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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  Not a very good vehicle - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bill Field - October 2 - 9:00 am

  Ive not had good luck with this vehicle at all. Its been in for various repairs 5 times now. Electrical problems, fuel system problems and mechanical problems. Bushings in the front sway bar went bad at 24000 miles. I just took it in for my state inspection and it had a bad tie rod end at 33000 miles. And guess what? Dodge refuses to pay for the tie rod end under warranty. My wife drives this vehicle and she is not an aggressive driver at all. Ive maintained it properly and done everything I can to keep it running smoothly. I do like the removable seating on the interior. Lots of room, but not the most comfortable vehicle Ive driven. This was not cheap either. Thumbs down!

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  Cheap but unreliable sedan - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By raskolnikov_im - October 1 - 2:00 am

  The v6 picks up adequately but guzzles gas. Brake pads have to be changed with absurd frequency. The build quality is fairly poor something which is evidenced by continual small/mid ticket repairs that need to be performed on a bi monthly basis. The cup holders are awful. The rear windows is perched far to high on the back end, which means rear visibility is limited. The back seat does fold down though, which provides lots of room when you need to move something.

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  look for something else! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By luca66 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I was so hoping this would be a great truck to keep for always...in a word...not! Electrical, air, engine problems. should of bought a toyota. No resale value, not dependable, and the service dept too lax ( at least here in L.A.). It quickly runs through a tank of gas and can be as expensive as a luxury SUV...on premium fuel. In conclusion...sadly disappointed with this vehicle and cant wait to get rid of it. Like the other reviewer stated...good for the first 20k miles after that...good luck. Sorry dodge, but work a little harder on your product...looks cool, but that aint enough kid.

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  Dont buy! - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mommyof3 - September 26 - 5:40 am

  We have had problems since 500 miles. There is a terrible problem with the trans and engine! We bought because of the price and 7 seats. No way can you fit 3 car seats in the back row. We are done with the lemon law now. Thank goodness! It was in the shop every month for at least 2 days. Most times 5 to 7 days while they put new parts on. They pushed us around and kept telling us nothing was wrong, but there was. Broke down completely 3 times and had to be towed! Please dont put your family in danger with this car. My friend bought an 08 and just finished her lemon law as well. Too bad this couldnt have been better was nice to be able to take all the kids in one car.

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  OK if you can get it out of Park! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Peter B. Sparrow - September 23 - 1:50 pm

  Bought car for carting 2 kids and wife to do home health care. Did OK in snow but all wheel drive would do better.Has left my wife stranded 3 times in 8 months. Car stuck in Park and the 3rd time the tow truck could not make the manual over ride work, so had to get dolly wheels to get it to the dealer. Front passenger seat needs to have same adjustments as drivers seat. Can not go up and down. Back seats to low. Hard for older people to get in and out. Front under carriage is always hitting parking cement markers.

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  Dont buy one - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Dont buy a Dodge Journey - September 23 - 10:18 am

  I purchased a 2010 in 2015 one owner prior, 52,000 MILES, FIRST MONTH - had to replace the front tie rods drivers side. ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP 62,000 MILES, leaking transmission cooling lines & transaxle coupling etc going out so after one year of ownership its cost me $4,300.00. Worst car Ive ever owned in 31 years of driving. Its a nice looking car and the sound system in great but, thats about it. Acceleration is sluggish at best, average MPG in town 17 MPG 20 HWY, interior is low end but that why its priced low, Seating is not comfortable for longer travel. Hidden Storage is pretty much non existent, Back storage is o.k., good if you fold all rear seats down. Visibility is terrible with the very wide corner post on each side of the front and rear windows.

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  minivan - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By soldiers_wife - September 21 - 11:00 pm

  1 mo after buying this van we started having problems w/ it the transmission was slipping i took 2to a dealership about 6 times having them tell me nothing was wrong my husband came home from Iraq and all of sudden they found the problem and fixed it by overhauling the transmission 3 weeks later it was doing the same thing we traded it in after that

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  Dodge Dakota - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By KenR - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Dodge Dakota in the shop numerous times and nine of those times where for design flaws. I have only been able to receive compensation on one items, the misalaignment of the front end at time if manufacture.

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  Dont buy it - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Angie - September 18 - 5:43 pm

  it is an ugly car that has a weak engine Daimler Chrysler really needs to work on that. The seats are horrible for going on trips

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  should have bought the ford - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By grani - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but probs from day one. First week, stalled in wet weather on the highway. Next the seal on back window leaked. Brakes shot by 25k. Truck is babied while driven, no hot shots. Now one month after new brakes, rotors, the left wheel is smoking. Then the service engine lite repeatedly comes on. Said the gas cap needed replacement. New vehicle, what a lemon.Customer service stinks since day one.Service dept stinks from day one.The grill is cheap plastic, just broke trying to open the hood.My brother has same truck and had brakes go bad at early mileage.