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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  Crappy Service + Crappy R/T= Hell - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Ohgodjimmy - July 19 - 2:00 am

  At about 7500 miles it misses a shift at redline and the engine does the cutoff routine. I take it into Suburban Chryser (Saint Paul, MN) to be looked at "for missing a shift at redline". The dealer has it all day, puts about 150 miles on it and tells me this is normal operation. B.S. I complain to Chrysler corp. they tell me to take it to another dealer. I have never owned a car with an automatic that doesnt shift at redline. Last dodge I will ever own. Very Incompetent people at Suburban Chrysler in Saint Paul, MN

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  Lemon - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Brandon - July 11 - 10:38 am

  This truck has given me trouble from day one, literally! It is a beautiful truck, but has had extensive computer, power steering, transmission, and recently, parking brake issues. Chrysler is not standing behind this truck, and the computer problem cannot be completely fixed, as I am still experiencing the same problems and 13- 14mpg all around...sounds good for a little 3.7L engine, huh? Needless to say, I will never buy another Chrysler product again. Neither will my Dodge-owning family, in which there has been a total of 11 new Dodge products owned. Thanks Chrysler!!

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  Reliable...but falling apart - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By David James C - July 7 - 10:52 am

  The Avenger was the pick for my ex - and I got stuck with it, while she took the new RAV 4. Smart. The Avenger is reliable, always starting, but acceleration and performance seems to decrease year after year. I put oversided fat tires on it, and it looks and handles very well . The seating is very uncomfortable and the electric fore/aft died, but the cabin still looks good. CD function died, but the premium sound system is still good. The tranny seems to be going now. Front end was replaced by the previous owner. A/C died, holds vacuum, but cannot find leak after recharging three times. The next day its dead. See a trend here? Time to sell it while it still looks good.

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  Dont forget your wallet on trips - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By not a fan - July 7 - 12:21 am

  I like the fact that this car has never left me stranded, but I only get 11 MPG in town and 15 MPG on the highway! My keyless entry only works when it wants to, and my security alarm goes off even when its parked in the garage for no apparent reason! My biggest complaint though is the gas mileage. Its very poor. I could understand if I were pulling a trailer, but not just cruising down the highway.

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  Reliability Nightmare - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mel Farnaby - July 6 - 6:11 pm

  This is my second Durango from the same dealer. My first one was returned and replaced due to excessive water leaks that the dealer was unable to fix. My new 05 SLT with Hemi has now had three fuel pumps on it and a new gas tank, and I am extremely dissatisfied and wonder where and when it is going to leave me on the side of the road again. This vehicle has less than 5,000 miles on it and has been in and out of the dealership since I leased it. I wish Dodge would face up to the fact that they have a problem and take steps to rectify.

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  Get the Bugs Out - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By aurora4u - July 5 - 2:34 pm

  I like the truck, but it has had a problem with the instrument cluster. No speedometer, the air bag light goes on, and the ABS light goes on. It does not keep codes if you turn off the engine, and you must take to shop for a quick scan. It is in shop today. This is the 13th day at the dealer since I bought it. It could use more head room. I am 64", and if the seat is not set right, the roll over bar is on your head. I do love the color Patriot Blue Pearl coat. I guess that is why I bought it. This was the very first one the dealer had. I should have waited for a review before I bought.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By chris - July 3 - 1:36 am

  Was very excited about buying this car but now have been let down have had the brakes done 3 times at 48,000 and they tell me its the way I drive. Both visor mirror covers broke off. Passenger window needed to be fixed 3 times. Diver door needed paint because the tape was peeling off. Had to have it brought in because the car would start but no lights, radio, or signals would work. And never mind bringing it in for the recalls. Will never buy Dodge again

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  Death trap! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By dmsmith - June 24 - 11:30 am

  I have had this car for a year and 4 months. I let my 19 year old daughter drive it to Florida. While there she was in a minor fender bender. Minor for the person she hit. Major for the damage that was caused to my car. She hit the rear of a 2001 Saturn scratched the bumper. My car had a bumper frame (not the bumper cover) that was pushed into the radiator then into the condenser fan this was a 25 mph hit no airbags deployed. I hate to think how this car would have performed in a more serious accident I cannot wait to get rid of this car not impressed with it before this happened. Also FYI parts are ridiculous. I wish we had just let her take her jeep with a bad tire it would have been safer.

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  1999 Grand Caravan Sport - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Walker - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Initially we loved this vehicle. It performed well and was an excellent family hauler and trust me, we have a clan to move! Over the past year we have experienced several problems including the drive belt tensioner, having to replace the front brakes twice in 13,000 miles, needing new front brake rotors, exhaust sensor replacement and speedometer sensor replacement. A little too much to swallow in such a short period of time. Our perception is that the vehicle is falling apart after just a few years of use. We are ready to jump ship and move to a new, different brand vehicle.

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  Nice truck - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By p_s_xpress - June 13 - 6:23 pm

  I bought this truck because of the design and size, not too big, not too small. Has been a reliable truck, a few repairs here and there, but no major repairs other than a clockspring replacement in the steering wheel.