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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  Dodge this Neon - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By MrOtoko - August 30 - 1:23 am

  Bought this car w/salvage title. Owned since 04, and put 75k mi on it (113k total now). There seem to be a lot of technical problems with it, but Im not sure if that is due to the salvage title. Cant mess with the tranny or it will go out. Most everything went out by 100k. AC is cold, but I think I have radiator fan problems so it overheats. Mechs say its an O-ring problem but they are WRONG all the time (already fixed that 3 times!!! and still overheating - even when idle and no AC on. Car was discontinued for a reason.

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  Journey Problems - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By buddyrelihan - August 29 - 3:33 pm

  Front brakes & rotors replaced @34k (not covered by warranty), both visor mirror covers broken & replaced (warranty), now having problems with transmission. Vehicle hesitates & skips. Dealer said it was normal for the electronic tranny to perform this way. My dealer closed & am now using another dealer. I have not received any recalls from Chrysler or the dealer but Im sure there have been some.

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  Brakes, Brakes, and More Brakes! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Vampi - August 28 - 3:01 pm

  This is another issue with brakes. Replaced front brakes at 9500 miles and told that was normal. Now again at 12,500 miles, plus back brakes. Need front rotors replaced as well. Biggest concern is there was no warning, brakes were completely gone, and no noise from the wheels, twice now. Dealer cant figure out why, but will comp our front brakes. Wont offer much in trade either. Seat stains will not come out of the fabric they use, even with stain guard applied.

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  1 month old, so far, SUPER, We love it - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By W & S Love - August 28 - 9:23 am

  Traded in a 2004 300M, loaded. I have not missed it yet. The options on the Journey we purchased fulfills our most needed feature. Easy entry and exit to the vehicle. We are retired and have leg and knee problems. It was getting very hard to get in and out of the 300M. It sat too low to the ground. We do have 19" wheels on our Journey SXT so it is just the right height to get in and out without having to bend the legs much at all. So Far, we love the ride, looks and quality. My daughter bought a loaded used 2009 Journey R/T the next day after we bought our new one. She loves it. She traded in a 2004 Chrysler Sebring Limited and says she likes the Journey better than she did it.

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  Upset - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Chargerr x3 - August 27 - 2:09 pm

  I bought this car not even 2 weeks ago and Im already having A LOT of problems with it. I noticed the control arm on the car was busted the very same day I got it home and Dodge refused to cover the damages! I love the car, its been my dream car for a very long time but I am furious with how Dodge handles these problems. I am crazy about the car, but I would never again buy a Dodge.

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  my Dodge - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By chicagolandcardeals - August 27 - 1:39 pm

  Absolutely a blast to drive, fun, fun, fun. Better than expected gas mileage but still avg at best. A lot more comfortable than I had expected. Love the retro styling but the huge rear pillars obstruct you blind spots, so pulling out in traffic is a "little" stressful. Overall better than I had expected!

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  Dependability bad! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Kim - August 27 - 8:48 am

  Sure this car is one beautiful American muscle car and I love sports cars, but pls this car has left me twice on the road. The first time was because of a recall that wasnt corrected before I purchased car w/ 5008 miles on it. The second was because it was sputtering and left me on the side of the road. Not good guys. Habitual problems and I have only owned the car 7 weeks and have only driven it for 6 because it took 5 days for the first repair. Not so impressed anymore.

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  Travel Car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Aaron - August 25 - 9:08 am

  I bought this car for my wife to have and to use on long trips and it is very comfortable and convenient. Dodge really packed the space into this seemingly cramped car. Back seat leg room is more than youd expect due to the curve of the front chairs and the trunk looks small, but we have never needed more space even with a car load full of people and their luggage. There are tons of compartments, most notable the tri-fold glove compartment with 3 sections, one of which is cooled by the air conditioner. This is a great place for storing drinks and snacks. Also, for a factory set, the stereo is awesome. Its louder than my stereo with 8" subs and a 500 watt amp.

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  "Dodge", the ghost of - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By chops29 - August 23 - 7:23 pm

  6 speed trans, "jerky," plastic door handle scratches easy. no heat or air outlet to second row seats. found out that hard ride cause by cheap Chinese tires. .cheap brake pads ,wheels covered with black soot after cleaning two days later. Only thing good is, I bought it for 19,200 out the door including a tire and wheel warranty I should be able to sell it in another year and break even.

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  Proud of my Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Joel - August 23 - 4:26 pm

  Man, this thing is huge - at 4500 lbs it weighs as much my wifes mininvan! And, it drives like it, too - not exactly "agile." I would have never payed $35,000 for a new one, but for $13,000 w/65,000 miles I think it was a steal, and its one of the coolest looking cars ever. Doesnt feel as fast as you might think it would, and gas mileage still not good even w/cylinder management. But, every time I look at it or smash the gas, it makes me smile. Oh, and itll hold quite a bit of crap, too.