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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  Glad its gone - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By thumbingaride - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed.Front end rattles and speed sensors have gone out twice in 50,000 miles.$400.00 Interior design needs improvement.

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  dont get one even if its given to you! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By jetta lover - February 1 - 2:00 am

  We were happy at first- the style, cabin capacity, and mileage are all good. That was the honeymoon period. Then, the head gasket had to be replaced and the air conditioner repeatedly recharged. At 50,000 miles the engine started crapping out- consuming oil and the engine needed to be replaced- the cost would have "totaled" the car. Had to fill it with a quart of oil once a week. Speedometer worked only when it felt like it... wiring in stereo was bad and the right-passenger-side speaker set on fire. Needed new tires at only about 30,000 miles. Charged A/C a week and a half before we traded it in, and was out of fluid the day we turned it in.

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  BIG MISTAKE - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By TJC - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I WAS HAPPY TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE IN AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SOME ELECTRICAL SENSORS FAILING. HOWEVER, THE MOST COSTLY & DISTURBING PROBLEMS CAME AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED LOOSING OIL PRESSURE AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP WE TOOK IT TO WAS NO HELP AT ALL. APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF DURANGO OWNERS. LOOK AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPORTS CLOSELY BEFORE PURCHASING THIS SUV! THOUGH IT HAD ALL THE FEATURES WE WANTED, IT HAS COST ME A TON OF MONEY. I HAVE REPLACED IT WITH A TAHOE AND GET BETTER MILAGE, SMOOTHER RIDE, MORE POWER, & MORE ROOM.

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  Beware - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Help from Paradise - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought for dbl sliding doors and integrated child seats which no other minivan had in 1996. Mechanical features like 3 speed trans, 14" wheels, no std ABS, no power windows except on high end models were below adequate. But, for intended use of kids to school and games <6,000 mi/yr it was doable. Vehicle has been maintenance nightmare: transmission $1,200@ 40K, electrical and engine problems, locks failed, rear door gas struts failed, ... Not only does it need many parts, they are expensive (ex fuel injectors, fuel pump) and this is before they were Mercedes parts. Will never buy another Chrysler no matter how long they increase the warranty.

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  Buy the warranty and dont be shy! - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Marty - January 14 - 10:20 pm

  Bought this vehicle because we got a great deal Dodge bring in the 2008 body change saved over $7000. From new we complained that there was excessive noise coming from the passenger side rear door, we kept being told they could not reproduce the noise. What does that mean? Finally insisted in seeing service manager to find out there is a service report out on the weather striping. Why wouldnt service have access to this? Any way also had tie-rod ends replaced at 19,000 mi and needed brakes an 20,000 dealer also LIED about needing rotors I did brakes rotors easily well in spec. Tranny is terrible, and Im sure there will be no end of trouble with this thing. Wish I had my Windstar back!

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  80 Miles New and Top End Destroyed - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By PilotInLA - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the car less than 12 hours/80 miles and the Top End self destructed. Dodge has done nothing in helping get the car fixed. Im told repair could take 10 + weeks to pull the engine and send to factory in MI. District Manager Jason Baldwin will not even return my phone calls. Very poor customer support for a $90K cash purchase. I own two Benzs (S55 and SL55 AMGs). Youd think D/C would support their upper level customers better. Last D/C product Ill buy...

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  Poor Quality - 1993 Dodge Shadow
  By fgdt - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had to replace the altenator twice, Ive replaced the battery numerous times. The clutch now needs to be fixed. The paint is chipping severly and the body is rusting. There is a leak in the roof when it rains. The sunroof wheezes when the car is driven. Ive replaced both doors because they fell off the hinges. Ive had to replace the water pump and numerous belts. This car is not reliable. Every time I got into it I worried about how far it would actually take me. I would not recommend that anyone who is mechanically inclined purchase this vehicle. If you like fixer-uppers and know a lot about cars this car is for you.

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  run in the exact opposite direction - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By sucka with a clunka - January 9 - 2:00 am

  the price sounded good. thats about it. they should pay the consumer to take the car from them. fun to drive when it runs right. those times are few and far between. bad head gaskets, fuel pumps, cam seal, bad brake life, light seals, not to mention all the noise. wind noise is annoying at highway speeds, occasional clunking from front end, and the rear struts always sound like theyre shot too. and the worst part is when the noises are checked by professionals they cant find anything wrong. if you enjoy getting taken then i suggest buying a dodge/plymouth neon.

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  junk (non recycle) - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By bann - January 9 - 2:00 am

  vehicle has 71,000 km. Repairs to date blown head gasket (3.3 L engine). Blown transmission (4 speed OD). Air conditioning pump blown. Emergency brake broken. These repairs cost thousands of dollars, can anybody do anything about these transmissions ??? seems they Just keep pumping out the same junk parts for suckers like me.

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  Dodge "Lemon" R/T - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By rch - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had so many problems with this car. The front end is messed up,it is the roughest riding vehicle I have ever been in. My interior lights have been going out one after the other and my rear view mirror that had the auto dim on it no longer works. Also it is having transmission problems and my drivers side door does not shut properly. My windows also leak and the inside of the doors are mildewed and stink and everytime I put my windows down I can smell it. Car is a lemon!!