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:
Showing 581 through 590 of 11,324.00-
Dodge OK if under warranty - 2000 Dodge Stratus
By dennis lang - July 29 - 6:25 pmStratus works well untill the factory warranty expires. Tranny went out at 45K, fuel pump failure at 50K, electric mirror switch at 60K, heater fan blower resistor went out 4 times in the last 3 years. Save money and headaches and purchase a Honda. Chrysler should spend more money to develope a transmission that lasts longer than 45K and less on TV ads.
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Never Again - 2003 Dodge Durango
By George - July 29 - 4:47 pmOwned R/T for several months now and regret trading in my Infiniti for it. Had 32K when purchased and had tie rod problems from the day I drove off lot. Wife broke down 3 days after purchase. Went back to have driver side window switch replaced due to failure, Window came off track At 44k transmission started slipping on highway at 65mph. Took to dealer and whole transmission needed to be replaced over $2k. Lucky I bought extended warranty but still cost me $425 out of pocket. Still doesnt feel right. Slips now when rear end hits any bump on highway. I am going with my wife this week to get rid of it and buy a foreign car. American cars are just not up to the quality level.
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Loved it at first - 2004 Dodge Stratus
By Not a happy camper - July 27 - 5:13 amWhen I bought my car it was great the first three months. Since that time I have had the car in the shop 6 times. The engine has been replaced, the seat belts have been replaced and I am wondering what is going to go wrong with it next! I replaced a 10 year old Chevy with 150,000 miles on it with this Stratus and it has been in the shop more times in the 11 months I have owned it than my Chevy was the entire 10 years I had it. I have written Chrysler and they say it doesnt qualify for the lemon law even though it was in the shop 3 times in 3 months for the same problem. I guess since they replaced the engine they figure that fixes everything. I want to trade again but cant afford to.
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Money Pit--Slick looks, sickly quality - 1998 Dodge Durango
By My Dodge Is Junk - July 9 - 6:32 pmThe gas mileage I expected (around 12), the trips to the shop are ridiculous-- water pump, heater blower, power drivers seat motor, head gasket, rear a/c, etc etc etc. I cant believe a vehicle that stickered for $37K can be such a piece of junk at 100k miles. Had 100K warranty thank God, but even then the dealer said clunking noise in tranny reverse is normal, whistling noise in heater blower is normal...words cant describe my disappointment. On my way to go trade it for a Nissan Murano
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Over the top - 2000 Dodge Durango
By ccriderwa - July 5 - 9:18 am97K miles and itÂ’s yard art. After taking care of the Durango with top quality service and fluids this puppy overheated driving up the hill to my house warping both heads. Steer clear of Dodge products they are poorly built and do not stand up to real word use.
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Vibration at 45 MPH and up - 2009 Dodge Journey
By tin - July 3 - 7:30 amI just bought AWD sxt Journey this past week. AS soon as I drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway starting to excelerate to 45mph the car start to shake, seem like from the rear. The next morning with 80 miles on the gauge I stop in the dealer to have it check. They told me it needs a new rear right axel and discovered that the right rear tire had a defect in it too. Took a week to get the parts. The dealer shop put it on and I was excited to finally get to drive my new car until, the mechanic call back and told me the problem still there. What a disappointment! On a lighter note. It drove nice, looks nice but next time I will think twice before too loyal to American car
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4th one, LAST one! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
By gchrismer - July 2 - 11:56 pmI bought my first in 86, second in 90, 3rd in 96, this one in 2001. Traded last one in w/112K on it, transmission starting to slip. This one is a Sport FWD model. Has 60000K on it, 98% are highway miles. Front end is "shot".....needs new struts and ball joints. You should hear and feel the thing ride. Its horrible and obvious to anyone. Dealer refuses to even acknowledge this.My own mechanic (who is known in town as GOOD and trustworthy!) gave me the bad news. Thats it.....I am going out to buy Japanese...Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey. They lost a loyal customer - who isnt stupid.
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Sounds like a bird - 2006 Dodge Caravan
By sad - June 14 - 6:44 amI got this van in November it had 6 miles on it. Brand new! And the bird noise started then. I thought it was just the newness and would stop after I drove it a while. But, it didnt. Ive had it in the shop just about every month. They have replaced the belt and have put on a new pully, they even used duck tape (that worked for a while..longer than anything). I dont like the looks from people as I drive down the road. I do like my van I just dont want the noise. Its going back to the dealer today to see what they think. Id like to know if anyone else has had this problem.
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Not a good experience this time around - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
By Reliability Issues - June 12 - 8:53 pmHad this van for about four years now, had a lot of trouble in the beginning with small things like the rear htch opening at will. Since the waranty ran out we are having trouble with the transmision (shifting back and forth between gears as you accelerate) water pump has gone, front end is loose and makes strange noises - I suspect the ball joints are shot, transmission hose broke and dumped transmission fluid all over road. Engine is loosing oil like crazy. Does not seem to be leaking so I can only assume that it is burning oil. This is my third Dodge Van... first two were good but this one has had problem after problem. I suspect I will not buy another Dodge van
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Dodge product stinks - 1999 Dodge Durango
By DontGet Suckered - June 1 - 10:00 amAt first it was love. Now I cant get a divorce fast enough! Rusted window trim replaced (after a fight with dealer) @ 32k. Head gasket and PCM replaced @ 45k, Pinion Bearing replaced @ 55k and needs it again @ 64k along with another PCM. Rear end sounds like an leectric mixer. Dodge wont offer any help. Vehicle has been serviced regularly based on owners manual. The way I was treated @ the dealership bordered on criminal, the manager offered to help me push it off their lot, said it was a "Dodge" problem, not theirs. NEVER AGAIN, DODGE, GOT THAT. Customer satisfaction must not matter...Dodge has pushed me to the foreign market, their loss.
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