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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  Brakes! UGH - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Amy - May 16 - 7:46 pm

  I bought my Journey in June of 2009. Loved it thought it was really nice and had lots of cool features. At 7k brakes and rotors replaced. Now with 19k the brakes and rotors need to be replaced again at my own expence. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! Ok Chrysler has a serious problem here. They need to either make quality products for these cars or quit selling them! I am sensing a pattern that I am NOT happy with. Want to get rid of it now!

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  My new Viper - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By 2tall - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car overall. The only american car to qualify as an exotic. The only "rare" production car in america (maybe Prowler too). Blows the doors off everything out there except 1 Porsche and the new Lambo. More expensive and rare than anything that BMW makes except the Z8, and everything Jag makes except the XKR convertible. Style for days. Power for weeks. Everybody else, sit down.

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  After 120K miles My Caravan doing great! - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By Happy inHawaii - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Not all 91 caravans bad. I got an SE w/ 3 speed auto w/ 3.0 liter mitsubishi engine. 4 spd caravans had a greater than 20% risk - problems. Early on - some electrical problems. Paint is doing well, wax twice a year. Last year I replaced my radiator , the distributor, as well as my muffler 2 years ago. Transmission original. MPG is 23 mostly highway at 55-60 mph. Air conditioning original and doing well. I changed spark plugs a wires twice. Throttle body adjustment once a year and have rebuilt/replaced brakes/pads twice. There have been numerous recalls but most were small . Today performancee same as at 40,000 miles. One squeak from the left mid rear panel.

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  Most Incredible American Muscle Car - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By getbit - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Most exhilarating drive I have ever experienced. This is my third Viper and cant seem to find a peer for sheer adrenaline rush that this car provides.

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  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By KCKettridge - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we really like this truck for its roominess, versatility and comfort. The Quad Cab is great for families with kids or an extra adult or two. The back seats three kids comfortably or two adults with good head and leg room. Its quite and comfortable ride are well appreciated on longer trips. Although the gas mileage could be better, giving its weight and size, it is better than some full size, regular cab trucks.

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  Typical Dodge - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ike - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Dodge has a knack for making cool fun to drive cars that excel in comfort and power. The Intrepid is all of these. Dodge also has reliability issues. The Intrepid follows those lines. Ive experienced air conditioner, as well as transmission problems. I drive a lot and have never broke down in a bad spot, she always wears down before she breaks. I wouldnt recomend this car after the 100,000 mile mark as this is when my real problems began and 14,000 miles later they continue to mount. I say make a choice of comfort V. quality on the Intrepid.

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  Great Car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Pbdb - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about a year and I have had no problems at all. It would be nice to have better cup holders in the car.

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  Love my Caravan - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By bikerdad - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I love my Caravan. Its one of the most versatile cars Ive owned. Great for hauling stuff home from Home Depot, taking the dogs to the park, etc. Have had no major problems in 4 years. Pretty much just routine maintenance. I would buy another one.

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  Issue with catalytic converter - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Bryan64 - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE my 98 Dakota. It has performed reliably, except in one dept: I seem to be replacing cats annually. A rattling begings to develop when the engine is pulling (I enjoy pulling Gs out of my V6 w/ low geared rear-end). Dodge warranty has replaced the cat twice, and a muffler once because part of the cat went down the pipe and damaged the muffler. I have discussed my need for acceleration with the Dodge Boys and didnt get any indication that my driving is affecting the cat. Dodge wont evaluate the O2 sensor when they replace the faulty cats.

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  Rlibby Green Caravan 1999 - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Rlibby8866 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This Caravan SE has been very reliable . I have spent many hours riding throughout the Northeast, in snow, rain, and sunshine and I must say the Caravan gave a very comfortable ride. During the winter with snowtires on all four, the road/tire noise is abit loud...but I knew I was safe. I have replaced the front rotors and pads once at 90,000 miles and the condenser in the a/c was replaced at 95,000. The van now has 133,000 miles andis still running very smooth.