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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  If it werent in the shop all the time.. - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Melissa - February 11 - 2:18 pm

  Bought this car with 60,000 miles on it, full service records and no history of problems (Ive put three years and 22,400 on it). Supremely roomy interior, we *used* to take several long trips comfortably, however this engine has completely seized up and shut down in the middle of interstate driving (talk about excitement...), while applying the brake in city driving etc. despite regular and routine maintenance. Ive replaced most of the electrical system and half the replaceable components of the engine for more $$ than I care to admit. Nothing but trouble from this engine (I though it was just the 2.7s, guess Im just lucky)!!! Shame, too...its comfortable, and a ton of fun to drive.

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  Misfire on 6 speed SRT - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By biffdog - February 10 - 2:29 pm

  I finally thought I had bought my dream car only to have it be a nightmare. Why is no talking about the misfire issues with the 6 speed SRT8. From what I have heard, this is a very common problem with no fix to date. Buyer beware.

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  gas guzzler - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By kyle c - February 9 - 8:20 am

  it was ok, until the breaks squeaked after 3 weeks. but the gas is ridiculous. i dont go far without visiting a gas station so if u want to save money dont buy this car.

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  Nothing but tranny issues - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By thatoneguy09 - February 8 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this car new toward the end of 2002. Drove fine for the first 1 1/2 years then started having tranny problems. Would jerk real hard when down shifting almost locking the front tires up. Dealer replaced every internal part and the problem still wasnt fixed. Took it back about 2 months later and they said they could not find anything wrong. Well another 4 months or so and it started it again this time it was the harness and they replace it. Well another 3-4mths it had again. they replace the speed sensor and harness. and now for the 10th time total they are replacing all internals in the tranny again. Do not buy this car used.

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  Never Again - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By pepsi512 - February 8 - 11:03 am

  Stay Away, I will never own Dodge again. within 1 month of owning, blown head gasget, blown pressure relief valve, Replaced. Then engine lght stays on..no power uphills, sludge build up in engine (oil changed correclty) Misses, overheats. Cant see when backing up vision field limited. I would highly recommend if you are thinking of buying an intrepid research not only this year but many others have severe engine trouble. I cant wait to trade it in if I can ever get it to run long enough to trade in! Value drops.

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  Bad fit/trim - Beware 19" tires - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mbardsley - February 5 - 2:13 pm

  After having this vehicle for a few months, I really am not that excited over it anymore. Lots of interior fit/finish issues that lots of people having. The make-up mirrors on the visor, will be the first to break, very cheap. Watch out on your brakes, this vehicle will eat breaks in 10k, and warp the roters. I do work of a large rental car company, and they have major issues with this vehicle and its breaks. 19" Kumo tires, avoid the 19" option. The tires are cheap crap, went through 3, road hazards, thin sidewalls, soft tread, and you cant get the tires. Discount can get them, order only.

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  Not, so good - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By gavalladares - January 30 - 1:14 pm

  This is not a real good car, I thought It will start to break down after five years of the date was built. I got a 2006 and its down already. I had 14 months since I got it, and Im disappointed with it. I believe the problem I got now it has to do with the ignition coil, the other problem, I had it with the "check engine" light, The mechanic said it was the catalytic converter. The paint job is not very good, the back seat is uncomfortable, the interior materials used are cheap. The engine lacks torque. You cant expect more of it. You have to drive it with care. The back seats are uncomfortable.

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  Never again - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By anthony - January 28 - 4:39 pm

  Our 2005 Dodge Caravan has about 52,000 miles on it now. Whats wrong with it? Transmission slips in reverse and the rack and pinion leaks on the pasenger side. Lucky for us this is covered under our extended warranty. Right side front impact sensor bad, right tie rod end bad, and the sway bar bushings are bad. Not covered under warranty. The dealer wanted $900 to fix the three problems. I told them no I would do the repairs myself. Well $12 for sway bar bushings, $35 for tie rod end and $35 for impact sensor. it took about 1.5 hours to do it. Anyway this van is not built very good. Driving thru little mountains in Arkansas and we getting passed by a Geo. Trust me dont buy a Dodge

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  love the AWD - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By caryn - January 21 - 2:00 am

  little monor annoyances - steering wobbbles at speed - balance/alignment dont hold.

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  Young mans ride - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By DANO - January 19 - 8:24 pm

  I bought mine from an older gentleman who took exelent care of it. Its a beautiful royal blue. It has the twin turbo hood resembles Batmobile. Inside sets too low for me. I was disapointed to find out it was not a true Dodge but rather a Mitsubushi drivetrain. Maybe this is why motor and tranny dont last long but mine has because have babied it. I will be selling it soon, maybe if it had a real Hemi like a 426, I would keep it.