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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  DISAPOINTED - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By ROBERT BROWN - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Im not that happy with this van. i traded in my wifes windstar with 64000 miles on it with nothing but oil chages done. at two years old it rode better,drove better,and to be honest as much as i hate to admit the ford was a better van.

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  Nothing but mechanical problems - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Sad Dodge Owner - May 4 - 2:00 am

  After five years of continuous mechanical problems, the 2.7L engine siezed for no apparent reason (we changed the oil pretty regularly), resulting in a total write-off. I wish Id never bought the car.

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  Underpowered Dakota - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By bobby62914 - May 3 - 2:00 am

  My 1998 Dodge Dakota with a four cylinder is terribly underpowered. Even negotiating a modest grade with the A/C running is impossible. It has no cupholders. It is poor visibility and is not fun, or easy, to drive.

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  DONT BUY NEONS - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By HateNeon - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car was good for the first year I had it. In the past 2 years it has been nothing but a headache. I wouldnt recommend this car to any one. Has a low resale value. In the past 2 years I have put at least $3000 of work into it. The a/c no longer works and now needs to be replaced.

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  Poor Quality for Price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jstout01 - April 21 - 4:26 am

  Have had this vehicle for a little over a year and already replace front brakes and rotors. Appears to be chronic problem with this model. Have had trim on rear bumper replaced twice and still is not correct.Does not hold value -- has lost half its value in 1 year. Will not buy another Dodge product again

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  Hate the car - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Very disapointed - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Before I bought the car I always wanted one. I heard nothing but great things, untill I had one for myself. Maybe it is just the year or something but, it came with many problems, the steering, went through 2 transmissions, radiator, headgasket, breaks every 2-3 months, and the list goes on. If Dodge was good to their people, they wouldnt have allowed anyone to take this car off of their lot. Or they would fix the problems for FREE. Especially the more dangerous items like the steering. Also the car feels and sounds like it is just going to fall apart one. Very loud clicking noises

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  dont buy this van - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By spw - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Van has been nothing but trouble since we purchased it. Has been to Dodge service no fewer than 12 times. Steering wheel made popping sounds, check engine light came on for no reason 2X (once while at Disney World) had to have brakes replaced at 30K miles, etc., etc. I am scared to keep this vehicle for much longer but I am still "upside down" in it so will have to endure it. Will NEVER buy another Dodge. Will spend extra to get a reliable Toyota.

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  Very Unhappy, Buyer Beware - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By MARCI FROM CHINO - April 9 - 11:56 pm

  Our Caliber has been in for repairs several times in last 2 1/2 months. We have a loud pinging/annoying noise that gets louder if your happen to be waiting in line going thru drive thru/or driving slow speed. We have a front passenger door that doesnt fit the frame flush. Headlight that sticks out in front. Gaps galore. Ice cooler that doesnt work. Seatbelt clasp that makes clicking noise as you drive.

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  Unreliable - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By FamilyOf5 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Weve been very dissappointed with the build quality and reliability. At barely 60,000 miles it feels like a 100,000 mile vehicle.

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  Dodge Clunk - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By mseeley - April 5 - 2:00 am

  In short, the most unreliable vehicle ever. From the beginning, quarterly trips to the dealership. At low mileage, problems of all sorts. Electrical, water pump, catalytic converter, alternator, 3 thermostats, starter coil, tie rods, steering linkage...Customer Care at Daimler/Chrysler blows too.