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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  Dakota - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By ROB - October 21 - 7:36 am

  A good sturdy truck. I was impressed when I towed an 6 yd tandem dumping trailer. I hauled topsoil for a couple of days with this rig. Most people put tonneau covers on their trucks and they become cars with poor mileage. Use your Dodge for what it was made for and you will be impressed.

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  Traded After Fourteen Months - 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By crday - October 20 - 9:38 pm

  Purchased the van because of its flexibility and usefulness. Disappointment came soon after I purchased it. The Caravan was my second consecutive new Dodge purchase. It will be my last. The six-speed transmission almost caused a very serious accident on two occasions. After pulling out from a dead stop, the transmission suddenly upshifted from first to fourth or fifth gear immediately. It began to shudder and took several seconds to downshift to a more appropriate gear. I normally would have had plenty of room. I contacted two dealerships and was informed that there were no issues with the transmission. This was AFTER the first corrective update. This vehicle can be dangerous.

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  Get extended warranty - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Heather - October 19 - 1:12 pm

  I bought my Hemi brand new. loved the drive, my son loved the DVD option, yet 500 miles after my warranty ran out major problems, all the dash lights, turn signals & gauges turn off when I turn blinkers on. Good thing its a lease & I will turn back over in few months because they say nothing is wrong with it!

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  Dont buy a Caravan - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Stevie D - October 15 - 10:00 am

  This van has been in the shop 3 times with problems with the steering column.Recently at 47000 the Caravan has died 2 times during rush hour traffic with transmission problems.Im taking it back in tomorrow for the same transmission problem.They say 3 times is a charm, Well see.

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  Adequate for low sale price - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By tonyv1 - October 14 - 8:00 pm

  We wanted the 2008 GC or TC, but excise tax in Puerto Rico is huge, over 30% on top of full MSRP, so when new 2007 SXT model became available at liquidation sale at under $20K, we jumped at it. Nice surprise was that SXT came with additional options cruise control, power drivers seat, power slide door and 6 CD player we didnt expect, so we paid $5K less than invoice and avoided taxes altogether, and dealer drove new car over 100 miles to us where we had a mechanic verify it was new. Hot PR weather requires AC on full time, so gas mileage is only three quarters expected. Im only 6 ft. tall but still find pedals short and side door controls scrape my legs in front seats. Otherwise, OK

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  Transmisson - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By Cheys for me - October 10 - 10:46 am

  I have had my van for over a year enjoyed driving it. I did not go out and purposely buy it. Family situtation which I took posssession of the vehicle. Ran great took it on about five trips. About a week ago just going down the road felt two jolts and the transmission was gone. Just went out of warranty. So I had to spend over $ 2,000.00 to have it repaired. Went online to check if other people have had problems. I was blown away with all the complaints. No wonder they are offering lifetime warranty. Needless to say Im trading in the near future.

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  Biggest mistake! - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By my3sons - September 23 - 6:06 pm

  We bought our Dodge Durango on 8/4/07. Weve had problems with it slipping out of reverse. A piece of interior trim between the windshield and the drivers door has come loose and is hanging. A piece was also missing out of the interior tail gate door. Weve made one payment and its already been in the shop more than all our other vehicles combined. Seriously thinking of trading it in or starting the "lemon" process.

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  Love the car, hate the repairs - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Jake - September 17 - 6:18 pm

  First I will list the problems: 1. First set of Goodyear Integrity tires did not last long. The first winter I tried to find Snow tires but they did not exsist in that size. There is a little more selection now. 2. Needed the first set of new tie rods at 34,000 miles. 3. Front braked fell apart at 40K miles 4. At 50,600 miles it needed tie rods again and sway bar links. This time I used NAPA parts with a lifetime warranty. 5. One power window does not work. 6. Check engine light comes and goes but the dealer does not know whats wrong. With that all said I like the car, I fit in it(67"). Like the style, its lots of attention. But it makes it tough to reccommend with all the problems

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  Gets all the looks. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By John - September 17 - 1:38 am

  This car gets all the looks everywhere it goes. Sadly, Its been in the shop monthly for one issue or another. Terrible gas mileage On a good day maybe 20hwy. The exterior looks great but can not make up for the cheap plastic interior.

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  Junk - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bernickfamily - September 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car we have ever owned. Transmission went out and electrical problems. All after warranty. This is our last Dodge. Do yourself a favor and never buy one. You may not want to accept one as a gift. I am not alone with these problems. Nearly all owners suffer the problems of this product.