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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  Suckered by great styling - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Chuck B - December 6 - 3:38 pm

  I loved the styling of this car and had to purchase it shortly after it was released. I have had buyers remorse ever since. The reliability of this car has been atrocious and has been in the shop over 10 times within 15 months. #1- the car has pulled to the right since day 1 and they cant fix it. #2- periodic fuel injection issues that took 15 months to diagnose. #3- loud rear wheel noise that they cant repair. I also have to say that dealing with the 3 Dodge service centers and corporate has been a horrible experience. Lease is up in 7 months. I pity whoever gets it after me. I will never buy a Chrysler product again!

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  Confussing models - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By oldsurfer - December 5 - 9:21 pm

  I had an 05 SLT last year tradeed for a limited. The limited has a lot better quality upgrades such as the leather is softer, the door panels are a thin softer material but still way too much plastic, rides real smooth. The models are too confussing. My 05 SLTcame with leather, 4.7, hub caps, no overhead console for gas and mileage read out etc. All SLTs should come with mag wheels and overhead readouts. The limiteds should come with everything. My limited is missing tow, dvd, nav, hemi, chrome wheels. Why is it called a limited?

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  2.7L not enough, otherwise OK car - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Chris - November 30 - 11:03 pm

  Engine sounds great. The steering is responsive, the brakes are good. The handling is fine if you dont ask it to dance. Body motions are fairly well controlled. Its rear-wheel drive (no torque steer!) The body structure is solid. The fit is satisfying, the room is plentiful, the trunk size is fine for a car this big. The base radio sounds surprisingly nice and the car has presence. The bad: Mail slot windows are claustrophobic. Thick front and rear pillars block things you should be able to see. The engine is weak, and the car is heavy (3780lbs!). The steering is too light and does not give good feedback. The car is slow to get off the line, cant turn off traction control.

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  MONTHLY PROBLEM-4 IN 4 MONTHS - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By DCMEYER4 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  PURCH JAN04 HAS NOT STARTED 3X,TOWED TO DEALER. OVERHEAD AND RADIO LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON, UNABLE TO TURN RADIO OFF OR CHANGE STATIONS WHILE CAR IS RUNNING. 1ST DEFECTIVE BATTERY, 2ND- OPEN GROUND,3RD-NOTHING READING OUT ON COMPUTER. AT PRESENT TOWED TO DEALER- WOULD NOT START AGAIN WAITING FOR ANOTHER EXCUSE OR THEY WILL PLAY STUPID "CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM."

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  Decent SUV - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Derrik - November 20 - 6:59 pm

  Vehicle has great pulling power and torque. Has some reliability issues but usually nothing major. Gas mileage is terrible. Nice to climb and mud in. I know several people that own Dodge 4x4 including some with Durangos and the general concensus is the transmissions tend to not last longer than 140k mi.

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  Not bad so far - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bartbilt - November 19 - 4:32 pm

  Good reliability and MPG, up to 30mpg on highway witht the 3.3 V6. No transmission problems. Im 64" and have plenty of leg room, even with the console shifter. A\C broke and I have no intentions of fixing it. Currently have 147,000 miles on it with a few oil leaks. Handles well in the snow. I inherited the car from my wife and use it mainly to commute to work, 50 miles per day. Exterior is holding up well with regular washes and yearly waxing. Black exterior trim pieces are peeling. Also, lost two of the four center hubcaps on the wheels. Noticed that most others with the same wheels are missing some or all of the hubcabs. Wanting to see how many miles this thing will go.

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  Almost a lemon - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Rich - November 17 - 10:25 pm

  This van started with major breakdowns at 15,000 miles and continued with the breakdowns after Chryslers basic warranty period expired. Some of the major repairs needed were three serpentine belts, two idler pulleys, three trans axle speed sensors, A/C compressor and dryer, A/C evaporator core, three new batteries and a passenger power window motor. The $200 optional clear coat paint job began fading and peeling within 3 years and now looks like crap. The headlight lenses have turned milky white. Felt headliner falling down in a dozen areas. I hate to say it, but the extended warranty would have been a real moneysaver with this car.

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  No, you didnt get a bad one - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By nomore dodges - November 14 - 8:07 pm

  My 4.7 engine blew at 74,000 miles with no oil pressure. Heater core failed at 40,000 miles, cost $800 to replace. If youre thinking of buying a Durango, my advice is dont!

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  Does the job, but not the best - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike - November 14 - 4:21 pm

  Regular cab is cramped for larger drivers. If youre over 6 and/or 200lbs (Im both) its uncomfortable. Ride is nice on smoother roads, very stable at hi speed. Gets very harsh over poorly maintained roads. Handles tight for a truck, but stock braking is not good. I highly recommond upgraded pads/rotors. Fuel economy is so-so, only 1-2mpg better than a V8. V6s power is OK. Will tow anything you ask it to, and pulls hard off the line, but passing power on the highway is a bit weak. Clutch is heavy and "grabby", but strong. Seems Im one of the few Dakota owners who didnt wind up with a lemon. Rotors warped at 27k, AC relay went at 35k, AC compressor went at 55k, and thats it. 60k trouble-free miles.

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  Problems with front end - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Chuck in IOWA - November 14 - 12:41 pm

  Was enjoying our van, when after less then 30,000 miles had to have bushings in front axle area replaced. Now, 25,000 miles later need to have them replaced again. Service dept. said company was using a different material on the bushings and wasnt a high enough quality. I have a brother with a Grand Caravan and hes experiencing the same issue. Always have had trouble with Dodge/Chrysler front ends, including a Stratus we had in 1995. Probably wont buy anymore Dodge/Chrysler products.