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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  more improvement needed - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By mossygalaxy - January 16 - 11:37 pm

  i bought my dodge avenger on 12/24/08, likes the body style, drives smooth but the car stopped like twice in middle of driving without warning, still confused about that b/c i dont have the owner manual. Also i will like to know the type of gas the car uses{ie unleaded,super or premium}b/c it is not mentioned any where in my car, p/s reply on review if you can help . be bless,

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  tire problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By 2puglvr - January 16 - 3:35 pm

  I love my 07 Caliber but the tires that came on the car are awful and seem to be very noisy. I have been rotating them every 5000 miles when i get the oil changed and they are getting worse. I took it back to the dealer after 3000 miles to have the front end looked at and all checked out fine. It didnt need an alignment and all lubricants were fine also. My friend got an S/T model after i bought mine and raved how wonderful my car was. She has also had the same problems.

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  Its been good, but.... - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By Bob - January 16 - 8:22 am

  Purchased a mini-van because of growing family. Had an 85 Caravan and loved it so I came back. Ive enjoyed driving it but over the years it seems that something always needs a fix. Dealership pricing is outrageous! Two tie bars $400 vs $200 at local shop. Brakes close to $300.00.

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  Took My Abuse - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Cranky Teen - January 15 - 2:44 pm

  My cranky teen just went past 125,000 miles. It lasted through 11 years of spotty oil changes and benign neglect, but I may have to finally let it go. Had 2 major repairs in that time: Electronics replaced (controlling gauges, radio, etc.) and head gasket repair. Had to rig a fix when the plastic shifter connections broke. Now the transmission/clutch is slowly going, and it stalled on the highway last week. Air conditioner has to be refilled each year and does not last long. Struts gone last year. Paint, 3 speakers, wheel covers, and outside plastic door trim went long ago. She was ugly but got me where I was going now its just not worth the cost to fix.

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  decent truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By chris - January 14 - 9:55 pm

  over all its been a good truck it is what i expected from a mid size truck i have had it 5 years only one problem at 20000 miles the tie rods went bad that was a little disappointing to have that happen so soon especially when i never use it off road and the paint jobs are very poorly done scratches easily

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  very happy with truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Moneydriver - January 13 - 9:00 am

  over all this has been a very dependable trk. other than recalls, had a problem with front leather seat that cracked at 36000 mi. that dealer wouldnt take care of. still looks good and drives great. have AWD plus 4wd in Midwest and never been stuck. gas mileage runs around 15-16 could be better.

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  nothing but problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By disappointed consume - January 12 - 6:34 pm

  I bought my Caliber in June last year. The first 60 days I had it, it was in the repair shop for 42 of those days with electrical problems. They had to replace the "Cluster" in the dash. The car had 8,000 miles on it!! Drove it till winter. No heat. Back to the dealer. Wire not hooked up. Now it has 18,000 miles on it. Bad bearings in the rear end. Just found out there was a recall in 2007 for that. Its possible the car could go out of control and cause a crash. Warranty is done, recall hopefully is good.

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  I love my Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Cal - January 8 - 5:18 pm

  Ive had my truck since it had 27 miles on it and it currently sits at a hair below 130k. Besides the water pump going bad and it still running fine for 3 years until it finally exploded, Ive had not a lick of problems. Other then the standard oil changes around 5k miles and only 2 tuneups, I havent touched a single thing otherwise. This truck has been through hell and back and still starts at the turn of a key. 2500 lbs of block in the bed couldnt hurt this truck. Beaten and abused is the best way to put it and its still my daily driver. IF it ever dies, i will indeed be looking for my next dakota. Excellent truck. By far the best vehicle Ive owned.

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  Decent after some modifications - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Jim - January 8 - 4:08 pm

  I bought this car for looks and performance. The 5 issues I have are the tires (Continental tires feel like Flintstones), the driver seat height, steering stiffness, fuel pump whine, and no MDS indicator. After replacing the plastichrome wheels with real chrome & buying Michelins, the ride is more smoother & looks much better with real chrome. I had to buy a car performance computer to show MDS, but it works great. The only other probs are fuel pump whine, which they claim is normal (its really not), and I feel like I sit too high. I always want to adjust the steering wheel another inch or so lower, but it wont go. I think the black looks best just coz it matches the black trim.

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  Happy Caliber Owner! - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By LMMT - January 8 - 10:29 am

  Have had my Caliber nearly 2 yrs and am very happy with the car. Previously drove a 01 Dakota which was totaled in an accident and replaced it with the Caliber. I have the SXT with the 2.0 and CVT and I average 28-32mpgs. Have taken several long trips and was comfortable riding and driving. Love the exterior styling and do not have any complaints on the interior. Many people from all age groups ask me about the car. Most love the color. Surf Blue Pearl. Seeing a lot more of them since I bought mine. Have had only one minor problem with it since I bought it. Had to replace the horn last winter. All in all I would buy this car again. I bought this one sight unseen.