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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  Big car room with small car handling - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jimo2000 - January 31 - 9:06 pm

  Im happy with my Intrepid so far. It handles very well in turns. I have a 3.2 liter engine and thought that with 225 horsepower the car would move faster. Its enough to get on highways with but off the line it takes a little bit to get going. I also drive a 98 Altima and found that the 4 cylinder engine in that is much quicker. Weight is an issue with this car

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  Awesome Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By the_koof - January 30 - 5:02 pm

  This is my first vehicle and am approaching 190,000 miles with relatively trouble free use. Only problems so far have been the water pump giving out, dirty sensors, and the power steering pump also giving out due to an accident early in the trucks life. Other than that it has been trouble free. I absolutely love the truck and will buy another when this one gives out except I would opt for the 318 V8 as the 3.9L V6 is gutless.

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  Owned this car for nearly 10 years - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By ChipM - January 30 - 12:17 pm

  I bought this car new in 1995 and have been the only owner. Ive had an overall excellent experience with this car. Ive had to replace some belts, hoses, power steering pulley twice, battery, radiator, thermostat twice, and radio (once under warranty). All things I would expect to replace within a 10-year span on any car. I have no regrets about buying this car. Its been very good to me.

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  New to the Nitro! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By New Jersey - January 29 - 11:33 pm

  My driving experience has been fun for the first month. I received a lot of compliments on the style of the truck. I did a lot of research before I decided to lease the Nitro. Ive been told that this truck was built for me. Cant get any better compliments than that. Rides nice and handles bumps very well.

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  This car is worthless - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mygrace02 - January 29 - 10:00 pm

  We bought our journey less than a year ago..we took it in 2 wks after purchase for excessive brake dust and brakes didnt brake well. It has now been there 5 times for the brakes. They resurfaced rotors at 9000 and replaced back rotors at 12500miles. I have had it back 3 weeks and my brakes squeal and grind still. It is a horrible braking system. I have 3 children i drive in this car and absolutely do not feel safe. If I wanted this many probs. i would have bought a used car. All this not to mention it feels like it stalls when i accelerate and it always makes some horn like noise when i start it all of which they cant seem to correct. HORRIBLE CAR!!!!!

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  I loved it, when I bought it - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Les Lloyd - January 29 - 7:14 pm

  I really loved this car when I bought it, but at 61,000 miles, I believe it is going to be a service departments gold mine. Ive had the left front hub assembly replaced, it has been recalled 3 times, it has just started mis-firing when you start it up and when driving at highway speeds and the brakes are applied, the steering wheel starts shaking, I was told if the tie- rods have to be replaced, the engine has to be removed, Jeez..its time for it to go....

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  great design, poor quality - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By candy man - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has had numerous repairs from the start. Most have not affected reliability, but performance and inconvenience are at stake. Many sensors, egr valve, and frequent battery replacements have been serviced. I like the design and space but cant reccommend due to poor quality.

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  Above average - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By paul - January 28 - 9:24 pm

  We bought this car a year ago and fell in love with it. Its roomy and fun to drive. Had a few minor repairs but what do you expect with 128,000 miles? Overall not the best car Ive ever had but I would not be afraid to buy another one

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  Very good vehicle - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By charhart - January 28 - 8:56 am

  Have to say this van has been VERY reliable. Has 225,000 miles and only minor problems. Replaced alternator about a year ago. Recently the cooling fans went out causing the radiator to crack. Replaced the radiator, still havent found out whats wrong with the fans. Gas mileage got bad about a year ago. Wierd story. Used to go from east georgia to north alabama on 3/4 tank of gas. It got great gas mileage. Took it to get a routine oil change one day and when I picked it up I had to put gas in it 3 times to make it to florida. Ever since then its had the worst gas mileage. Weird? Yes. Other than that Ive had no problems with it. Very roomy, comfortable, drives great.

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  It will make you bankrupt - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By J. Gomes - January 28 - 5:37 am

  I bought a 98 Stratus ES for $6,000 in 2002 @ 79K miles. I drive about 18K miles/year. In 2003 I spent about $1,000 for fixing tie rods and stabilizer links and brakes and rotors. In the summer of 2004, I spent $3600 for fixing valves of three cylinders and changing the head gasket, distributor, timing belt, rotor, water pump etc etc etc..Now it is January of 2005 and the cars engine shakes and check engine light is on. The delearship thinks it is either two of the fuel injectors or valves again. Either way it will cost about $1,500. I am completely broke and frustrated, and in credit card debt.