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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  America better build a better car - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By m thornton - February 3 - 8:39 am

  Bought used with 30k ,Now has 96k Engine light was on when I bought it , dealer installed new EGR.valve. Front stab. bush went.replace 2 x so far. ign. key lock went south,(no bloody good reason) window lift motors went out 2x replaced. Vac leak cannot be found (driving me crazy.)New water pump, Idle tensioner pulley, the reat wa just routine maint. I cant realy say I love this car with the problems I have had. Stupid stuff. I will buy a Kia next time

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  Nothing But Trouble - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kwetten1176 - January 31 - 7:20 am

  We bought our van fully loaded back in March 08. It has everything, 4.0L engine, the works. Overall, its a really nice vehicle. However; we have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. As of Jan 10th 09 weve had this vehicle in to have the thermostat replaced 8 times. Its been declared a lemon. The transmission has started leaking fluid, the sliding doors do what they want to. It looses heat from time to time. The remote start works when it wants to. We went to trade this vehicle in for something else and it has depreciated value by $22,000. I almost fainted. We bought the van for $36,000 and I tried to trade it in, and was offered $14,000. Buyers beware.

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  Stay Away! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Unhappy Tom - January 6 - 11:21 am

  Ive owned this car just over 2 years & already Ive gone through 2 inner tie- rods, 2 rack & pinion, & 3 sets of front brake rotors (warping...although they say its not a common problem). The CD player & sunroof (doesnt open) stopped working 3000 miles ago & now the transmission is slipping! Some of this was covered under warranty but much of it has occurred just after the warranty ended. While the trans is still covered, the CD player/navigation system isnt ($2300). This is a fun car to drive when its working! I never bought a Dodge before and will never again. Be forewarned!

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  Pretty good car for price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Heather - January 3 - 7:53 am

  It has a few minor problems such as brakes emitting excessive brake dust but overall a pretty good buy

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  Worst Gas Mileage I Ever Had - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By James - January 1 - 5:14 am

  For the most part I like this car. Its moderately comfortable, reliable, the overall "package" is good, but the gas mileage is absolutely horrible. The sticker said it would get an average of 20 mpg, based on 18 mpg on city streets and 24 mpg on highways. It isnt too bad on highways, getting an average of about 20 to 22 mpg when driving long distance and maintaining a steady speed of about 50 mph. But in stop and go city driving, its awful. Maybe about 8 or 9 mpg at best. Since I dont travel much, do mostly city driving, and the fact the I am retired and dont have tons of money, I cant say I am happy at this point. Dodge says they will fix it, so all I can do is wait and see if they do. Well see how much "Chrysler Cares" actually cares...

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  Disaster waiting to happen - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Sludge Monster - December 28 - 10:57 am

  I once read a Durango review that stated, "You never forget youre driving a truck" and that is a perfect description of this SUVs ride comfort. I wanted truck-like durability so I wasnt worried about the harshness of the ride I liked the high clearance and true off-road capability of this vehicle. However, there is a huge oil-pressure issue with this engine. Dodge blames "sludge" and poor maintenance but even meticulously maintained Durangos meet the same fate. Our engine literally blew up just before 60,000 miles. Replaced the engine only to discover more issues requiring money. I loved driving this SUV but warn used car buyers to steer clear of this potential money pit.

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  Sqweak sqweak sqweak - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JIM - December 18 - 12:13 pm

  We have had the van in two times winter and summer for the squeaking sliding doors. This is the fourth Dodge I have bought and will be looking to trade it in asap for an import. Very cheap inside. Rear windows dont open except by going back to do it. Would I recommend this to a friend? No I wpould not even recommend to my enemies.

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  the ultimate people mover - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Edward - December 11 - 3:50 am

  We bought the car with over 90,000 miles on the clock, and it now boasts over 220,000, and the engine has never been opened up, the transmission has never given us grief (though we service the tranny every 20K. We get a consistent 23.56 mpg and always use regular fuel, changing the 10w40 good quality oil every 3K miles. The only mechanical problems in ten years have been a malfunction in the aftermarket remote locking/alarm system, and a pesky serpentine belt that has left the scene of the crime twice in ten years. Were now looking at changing gaskets and hoses because its a regular thing.

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  A few issues - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By t.glacy - December 1 - 9:35 am

  Caravan has 46,000 miles so far. I have already had to replace one sensor (covered by warranty at 30,000). Just took car in for inspection and was told rack & pinion was leaking and repair will be approx $1,000! I am also having issues with check engine light again. Service dept. said it was a different sensor than the last one and needs to be replaced (upstream 02 sensor). Was also told breaks will need replacing soon. Overall I am OK with this vehicle, but getting hit with such high cost repairs so early on is not impressing me to buy another in the future.

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  BRAKES - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Angie - December 1 - 3:43 am

  We have had this car for going on 2 years now. We are seeing issues and after reading on here it is nice to see that we are not the only ones with issues. Today my brake light came on at 27,400 miles. I went to the dealership to find out that my front brakes are totally shot, I need new pads and rotors and my back brakes are almost shot too. So having a fairly new vehicle and sticking over $700. is not my idea of great. I am seeing alot of brake issues and yet Dodge wants to deny that there is a problem.