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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  This is the worst vehicle - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Sickofitinnc - September 29 - 2:00 am

  First of all the air bag light should not keep coming on - took it in 8 times and they finally fixed it. Now makes a terrible noise when idling - has cut off on me once and hesitates after cranking. Do not buy this car - I agree an expensive mistake!

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  In for a Bumpy ride - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Helpme - September 8 - 9:59 pm

  I bought this 2009 Journey, from Carl Gregory in Columbus, Ga. That was my first mistake! I have 26,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop numerous times. All the plastic glove compartments, visors, back speakers have been replaced. Now I had my front brakes replaced, rotors rotated front tires replaced and I still have severe vibrations in steering wheel, especially when braking, the whole front end vibrates. I just put about $700 in the past 3 months. I owe too much to trade it in. I guess i will have to get a lawyer again, but this will be the last dodge I will ever own! Avoid the Journey if you are smart..

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  Never Again - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Lori - August 20 - 2:52 pm

  Bought our lemon 1 yr ago. Problems started right away. Passenger window works when it wants to. Visor covers fell off. Windows go down by themselves. Replaced brakes, rotors & tires at 30,000. Car runs with no lights, air and radio. Had radio replaced. CDs would not eject. Electrical issue too many to mention. Losing power constantly. Hesitating when you pull out from stop sign, very dangerous! But to date our biggest issue with the vehicle is our paint is gone on both sides of the vehicle near bottom of back doors. We are down to bare metal. In fact it is rusting at this point. We are told its an environmental problem and its not covered. Huge chips of paint coming off the car. NEVER AGAIN

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  Poor Ride - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Gill - August 6 - 8:53 pm

  I wish I would have bought something else. The gas mileage is terrible for this size car. I get about 24-28 mpg when the information I had said 33 mpg. I have only 36,500 miles on it and it has a terrible suspension noise and will need to go in shop next week. I have already told several people who asked me if I liked this car "DO NOT BUY THIS CAR”. The seating is comfortable for me but the interior is very awkward in its layout, everything is very tight. The car is OK for its exterior styling but the sheet metal is very thin. If you close the door with the window open it feels like the door is going to ripe off the hinges The CVT transmission makes odd sounds in slow traffic.

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  Horrible - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Rich - July 27 - 2:51 pm

  Pretty sure I got a lemon. Ever since Ive had the thing something stays wrong with it, and every time I go to get something fixed its never fixed right the first time, no matter who the mechanic is, just an all around poor experience. Ill never do Dodge again. After 90,000 miles heres what has failed: Window gears broke leaking main seal leaking differential seal Both control arms replaced Throttle body problems(not sure what but cost me $1300 to fix, some sort of valve) ALL windows leak including windshield Transmission slips O2 sensors went out ECM failed Stabilizer bar joints worn out b/c seals failed Warped wheel bearing.

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  Dont buy one - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By CAM - July 6 - 11:35 am

  Worst car I have ever purchased. The car eats batteries and tires, burns a quart or so of oil every month. Replaced the tube that goes into the gas tank, rusted through. Motor on the power window on drivers side had to be replaced, sun roof sticks so you have to push it up to open it while holding the button down. Clear coat on the car is turning white so now I have a black car with big white spots on it. Turning radius? There is none, a semi is easier to turn. The front end needs work constantly & I drive like an old lady. The front end is so low to the ground it constantly bottoms out entering & exiting drives, parking lots, etc. Horrible traction in snow or rain.

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  stick with ford or toyota - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By theduke - May 11 - 8:11 pm

  that was the worst 1000$ ive ever spent. this is the worst driving truck ive ever owned. it skips in reverse or 4L. it seems to be one problem after another, and i plan to sale this truck and get a 90s model F150 or a 86-89 toyota 4x4. i will never buy another dodge.

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  bad luck nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By david - May 5 - 4:37 pm

  I bought my 2007 Dodge Nitro brand new and put lots of miles fast! At about 50,000 miles the interior started breaking window controls, door handles, and now the back seat. I would never buy another! Ever!

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  THIS CAR IS BAD - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By kate - January 16 - 11:52 am

  Lets put it this way... the value depreciation on this car is a joke.... I bought the car a year ago for 10 grand.... now... its worth 4 at the most IF its in excellent condition... which ofcourse its not because these cars fall apart easily. And now im stuck paying 215 bucks a month for a car that I hate. I cant get rid of it.... id be throwing away 6 grand. My last car was a 1998 honda civic coupe and i hardly had to fix anything on that car. AND it was 6 years older then my neon... But somehow i am constantly throwing down more money just to keep this p.o.s. running. NEVER BUY THIS CAR!!!! I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME THIS A YEAR AGO!!! I OFFICIALLY HATE DODGE!

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  pure junk - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By john-d - January 1 - 1:38 pm

  tranny problems...underpowered..wiring problems,constant motor noises, almost no get and go , overall a junk made van , after owning a ford wind-star this van is far from the quality of the ford