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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  Get a Toyota Tundra - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By gcsupraman - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I think this has to be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life. I was going to get the Tundra but was blinded by the rebate. I paid $26000 for the truck after the rebate and I see its only worth $16,000 (private party value) I have never had a vehicle depreciate so fast. For the money ive lost - not including the $376 monthly payments for the last year (total cost of ownership) $1376 per month I could have paid a limo driver to drive me around. The truck has been in the shop 6 times in the year for clunking, check engine light and stalling. I will never ever buy another chrysler product again!

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  Disappointed - Poor Quality - Avoid - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Family of 5 - August 29 - 4:50 pm

  Second minivan for us after transmission went out on the Windstar. First problem was the automatic doors popping back open - then the brakes and new rotors at 36,000 - next the AC went out - poor gas mileage - built cheap - uncomfortable seating. Only good thing was the space and stow and go. This family of 3 kids went back to a Nissan Pathfinder. After 3 Jeeps that were lemons and now this - will never buy Dodge or Chrysler again. Buyer beware - you get what you pay for!

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  Not so good - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By madmamma - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I put a lot of milage on my Durango each year but thats no excuse for it to just rattle apart. In the last 6 months it has spent more time in the shop then on the road.

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  Worst experience - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By findlj - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Worst car Ive ever owned. Dealer would not back the warrenty. Contacted Chrylser customer support and they ended up backing the dealer. I ended up with a new van with a "bumper to bumper" warrenty that the company would not back up. I found it easier to sell the van, rather than fight with Chrysler and the dealer. Thank you Chrysler, I took your advice and bought a different van and was treated very nicely by the GM corporation and dealerships. American Honda has been very good to me, as well. Youre right, there are other cars out there.

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  Piece of junk - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By G Jacobs - August 18 - 2:00 am

  By 45000 miles I have relpace the A/C, ball joints, full set of breaks, battery, roof rack, tran repairs, sifter knob, and a list of other items to long to recount. Junk.

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  This car stinks!! - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By LTEscott - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The 99 Durango has plenty of horses to get up and go, but it has been a struggle to keep it on the road. I have had problem with the entire front suspension, the A/C, the air bag, various sensors, the engine was using oil at the rate of a quart every 800 miles, and the last thing is the transmission blew to the tune of $5000. This car only has 70,000 miles on it and I have already put close to $11,000 in repair bills. I am so upside down that I can see China!!

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  2002 dodge neon se - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By dappledachsie - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 02 neon se last feb.2002. the car has been in the shop many times for the idle and poor gas mileage and also for stalling out while driving and when you come to a complete stop. the dealer claims theres nothing wrong. id like to know if anyone else has any of these problems. please let me know. what can i do to correct this problem? thanks for your time!

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  done with dodge - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By nlpa - August 7 - 2:00 am

  Purchesed this vehicle because the deal was good. It was OK for the first 40k miles. The exhaust did not leave a month after the warranty expired. The main computer was replaced for ~$1,000 at 40k miles. The head gusket got broken at 45k miles causing damage to cylinders. The trade-in value at 45k miles was a couple hundred $$. Ended up donating this junk to charity. will never think Dodge again

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  not enough room - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By guglielmo - August 4 - 4:00 pm

  there is nor room in the second row of seating at all the gas mileage is very poor the braking system is the worst my brakes make noise and the dealer tells me that is normal

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  Loved it/ Now Hate it - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By tr2 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Loved this SUV for 4 years except for having to replace the window motors 3 times. Then it hit 70,000 m. Its been in the shop 4 times in 2 months. Now spent over $4,800 in repairs in the last 2 months. First the wiper motors and fuel pump. Then a rebuild of the transmission. Replacement of parts in the exhaust system that failed. Numerous other minor repairs. Looking at another $1,500 to fix the ABS system. Now hear theres problems with ball joints. This is ridiculous. All previous cars I owned (not Chryslers) stayed in good condition 10 years each. I am never getting another Chrysler product.