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 AWAY!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jtdupuis - August 14 - 9:08 am

  Bought this car brand new in 2009. I have had the transmission replaced once, I am on my third set of brakes and fourth set of tires. I just ate the cost to replace the motor mount, and now I am having problems with the starter. Needless to say, I will never ever ever ever by a Chrysler-brand vehicle again. I can understand having a finnicky vehicle, but this is too much. Almost $6,500 in repairs and maintenance in 5 years...mostly repairs. Ill never buy Dodge again.

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  2013 3.6 L Dodge Journey SXT - about 28,000 km. - 2013 Dodge Journey
  By 4_ur_info - July 3 - 6:35 pm

  On June 1, 2014, was getting off a highway onto a ramp, stepped on brakes to slow down to ramp speed limit and then the brakes locked suddenly, and the vehicle came to an abrupt halt with the ignition still running. As expected everyone in the vehicle lurched forward. What a major scare! Have not had another incident since then. Have limited confidence in the vehicle now and am not willing to take it on long distance trips.

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  DO NOT BUY!! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By flaboy84 - June 23 - 3:31 pm

  STAY AWAY from the Nitros! When I drove mine on the highway the hood shook, the mirrors shook (no matter how tight they were on) and the roof rack shook! The AC went out after owning it for a month and the repair price was over $1,000 from multiple repair shops. Save your money & time! DO NOT buy this gas guzzling piece of JUNK. Never again will I buy a dodge...

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  Lemon-DO NOT BUY - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By da101670 - June 17 - 10:44 am

  Car bought Dec. 2013- 13k miles..This car has been 1 problem after the other from 3 recalls to 3 times in the shop due to the service transmission and engine light comes up. The first time the dealer couldnt duplicate the issue.. I drove for a few weeks second time it happened again they had to replace one of the electrical panels. Then the third incident I was on the highway in traffic the car wouldnt move. I had to shut it down and inch my way off to the side to get a towed to dealer and now they have no clue since they cant "duplicate" the issue. Chrysler must be waiting for a serious law suit because I am not the only one with the issue.. just cant wait until my lease is up!

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  Nothing but problems - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By abrown1984 - June 16 - 4:13 am

  The mud flaps drag on the ground every time I go into a driveway the front bumper does also. The front bumper drags even if I a lightweight female am the only one in the car. When its cold outside the pressure gauge for the tires is a pain in the rear. It constantly goes below 27 and sets off the low pressure alarm which is extremely annoying when you know once it warms up a little it will go back to normal. When you get on the gas the muffler sounds really tinny. Like they put the cheapest muffler on it and it rattles like crazy. Speakers are horrible. Now I have begun to smell antifreeze and I have 38,000 miles on the car. No get up in automatic when starting off from a light.

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  Long time loyal dodge customer... nothing good about this dodge - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By cloud23465 - June 4 - 3:08 pm

  Where to begin. Already had to replace 2 window regulators on the front of this car with very little use. I baby this car and it is well taken care of for a 4 1/2 year old car. Dealer ship screwed me on $450 for the passenger window regulator that failed in about 3 years of ownership. Now a year later the drivers side is out. I will try to replace it myself but, once done I will not use the windows anymore. I am and the family has own and sworn by Chrysler since the 70s. Weve own 71 Barracuda, Satellite 72, A Ram charger, Dodge Daytona, Chrysler Sirius and Concord, Ram vans and Trucks and a first series dodge avenger (1996) so, I am not just some fence jumper

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  Do your research before purchasing!! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By alisas90 - May 31 - 11:46 pm

  I bought my 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT (automatic) with 94,000 Miles on it Feb. 2014. Right after I drove it off the lot, the check engine light came on. I took It back instantly, they said it was a fuel sensor. So they replaced it free of charge. At 97,000 miles, I was driving and the car started to jolt, sputter, whatever youd want to call It - the check engine light was blinking. I called a tow truck and had it taken to a dealership-where they "fixed it" They replaced 4 coils, all my spark plugs and also did oil change (it was just about needed anyway for the oil change). 2 weeks later, my family and I drive only an hour away from home. it happened again. dont buy this car!!

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  DO NOT BUY - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By blahblah7 - May 25 - 3:58 am

  It was fun to drive, quick little car. BUT, It fell apart, right around 100, 000 kms everything goes wrong, like the tire rod, cam shaft sensor, o2 sensor and many many more. I had so many problems. I just really want to warn everyone and anyone to not buy this car, it will only be a head ache. save yourself and get a honda

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  What ISNT wrong with this vehicle? - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By bsk62 - May 19 - 1:00 pm

  I puchased my 2010 Journey used. All prior service records were in the vehicle and I was confident that I was buying a dependable vehicle. 2 yrs, 1 month later I have put over $1000 into new brakes, calipers, rotors and axle seal. Estimate as of today is for $3838. New intake manifold, instrument cluster, SKIM module, tune up, transmission flush, & computer update. Just replaced the axle seal. I lose power intermittently in the center console, steering column & doors, slow to shift, sometimes does nothing when attempting to start it, vibrates horribly at high speeds. It is serviced every 3000 miles and issues are addressed promply. Will NEVER buy a Dodge or Chrysler product again!

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  Worst Vehicle I Ever Owned - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By mbus489 - May 10 - 8:44 pm

  Purchased used with 34k in 2009, I have a 06 Dodge Stratus and its the best car I have ever owned. Where do I start, engine is doggy and slow to pick up, bad gas mileage, no rear leg room, plastic on seats by seat belts broke, developed a lifter tap at start up (60k miles) even with proper oil changes, brain went at 70k ($1,200) cant keep rotors on it, drivers door does not seal cant hear yourself think over 40 mph, if I lock it into 4X4 it binds klunks and moans, when I take it out gas mileage drops significantly and it pulls to the right for 2 or 3 days (since day 1), now at 101k the check engine light comes on then goes off but no codes, squeaky front end, I could go on and on.