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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  Run For Your Life - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Denise - June 14 - 6:51 pm

  This is by far the worst car I have ever owned. The first year was okay, but it went "downhill" after that. The a/c and heating is far from adequate and very loud especially on high. It took the dealership three years to figure out what was wrong.(it was the condenser) The power locks and windows have worked much less than perfect for the last four years. Now 62,500 miles and 7 years later the motor has thrown a rod and I am receiving information that I am not the only one that has had the motor go "kaboom" at 60,000 miles. So, beware if you buy a 1999 Dodge Intrepid.

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  Spirit - 1993 Dodge Spirit
  By CarMikie - May 28 - 8:12 am

  Purchased this vehicle as a second owner car, with 31, 302 miles. It now has 76,000 miles on it and has had not one, not two, but three automatic transmissions in it. We have also replaced the front wheel bearings twice. This car is lady driven but all in all its just another piece of junk. The power windows have malfunctioned and the air conditioner compressor is noisy when engaged, and we have had significant issues with the idling. My recommendation, they are no good.

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  Caliber problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By J & C - May 28 - 7:00 am

  We purchased the Caliber because my previous Dodge cars were great. The trend stops here. Since having the last routine service done, the car has been in the shop 4 times. One was for a faulty engine light sensor (this still hasnt been fixed), and most recently (and most alarming) because after plugging in the block heater overnight, the engine light came on again. The service department finally ran a full diagnostics and found that there was a "software deficiency" in that plugging in the caroverheats some component and causes the engine light to come on. They advised us not to plug in the car. We live in Canada, and it is currently -30ºC out. We must start the car every 4 hours. No ETA on a fix yet!

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  4x4 3.9 Dodge Dakota, What a Joke - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By chris - May 25 - 9:44 pm

  By far the worst pickup truck Ive ever owned up to this date. From the second I drove it off the lot there was nothing but problems with my 2003 Dodge Dakota. The list is unfortunatly too long to list everything. Lets just say that now Im having problems with my airbag! Like I said, everything wrong with it. This is a poor excuse for a 4x4. Absolutely no power to the tiny 3.9 lawnmower engine it has. Transmission makes the engine race and yet never pulls into gear. And lets not forget that when driving it constantly feels like youre dragging an anchor.

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  Unreliable long-term - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By The Whites - May 23 - 8:03 pm

  Looking to buy a minivan (Not Dodge!!!!) Kept current Caravan in excellent condition & purchased ext. warranty. Transmission blew @ 76,000 miles (- $2600); A/C compressor & evaporator went at 102,000 miles (-$2700) of course after attaining full "paid off" ownership. Seemed like a "timed" bomb. Total cost of 7-yr old van after initial investment = $27,000. Not reliable for long-term ownership. Dodge servicing in South FL. (used several) was not satisfactory as well.

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  Its Used - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Casie - May 20 - 12:31 pm

  This car seems to be lacking serious horsepower. Or at least mine is. I have the worst gas mileage in the history of 4 cylinders (5spd to boot) Approx 16 mpg. Also it has a major problem with the window sealing. I have a major leakage. Anytime it rains it leaks. If I am driving I hear a lot of air leaking through. But what can I say, its used.

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  Not a happy camper - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Not a happy camper - May 5 - 12:53 am

  I purchased my 2009 Journey in Sept. of 2008. I had 13,000.00 mile on the car when my breaks went. The dealership said they are not covered. My driver side heat seat burns my back and doesnt heat your butt. While driving I heard a huge bang like I hit something and then the heat seat (drivers) stopped working. My car wont go over 45mph, it was putting and when I got to the dealership they told me it was fine.This is bull crap! Passenger side window does not go up from the drivers side button. Its ok for them to sell you the car but they dont want to cover anything. this is why I bought a brand new car so I wouldnt have problems. thats all I have. seat fabric is horrible.oil lt. always on

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  Problems! - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Danny - April 26 - 3:03 pm

  So many problems with it. Dashboard randomly went out and none of the gauges worked for a period of time. All four tie rods went bad at 83,000. Has not been generally reliable

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  Grand Caravan- Good design, poor quality - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By stofman - April 16 - 8:17 pm

  Bought this van new. Pretty much one problem every time we drive it! Great design, but very very poor build quality! So far, the tranny went out at 60,000, A/C at 62,000, coolant multiple times, etc etc. Its been in the shop more than it has been on the road. Would NOT recommend anyone buy this van!!

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  Cant wait to get rid of (leased) - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By loveartis - April 14 - 10:00 am

  (Bought new) Had locks on 2 doors replace, made a loud noise when operating. Low front end scrapes inclines/declines. Had thermostate replaced dealer said soon to overheat. Heat/AC vents just fell off of two - had replaced. Gears skip when pressing gas pedal in stop and go traffic. Does not hold value. Small back seat for legs. Trunk to high.