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:
Showing 341 through 350 of 11,324.00-
Never again - 2008 Dodge Avenger
By TRAVERS - March 12 - 4:20 pmI have an R/t 08 fully loaded.The car has been back to the dealer 4 times for excessive thumping and rattling in rear of vehicle.So far they have replaced the rear shocks and mounts twice.Still having same problem.The gas mileage is awful (16 mpg). Since owning the vehicle it has been in for service 7 times including 3 for recalls, and 1 time it was towed in because the computer went crazy and the car would not shift into gears properly. I bought the car brand new. I have had in for about 1 year, it only has 8,000 miles on it, and I can not wait to get rid of it. I do not want to be all negative the car does have some good qualities, but not enough to want to keep the car.
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DONT BUY ONE! - 2000 Dodge Durango
By joe - March 7 - 4:23 pmI bought this truck new in 2000. I had to put a new engine in at 80,000 miles and just put in a new transmission at 102,000. Now its leaking fluid...probably the radiator needs repair. Water pump also just went out... expensive, but solid truck feel. Im selling it to buy a toyota or lexus... or honda... or... anything but a DODGE!
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Not Happy - 2000 Dodge Dakota
By Not Happy - March 4 - 10:00 am18,000 miles total. transmission failure at 3000 miles,Paint coming off rear bumper covers 4500 miles,truck stopped running ecm failure at 9500 miles,fuel gauge sender replaced at 15000 miles. Whats next??? Dont think Ill buy another one
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Eh - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Jorus - February 20 - 10:00 amFrankly, this car really didnt light my fire. I really wouldve rather gone with a Ford Focus or Mazda Protege for the money.
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Paint problems - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
By trademark - February 20 - 10:00 amThe biggest problem I had was at 20,000 miles the clear coat started to peal off the front of the car. Chrysler ended up repainting it and doing a lousy job. The trim "ES" and "Dodge" emblems look like crap now that the chrome plating has pealed off. Roters and front brakes at 40,000. Roters warped very bad. The driving lights are very disapointing, very dim, 35 watts and nothing larger available. Water in the headlights is very common. I am told that it is due to a pluged drain. I cant find it! Gas milage is awful. Average is 22-23. Basically the interior trim is ok. Everything fits together but the noise level in the car at 55 is awful.
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Not for the long of back! - 2003 Dodge Durango
By Nick1011 - February 20 - 10:00 amI went and tried to sit in one of these today, and noticed a not-so-nice feature. They have the rear a/c ducts in the cieling, so if you are long in the torso, you probably wont fit! Other than that, I would have bought one today.
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4.7 engine bad Tranny worse - 2001 Dodge Dakota
By mike - February 14 - 10:19 amTruck has only 52000 miles on it. Has electrical problems and the tranny slips and jerks like there is no tomorrow. With mileage this low I should have no problems, I take very good care of my vehicles. I was extremely disappointed. I traded it in yesterday!
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Highly Disappointed - 2007 Dodge Charger
By Christine - February 13 - 1:34 pmI love the look and performance of my 2007 Dodge Charger SXT. However, transmission problems have come to light that make this vehicle very unsafe. While traveling on the highway and accelerating to pass, the transmission has locked up or something and the car loses power. I have had to coast to the side of the road, stop the car, and restart it to reboot the computer.
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Frustration with my Nitro R/T - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Chafin - February 13 - 8:52 amI wish that Dodge put more thought and time into making their cars. I love my Nitro but cant stand the fact that it has to be repaired so much. My transmission is being repaired possibly replaced, this is the 4th time it has been in for that, my rear latch on my lift gate went bad got that fixed but was not repaired correctly had to return it for that, my rear speakers had to be replaced, my a/c has not worked properly since I bought it. Honestly Im very afraid to buy American cars again
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Going broke from suspension problems. - 2005 Dodge Magnum
By hubberd - February 12 - 3:13 pmTires wear every 15k miles. Car pulls to the right, dealer says every thing is OK after 3 alignments. After warranty expired, I have major issues with front end noises. Spent lots of money on tie rods, stabilizer links, tires, bushings, etc. I still have front end noises. My mechanic says get rid of it. Says car has multilink suspension. Too many parts that can break. People wonder why American car companies are going out of business. Im buying a Toyota next.
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Dodge Avenger 443 Reviews
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Dodge Caliber 634 Reviews
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Dodge Caravan 577 Reviews
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Dodge Challenger 288 Reviews
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Dodge Charger 743 Reviews
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Dodge Dakota 1,069 Reviews
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Dodge Dart 138 Reviews
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Dodge Daytona 44 Reviews
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Dodge Durango 1,400 Reviews
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Dodge Dynasty 43 Reviews
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Dodge Grand Caravan 1,244 Reviews
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Dodge Intrepid 825 Reviews
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Dodge Journey 498 Reviews
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Dodge Magnum 598 Reviews
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Dodge Neon 1,187 Reviews
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Dodge Nitro 296 Reviews
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Dodge Ram 1500 1 Reviews
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Dodge Ram 2500 2 Reviews
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Dodge Ram 3500 1 Reviews
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Dodge Ram Van 14 Reviews
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Dodge Ram Wagon 20 Reviews
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Dodge Shadow 75 Reviews
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Dodge Spirit 65 Reviews
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Dodge Stealth 121 Reviews
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Dodge Stratus 783 Reviews
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Dodge Viper 215 Reviews