junking it tomorrow for less than I bought it.

• 

  rather have a Honda - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Yakd - October 20 - 10:33 am

  The touchscreen has already stopped working, the day after we bought it. The culprit is faulty software, but of course Dodge does nothing until they have to, there goes another day wasted at the dealership. A new screen has to be ordered. A plastic piece snapped off of one of the stow n go seats. The storage bin on the back of the drivers seat keeps popping out. The interior looks very cheap given what we paid for this van. The material used on the seats, as well as the cushions, probably wont wear well. No wonder the company is in trouble. So why didnt we buy a Honda? Husband thinks theyre overpriced.

• 

  Shame on you M&M Dodge in Kalamazoo,MI - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Sara - October 3 - 5:01 pm

  I never though my 97 Intrepid would have turned out this bad. I replaced almost everything. I even had a friend make me a bolt for the engine because no one had a replacement. On my way to work my car just died. The only thing I havent replaced was the computer and I had done nothing to the wiring. Towed it to M&M Dodge in Kalamazoo, MI what I told them what the problem was but they didnt want to hear it. Woman are dumb! Joking. Well they figured out it was the computer, after they pulled off my new water pump,wanted $400 to put it back on. When my mom took the car back they told her it was unsafe,give them the title. The car was safe, they took the car.She fell for it. Shame on you M&M Dodge!

• 

  Concerned buyer - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kim - September 30 - 5:56 pm

  I purchased this van in September and now it is already in the shop for noises in the exhaust system when I accelerate from a complete stop and a cold engine. The exhaust system has just been replaced and now there seems to be another noise. As I write this the van is still in the shop. I am just wondering what else I will encounter. Has anyone had this problem with their van?

• 

  Nothing but problems - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Rick - September 25 - 4:58 pm

  After reading all of these reviews from when people first bought their Intrepid Id like to hear from anyone that still owns a 2.7 L. I bought mine used with low miles and thought I got a deal. Then the problems started. Water pump, timing chain, tensioners and on and on. I believe the 2.7 is a lemon.

• 

  In a bad way. - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By amyf - September 24 - 8:44 am

  Let me begin with the interior it was suppose to have stain resistant fabric interior, it doesnt. The fabric has marks where my child got in with a damp swimsuit on, can get it off. the door handles do not match each other, the seat belt harnesses have fallen apart, the plastic on thee drivers side seat is breaking. The truck is a fuel hog! and the gas cap doesnt make a good seal which makes the service engine light come on when you refuel or get low on fuel. both of which happen often. There is always a lag in the transmission when driving & driving up a steep driveway is nearly impossible. Worst vehicle I have ever owned. Would not recommend to anyone

• 

  Should have listened to my wife - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Dre - September 6 - 8:35 pm

  Seemed like a good transition vehicle from the penthouse to the poorhouse! I paid 2 grand for it, twice! Everything that could go wrong with it did. Spent so much time at the shop that a few times he looked at it for free because he felt sorry for me. Now when I drive it, it just dies! Not safe, leaks oil, runs hot, no a/c, a straight bucket!

• 

  Never Will Buy Another Dodge - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By ngris_09 - September 2 - 10:03 pm

  This car has given me more problems than ever. Within the 1st year, the transmission has blown up twice, the cam seals have broke, and lets not forget the door handles have broke as well. I have the stock rims and regular tires and this car keeps getting stuck in the snow. The sunroof is starting to break as well. This car is just falling apart and I havent done a thing to it! I could understand it doing this if i drove it like I stole it but its been adult driven and it still is doing this. Dodge didnt even make the engine, Mitsubishi did. The engine size is pathetic and its not even a manual. I will never buy a dodge again.

• 

  Wind buffeting - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By P Marshall - August 22 - 4:15 pm

  We noticed that when the rear windows are open at speeds over 35 mph, the vehicle steering column, doors vibrate & shake. Called the dealership & was told its a design flaw, cant fix, and that at highways speed the passenger compartment fills with turbulent air causing a "parachute" like response which lifts the rear of the vehicle making it unstable to drive at highway speeds. The only fix available is to keep the windows closed. Are you kidding me? At the price we paid I should be able to open any window I like and still have a safe vehicle to drive. Piece of junk. Also, pops out of reverse every 10th drive or so. Nice.

• 

  Gas hog - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Tim - August 10 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this Dakota 4x4 standard cab 2 years ago. Boy what a mistake. This thing sucks gas so fast you can watch the gauge move about 13 mpg in the city. I had a 1990 Dakota and it was a fine truck so had no problems buying this one until I got it home. I am 6,3" tall and have no room to move in it, its pretty but not a good deal. So far the battery, water pump muffler and tires have all taken leave, also the center caps that come with the wheels will not stay on had to get the chrome ones that Dodge has replaced them with. I drive this truck back and forth to work (22 miles a day) thats all I can afford at $4.00 a gallon and go through $40-50 a week. Poor in snow.