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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  disapointment and frustration !!!!! - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By john bergendahl - August 7 - 2:00 am

  i purchased it with 29,000 miles on it.got rid of it at 34,000 miles.the whole time of ownership i had a check engine light that stayed on more then the radio! a/c didnt work either.i changed the oil every two months regardless of miles.the sludge build up wont stop no matter how much the oil is changd i recomend any one with a intrepid to get rid of it NOW!!!!!!!!!

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  Terrible - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By olive5 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this leased vehicle from my company (who obtained it new) and I know it had good perodic maintenance because I saw the records but it had catastrophic failure of the engine and transmission with less than 74,000 miles on it. Daimler-Chrysler should be ashamed of this 2.7L engine.

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  Dodge stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By damon24 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  So far I have a lot of fun with this car. Its a little too low to the ground but I can deal with it.

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  This cant be happening - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By FRUSTRATED - August 1 - 4:40 pm

  I purchased our vehicle in May 08 with 2200 miles on it. I have had nothing but problems with it since. From recall after recall, to the brakes and rotors having to be replaced at 24,000 miles, and now having a major stalling issue. Even after the dealership says there are no recalls and several disgruntled phone calls my vehicle is still hesitating and trying to stall. My advise to anyone who thinks of purchasing this particular vehicle. READ THE REVIEWS FIRST! You will be sorry if you dont!

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  Beware not a car to purchase - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nfrn - July 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 97 Neon new in late 1996 and it has been nothing but trouble. The headgasket has been replaced twice , brakes 3 times and we had it laid up for six months in a garage because it wouldnt start and no one could find the problem ( eventually the third mechanic to look at it found the key chuck had snapped off the end of the cam ). It still has only has 70000 miles on it. For 50000 of those miles I would say oil was leaking from somewhere. The Dodge dealers in Texas were fair to deal with but back here in Newfoundland they were nothing but trouble so we eventually purchased a Saturn.

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  My Dodge - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By carmesin - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had many problems including needing a new head gasket, radiator and transmission. It has been nothing but problems since I bought it. I only have 80,000 miles on it. I am looking for a new car.

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  Disappointed! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Duffer - July 15 - 2:43 am

  Traded an 05 Liberty due to poor gas mileage. Not much better with this unless you have a tailwind or dont use the A/C or defrost. All 4 tires worn on inner tread at 20,000 miles. Dealer told me Chrysler would not do anything about it but I was welcome to call them. Had the dealer diagnose the problem and found 3 of 4 wheels out of alignment along with the trust angle. Told Chrysler they will fix it and replace the tires or I will never buy another Mopar. Scheduled to be fixed in 4 days. First car I have ever had snow pack in the wheels causing them to go out of balance. Shortly after purchase, car died at the grocery store. Unhooked battery to get started. Dealer replaced module.

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  Never buy a Neon! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By ever - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Paint peeled, speedometer went, guages worked intermittently, had gauge transplant, oil warning still failed, CONSTANT problems w/ breakdowns -- oil leaks, gaskets, have poured money into fixing it -- dont want to add it up. Noisy, hard to get out of, cup holders impossible, no clock, no oil gauge, overhead light went on while driving & couldnt be fixed, same with radio hence no interior light (had to take out bulb) -- a PAIN!!!!!!

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  Never should have left the plant - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Bubba in SF - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This is the worse vehicle I have ever owned.At 38000 mi.the valve cover gaskets went. At 78000, the front seals went. At 93000 m. the head gaskets, rear seals and water pump went. The tranny went at 97000. My vehicle before this was an 88 Jeep Cherokee that had over heating problems. I would never consider a Chrysler product ever again. We had to buy a Camry while we wait for a tranny so we can sell this lemon.

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  I REGRET - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Mark Thompson - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Has a rattles from under the dash that the dealer cant seem to locate. Very poor fit and finish. Front brakes squeel no matter what the dealer does.