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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  ATTN: Muffler issue on Stow n Go Models - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Sri_apr_2004 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Not a good design.Getting annoying noise from Muffler at certain RPM(30- 40Mph typically). Dealer agrees it is design issue with stow N go seating models. Spoke to Crysler customer support department, unexpectedly Very Very POOR response. They said, they wont do anything about it and told me do whatever you can. My car has about 1500 miles and only 2 months old. I started noticing this after 750 miles. I am not at all satisfied with Crysler. This is not my first car, this is my 5th vehicle that I bought.

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  lemon of a car - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Kiki - January 4 - 1:46 pm

  One month after purchasing my 09 Journey, I was locked out in the extreme cold because the computer system went dead. I brought it back twice to be repaired. I noticed a rotten egg smell that I brought the car back for twice and was told there was nothing wrong. Then it leaked water through the roof, that was repaired. Now as I was driving 60 miles an hour on the highway, a very loud bang and then the speed immediately dropped down to 2 miles per hour and barely moving. I have been without a car for 2 days while they replace the ptu unit in the transmission. To say this car is a lemon is being nice.

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  Crap on Wheels - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By DantheMan - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Weve put about $4000 into this car, repairing things that should not break. Sun roof-4 times Head Gasket Front Transmission Seal Real Oil Seal Oil Pan Gasket Thermostat Water Pump CD Player Plus, you get to hear the eletrical sounds as they pulse through the radio. The windshield wipers sound cool, the ac has a high screetchy noise, whereas the redefrost is a low hum. No, Im not kidding. Whenever you turn something on, you HEAR it on the radio. Stay away. Stay far away.

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  This Car Is Garbage! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By birdie - January 3 - 2:00 am

  We have spent approximately $7,000 on repairing this car and now the transmission is gone and the dealership wants another $2,000! This car has had a new engine, sensors, a/c problems etc. DO NOT BUY!

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  Dodge Van? never again! - 1999 Dodge Ram Van
  By dditaranto - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 1999 Dodge 3500 extended cargo van brand new. This was after owning three other dodge vans, which I was very happy with. The older vans were built much stronger and lasted much longer between repairs. This van has cost me more time and money than its worth. After just two years I had to sink over $1,700. for the front end to be rebuilt, The rotors were replaced twice at the cost of over$700., the fuel pump was also replaced, the oxygen sensors were replaced(by myself) for a cost of $179.00 for two,the sensor in the rear that controls the speedometer was replaced, etc.Today I was told that the heads need replacing, the fuel pump, the fuel jets,$3,600!!!.. Dodge? NEVER AGAIN!!!

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  Do not buy this car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Robert in Atlanta - December 21 - 4:13 am

  I had this car for 4 days before the engine blew (200 miles on it!). I was convinced that it was a lemon, but the dealership said it was a problem with the car and would not be covered by warranty. Ill take their word and assume it is an awful car. And Daimler Chrysler has backed the dealership! Beware-if you buy this car (or the 300, Charger, or any other car with the same platform) and you have problems, they will not take responsibility. I had heard similar things but wanted this car so badly, I took a chance on it anyway. Biggest mistake of my life. I am actually left hoping that the engine problems continue so I can take them to task and claim it as a lemon. I am a VERY angry consumer!

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  Last one - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Durango 1 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the wrost SUVs I have ever owned. This will be my last Dodge after 30 of Dodges. After renting a both Ford and Chevy SUVs for both road and off road, the Dodge does not compare in quailty. Enginee Problems (I use Mobil 1) bad handeling in the wind and Im lucky to get 15 - 20 up mountain interstate. 18 wheelers pass me. The dealers have no idea of what the problem is. This is my 2nd and my last bad Dodge.

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  bad van - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jen - December 11 - 9:40 am

  this is the 2nd dodge caravan we had and we loved the first one (a 2006) traded for this 2008 and I hate it! everything about it seems cheap, having some engine problems already, both of the back doors now have water trapped inside, Im afraid they will rust out and we have the swivel and go seats and when you you use it with the table you cant fit inside poor layout. Im sick of this van and wished I had my old one back

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  ups and downs - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By jojm - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very good first few years. main problem is dodge...they simply are unwilling or unable to fix problems.

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  Run... Dont get one! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By andiz - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Purchased on May 6, 2003... I did enjoy it for the 1st 5 weeks.. However, at 4200 miles it had an engine change rather than an oil change ... intermittant loss of power and problems with the transmission sliping, and multiple other problems with 2nd engine... did the obligatory oil change at 7200 (3400)miles... But then at 13000 miles the vehicle needed another engine. Dealer said "not their problem", call Chrysler... Chrysler refused to deal with the issue saying "Call the Dealer"