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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  Severe Braking And Engineering flaws - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike - November 16 - 9:34 am

  This vehicle has sever braking issues which is a direct cause of poor engineering. Chrylser still has no resolution to this problem as of yet. There are dozens and dozens of documented cases of the same problems with most or all of the 05 models. Until something is done to remedy this, and the transmission problems, and the engine idle problems, and the airbag issues, I would NOT suggest that anyone buy one of these trucks. The consumer is getting screwed big time with this truck. And take this from a die hard Mopar nut, who owns 8 Chrylser products. I STRONGLY discourage ANYONE from buying this truck.

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  Stay Away - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By not happy - November 13 - 2:09 am

  DonÂ’t buy this truck. This is the worst SUV! I am a big Dodge nut but this is my last Dodge! I had a 2001 quad cab Dakota better then this thing and a 95 Dodge Avenger. All brand new. Very cheap interior and poor design. I had check engine light on and throttle light. Radio will not respond to from time to time. Rotors are warped! This truck is well maintained, better than new! Only have 15000 miles on it. If you want an SUV, look somewhere else.

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  Finally Rid of this Lemon - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Nellie03 - November 10 - 12:21 pm

  I cant imagine owning another Dodge. The transmission went out as soon as the warranty did. Ive gone through more ball joints and wheel bearings than gallons of gas it seems! Wiper fluid pump went out at 100,000. Exhaust leaked at 75K. Power Locks went out. Nothing but trouble, but is that really a surpise coming from Dodge? If its not a Hemi, its junk...

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  Its Growing on Me - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By altarofego - November 6 - 9:50 am

  This car is a good commuter car. I bought it because it seems the car best balancing gas mileage and interior space. Im on the tall side at 64". It is slow and handles poorly when pressed, but I dont dirve that way. The tubing covering the break lines has dropped down 4 times and the dealer does not seem to have a solution. I had to fix it. The steering wheel controls for the radio/cd player have a mind of their own. The left button that should change the stations only does that occasionally. Mostly it lowers or raises the volume randomly. I no longer us it. I dont know that Id buy this one again, but Im not terribly dissatisfied either.

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  Brakes, check engine - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By BC - November 3 - 7:26 pm

  1 of only a few manual Calibers. Had to return to dealer many times 5+ for check engine light. Bad software which was a big topic in Detroit as #2 o2 sensor was slow to respond. Finally have that fixed and brake rotors are severely warped. Sorry, warranty only good to 12000 miles. Hope some aftermarket co. soon makes good rotors!

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  I dont know - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By massachubbs - October 23 - 12:52 am

  The Neon is not a great car, however, for cheap transportation you cant beat it. Really, you cant beat it or it will break. but once you get used to the poor acceleration, which is a lack of low end torque, its an alright car to drive because it handles amazingly well. If you like to zig-zag in traffic, this car can be fun. The brake are kind of crappy, so watch out. And the car, not just as a domestic but rather as a Dodge, tends to break down a lot. I got the sport and blew a water pump as soon as I got it. Now the brain and the fuel pump have gone out, and its really not worth the fix. Good luck and God bless.

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  God help us all - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By milent - October 19 - 10:57 pm

  I bought this car less than two years ago with 30k on it and as soon as I reached 36k and my warranty expired, this car was nothing but a pain. It leaks, had to replace radiator, transmission went bad at 52K. It became increasingly noisy. It goes fine when alone in it, but two more people get in and it seems like it is pulling the trailer. It is relatively cheap. I say relatively because you are going to spend a lot on repairs. never gonna buy another.

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  Always a mechanical problem - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By dodgeowner - October 19 - 12:20 am

  Weve had this car for 5 years and there has always been some mechanical problem that just wont go away or is easy to fix: faulty fuel pump (was replaced under warranty and still faulty) CV joint broken blown head gasket in 2004not as quiet to road noise as before some interior light features broken power lock doors from key entry never worked speaker system wires faulty radio control panel difficult size to replace with new system for home repairs, the parts are all not easily accessible at all.

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  Looks aint everything - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By CYA Dodge - October 13 - 2:00 am

  The exterior body has held up well to the salt and grime of Chicago winters. But, too many irritating flaws to consider purchasing this model again. Casper the ghost operates the wipers for no reason. Transmission was replaced at 75K (Chrysler did share the expense leaving me with $200 deductible). A/C blew air...sometimes it was actually cold.

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  Love the way it handles - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By E Stewart - October 9 - 2:28 pm

  Great overall vehicle. Not too wild about the looks but it drives like a champ. Handles easy, very fun to drive, with plenty of room for everyone. Has been an extremely reliable vehicle but I hear unexplained noises from time to time. I would highly recommend vehicle.