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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  ITS A LEMON!!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By kmimay - July 23 - 3:36 am

  I had my car for 2 weeks when the check engine light indicator came on. I took it to the dealer and they stated the gas cap was not sealed properly, they opened it and closed it and said it would reset itself in 50 miles of driving. Well I drove it for the weekend and it stayed on. I took it to the shop for the second time. They reset the indicator light and sent me home. I drove about 20 miles, the light returned. I took it to the shop for the 3rd time and they said I needed to replace the catalytic converter. They sent me home for the weekend. I traded in my Mazda for this and Im regretting every minute of it. The reason we buy new is to avoid these things right? Its a lemon!

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Louis Schmidt - July 22 - 8:41 pm

  The 2.4 L, 172 HP auto transmission does not get near the advertised mileage. Local driving averages between 17 and 18 mpg. Open road better but well under advertised 25 mpg. Quality control appears to have taken the day off when my car was assembled. The front hood and rear hatch are not centered. Roof molding is loose.

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  New trans! - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By NothapywithDODGE - July 21 - 11:23 am

  My wife and I bought the Stratus with 34,000 miles on it in 11/07. We traded in a Chrysler 300 that was very unreliable. What a mistake buying a Dodge. The car now has 45,000 and we have to totally replace the transmission! What a joke. I will never buy a Dodge again.

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  charge it back... - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By charge it back - July 19 - 8:10 pm

  This car looks as if its going to float with ease, and it is very deceiving! Very nice to look at then you get in it and Wonder "what have I gotten myself into". My 3 yr old pacts more Punch then this car. Maybe they should put the battery back under the hood (LOL) the gas leaves faster than the car actually goes! I wouldnt recommend this vehicle to my enemy! For what you pay its not worth it! Im sorry it is such a let down in performance but the compliments are great. Only if they knew. So to sum it all up the gas miles suck, performance is weak but hey I look good driving it. Guess thats worth it. Not! Let me even out the compliments it has great trunk space. So know its worth it. Not!

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  Broken - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By broke - July 18 - 3:39 pm

  I bought this car in 2001 at 69,000 miles. I should have left it on the lot! I needed brakes every three months. I thought maybe I was just hard on the brakes but I asked around it seemed to be a common occurrence. I had 5 recalls on my car with in the first year of my ownership of the car. And between the hoses, air conditioner, gaskets, and brakes. I was broke

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  its a c+ rating at best - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By essexville - July 17 - 7:25 pm

  Fun to put it in corners w/ 16" wheels the road ride is stiff like sporty vehicle, nice. Glass all around few blind spots. I have problems with it that Dodge cant find to fix.

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  Dodge transmission problems - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodge van dies again - July 13 - 8:33 pm

  Bought this van used with 35K, run as a second car till October 07. replaced tranny in march 07 with 61k. under warranty (rebuilt transmission). Tranny goes down again last week with 102K. Dodge wont warranty this rebuilt tranny more than 36K because it was worked on in March, In may they warranty for 80K. Im looking at $3400 for replacement tranny. The warranty dept. (in India) is telling me tough luck, NYC Chrysler dealer tells me the same( thats where it blew). My sister-in laws T&C is on its 2nd tranny too ( same vintage). Got rust on hood and rear quarter panels, Chrysler wont recover because their not rusted through! Come on Chrysler stand by your products!

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  My bad experience - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By PghGirl - July 11 - 10:55 pm

  I would never buy a dodge as long as i live. This car has had way too many transmission problems. It went in over 20 times for the transmission. Plus, when other things go wrong, you have to buy from Dodge directly. They also lied to me at the dealership. Was suppose to have a five year loan, have a six year. Never buy this car. Huge mistake.

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  Be aware! Problem child! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By LAWMAN - July 10 - 3:56 am

  Since the purchase 6 months ago, vehicle has been in the shop 5 times and down for 2 weeks. This vehicle is not reliable at all. Cant trust it beyond the city limits. The check engine light came on 3 different times - told the gas cap was not on properly, 3rd time I made a remark that if it is not fixed I will persue the lemon law. They fixed the problem but was down for 1 week. Had to take in for recall ( cam bearing nuts ) Wife came out of work and the car would not start, had to tow into dealer and it took them 2 days to find the problem and had to wait for parts ( down another week ). Have tried to contact Chrysler, but it has been over 2 weeks and still cant get any answers!

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  my grand caravan - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lopez2 - July 7 - 4:37 pm

  we bought my wife 2005 grand caravan during a bad financial situation and pay cash for it, had 123000 miles back then and now 189000, no problem at all, just gas and oil change. sheap design but great on traveling, lots of room for storage. people we had a saturn relay fully loaded and 0 mile when we bought it, that is the worst car we ever had. let the bank have it after warranty expire at 48000 miles and the heck with the credit score, thats how desperate i was. ill buy another grand caravan for the right price again.