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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  Dont Buy! Dodge Grand Caravan - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Hieu Le - November 12 - 9:20 am

  We bought the 1996 Grand Caravan 2 years ago. when we bought it, its only got 65K miles on it. Now it got 81K miles on it. Transmission and water pump failed twice. Electrical problem, make me crazy sometime. We keep losing money for it every for like 11 months. We are afraid to buy a Dodge again.

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  FINALLY DONE WITH CHRYSLER - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bellguy - October 28 - 1:52 pm

  Bought this van new in 2005, has been a great hauler for grandkids and big stuff. In 80000 miles, it went thru 3 sets of front brakes and 2 sets of rear brakes, the original tires lasted 28000 miles. Cooer GS4 have lasted 52000 mi. in the last year the sliding doors have decided to rust on the bottom and the rear fender wells have also started. The 3.8 motor has used a quart of oil every 1500 miles since 47000 mi. replaced the turn signal switch 2 times. Final thing the driver side spring broke the other day, never had a car do that. very dangerous. with the rust not sure its worth repairing. Worst of 4 vans.

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  I want out! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Bman - October 17 - 3:26 pm

  All in all, its decent. I should have never leased. Having a quad cab pickup has come in handy a few times. I think the transmission shifts funny, but another guy at work says his does the same thing. Basically it gets poor fuel mileage and its as heavy as a tank. Paint on the bed rails is bad. There are lines in the paint underneath the clearcoat. Door moulding is falling off. Took in for first oil change, service guy said I had a rear axle seal leak. this was at 2800 miles. They never called me back to tell me the part was in. Cheap and boring interior. But " I had to have it!" Terrible acceleration unless your foot is to the floor.

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  The new Dodge, same old same old - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By James - October 8 - 12:16 am

  I bought this car from an individual. I paid just $500. I found the acceleration with the 3.3 to be more than ample. The drivetrain is good for the engine, and shifted smooth. Even though the car has never left me stranded, I have poured quite the sum of money into it. When I bought it, it needed brakes. Thats maintanence. After driving it for a month, the inner and outer tie rod ends on the drivers side are going bad. Map, and O2 sensors went bad. The rear transmission mount is broke. The downshift linkage in the transmission is sticking. Dodge did a horrible job on fit and finish. Same old Same old.

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  Thirsty car - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By smc in Colorado - October 2 - 10:34 pm

  This car is okay, and thats about it. You dont expect an SUV to get 25 mpg, but this thing is like Dudley Moore at last call - drink, drink, drink. It doesnt "hug" the road well, and it really feels only average in the snow (part of the reason for owning an SUV). It hasnt been a horrible experience, but no way I buy it again.

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  Dont buy Dodge Van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By shenlg - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought SE plus stow&go a month ago (9/2005), just after 30 miles of driving, the muffler began to make big noise, went to the deal for a fix, they told me its the design problem, they couldnt do any thing about it. I should have bought a honda or toyota.

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  Great but unreliable - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Roo - September 27 - 12:16 pm

  This car is a hunk of junk. Not even 40,000 miles on it and Ive had to spend thousands of dollars doing repairs. All the repair shops are crooks to make it worse. So far Ive replaced the steering rack (got swindled on that), water pump, rotors, etc. Sad thing is this if my first American car after many reliable Japanese cars. I really wanted to like Dodge, but never again.

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  Lemon? - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Chrissy - September 25 - 2:37 pm

  Am I the only one that has had nothing but problems with my car? Multiple transmission problems? Radio replaced because the buttons just stop working? Horn works every once in a while and no one can seem to solve the problems. I had to have it when it came out since Im not am SUV kind of gal but I am so dissapointed. For the amount of money I spent I am not pleased with the way this car has performed.

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  Hot yeah....no a/c. No room car seats - 2013 Dodge Avenger
  By L W - September 24 - 6:40 pm

  A/C goes out on these so we traded it in last week. Google and see goes out on this car. Also, forget car seats this car for three babies/toddlers....dont fit in.

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  unreliable - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jeff sanders - September 14 - 7:23 pm

  both front brakes went at 21000 miles. both tie rods replaced once under warrenty . at 22000 miles went again. replaced with after- market ones.paid out of pocket as I did not want to keep putting junk back on. transmission seal leaked at 26000 miles. dealer asked if i wanted to replace transmission oil and filter while seal was replaced under warrenty. 150.00 bucks out of pocket and I was back on road. (oil and filter) check engine light on at 28000 miles. ekg valve. no warrenty. 220 bucks later back on the road. still have two years left payments to dodge. have not spent a nickle in repairs to my 1999 toyota 4 runner during the same period. dodge will not get another nickle out of me.