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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  Fuel Pig - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By opie - April 7 - 12:31 pm

  11 MPG Highway, replaced (at my cost) engine at 60000 miles, all servicing done by Dodge, as per Owners Manual. Using Dodge Syn oil. Four sets of Dodge front shocks in 70,000 Miles, spring booster overloades needed to level drooping rear end

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  Worst vehicle I ever owned - 2001 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Andy - March 28 - 10:46 pm

  An absolute dog. Way underpowered for a 3/4 ton. Replaced front bearings five times by 85,000 miles. Transmission problem, chewed up brakes, electronic troubles, and on and on despite excellent maintenance. Finally gave up and traded on a Toyota 4runner.

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  Bumpy roads ahead - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By bdomnor - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Get ready for a rough ride! This thing sucks when it comes to a smooth ride, even worse off road. With 6 people, it becomes even more horrific. The noise and bumpiness makes everyone in the cabin sick. Total waste of gas.

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  Transmission failed two times - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Samtheman - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Had number of problems. Transmission failed at 60k and 100k. New Belt failed at 80k. Dealer was not any help. I will not go back to this dealer any more. I will not buy or recommend this van.

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  Recall after recall - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kdan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  We have had recall after recall on the 08. Eats brakes and is very clunky inside. MPG is bad and we are luck to get 20 on HY and 17 in town. I wish I had spent more money on a Honda. I also own a Dodge Stratus and will trade that in for anything but a Dodge. Not a quality company.

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  what a mistake - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Betsy - March 8 - 5:06 pm

  Where to start. I have had my Journey for 18 months. My seats stain from rain or water, My breaks and rotors just went after 20,000 miles. My pass. window doesnt always work. My front sensor has been replaced. I have a 2009 car and you would think that I would want to show it off but I am embarrassed to have any one ride with me- the seats are horrible!!!!! Want to trade it in on something better!

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  Front end junk - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By bobc57 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Front components junk, brakes/rotors every 20K highway miles, tie rods, upper/lower ball joints, wheel bearings. water pump @40K, ABS module. All periodic maintenance done by the dealer per manufactures schedule.

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  What a Lemon - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Ian from Denver - February 9 - 8:35 pm

  Ive had this 2005 Durango SLT w/ HEMI since Sept 2005. So far it has been a HUGE disappointment. Things that went wrong with it: 1) The CD player stopped ejecting CDs within the 1st month. 2) The front passanger door was bent and the dealership had to adjust it. 3) There is a constant air leak from all windows. At speeds of 60+ mph it gets rather noisy inside. 4) The overdrive off (or as they call it tow/haul)works whenever it wants to. 5) Going down steep hills in 2nd gear the vehicle keeps accelerating and slowing down on its own - cant keep a constant speed. 6) Even w/ the HEMI it is very sluggish and underpowered. No pickup at all - my LIBERTY accelerates better.

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  The Ultimate Lemon - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Andres - January 31 - 8:58 pm

  Be prepared to have it in the shop often, and be prepared for the most expensive of repairs. Beware corrosion issues with the starter cables/wires, battery, and terminals. Beware belts breaking/snapping, burning for both serpentine and timing belts. Beware having to replace the Head Gaskets, and the AC/compressor. Beware having to replace O-rings & seals for solving gas tank leaks. Beware the windshield suddenly cracking right down the middle while its parked and untouched one random day. I have to admit, when the car ran, it was a decently good car. Problem is, it doesnt run often, requires towing often, and is expensive to live with.

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  Dont buy a Dodge - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By darnold - January 29 - 2:00 am

  In the first year- the drivers side windshield wiper arm fell off during rainstorm- passenger side windshield stopped working during snowstorm and the rear wiper moter burned out. With no lumbar support the drivers seat is very uncomfortable. Design is boring and lacks flair!! Only gets about 20mpg and stickers for $27,000!! Go figure!!