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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  Disappointed - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Disappointed in SD - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Within 2 years things just started to go wrong: wind noise in the drivers side, which after many attempts it is still not fixed. The wipers go on without anyone touching anything (like there is a ghost). Same thing with the cruise control. The latest is a gas leakeage in the a/c system that will cost $1,200 to fix. Its been one problem after the other. I will never again purchase a Dodge product. To add insult to injury even though I had tried to get the wind noise repaired at the dealer many times during the warranty period and they were not able to fix it, once the warranty expired Dodge pretty much said it was out of their hands!

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  Dont buy it - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Thom Bollinger - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Spent much in repairs: head gasket, EGR valve, radio works from time to time, heater cuts off after half hour of use, door windows not secure in door and are now scratched, seat stitching separated after two years.

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  Buyer Beware - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By NeonPOOR - June 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is a money pit. I used to love it...before two head gaskets, The latest todat to the tune of 1,000 dollars. Two weeks ago I put in $400. As I bought this as a year old rental...I have to wonder what they di to it. AC has been repaired. New brake system (FYI the breaks squeal on all models for this year) Cant get the dome light to turn off. Just found out that the uneven tire wear is a problem many others have had. A new set of tires every year because of inside wear. Ticking sound in dash. Stopping in intersections (Had to put in a new cable from the battery to alternator to solve that problem.)

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  Dodge Caravan - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Brandon Defenbuagh - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Van less than a year. Has been in the shop 3 times. Fuel injector, Spark plug and wire, and transmission pump have been replaced. Overall I would say not to buy one. Go with a honda or Toyota.

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  Brake Callipers, Transmission - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By herekittykitty - June 20 - 10:02 pm

  At 34,000 km, needed brake servicing ie cleaning which struck me as odd and cost me. Callipers were sticking and grinding brake pads. Right rear calliper was sticking off and on for some time with a thump in releasing. Trani - thumps when shifting from 2nd to 3rd on econo mode.

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  Dont waste your money on a Dodge - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jonlynn - May 31 - 7:40 pm

  I did a lot of research prior to buying my minivan. Somehow this thing came up good. I shoudve trusted my instinct and walked away from the dealer. No wonder Chrysler is going under. Like everyone else: 16k- new brakes and again at 31k! I finally did not go to a dealer and found a great mechanic who said Dodge is notorious for it. Chrysler does not stand behind its product. It has been in for TSBs about 5 times. No good when we tote kids. I sunk a lot of money into this thing and I wish it would sink into mud and never be seen again. The only good thing: sto and go is great, it is pretty comfortable, gas mileage not too bad. If I werent so much into debt in it, I would trade it in!

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  Dont Buy a Neon!!! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By dalandra - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car since 1999, and I am very disappointed in it. I have had to replace the brakes, shocks, struts, rotors, strut mounts, and numerous other parts. Its constantly leaking and now the transmission is starting to go. Also my vents dont work properly and the defrost doesnt work. My paint started peeling six months after I bought it. This seems to be a problem with many Neons. They are also very, very bad in snow, and slide and get stuck very easily. Several of my friends have Neons and they hate them too. I regret buying my car and I am now in the process of buying a new one. DONT BUY A NEON, you will regret it.

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  Mistake! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By VTmom - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 96 Caravan new. It was a great van UNTIL it hit 50,000 miles and the warranty expired. Then everything that can go wrong with a vehicle has gone wrong. I am afraid to drive it because it is so unreliable. After having it die on my 3 times (once when I was over 8 months pregnant), I refuse to drive this thing. Daimler chrysler could not care less. The warranty has expired so we are on our own. We have now put so much money into the van we cant afford to get rid of it. We cant stop kicking ourselves for keeping it though. We will NEVER own another Dodge vehicle.

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  Dont buy one!!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By big mistake - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Ran great until the warranty expired. Worst vehicle I have ever owned. Problems with pininging on acceleration. Transmission problems. Broken torsion bar mount. Currently in the shop due to axle problems. This truck is a 4X4 with skid plates, but has never been driven off pavement. I have put every mile on myself so I know it hasnt been driven hard. The dealership is terrible to deal with. Constanlty hear from them that they cant duplicate the problem or that they can not hear what Im talking about. Have basically told me that Im stupid. Will never buy another Durango and will never buy another Chrysler product. Im going back to Ford!!

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  PEICE OF JUNK!!!!! - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By TDBoy - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Within the first two years I had to visit the shop about a dozen times for repairs that shouldnt have to be done on a new car. It vibrates too much, engine surges, slips gears, the auto sunroof broke, engine mounts had to be replaced, gearshift doesnt disengage sometimes when brake is pressed. Would you like me to go on. If I could figure out a way to drive it off a cliff, I would. Stay away from ALL DODGE PRODUCTS< THEY SUCK!!!!!!