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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  Buy another SUV - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Dean P. Cook - August 2 - 2:30 pm

  Dont be fooled by the cool looks of the Nitro! Ive had problems from day 1. First of all the radio stopped working so the dealership replaced it then they replaced it again. Then the check engine light came on, I had it in 4 times before they finally fixed that. The transmission slips, they say this is due to needed download that Chrysler hasnt developed yet. I also have a water leak that two dealerships cant find. Now I drive around with 2 inches of water in the passenger floor pan, the interior stinks and the carpeting is ruined. Now Im in arbetration to have Chrysler buy this lemon back. I have never been so dissapointed with a new vehicle purchase ever. DONT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP!

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  Made in Mexico - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Rasko - July 26 - 4:50 am

  My Journey has less than 2000 miles and it already has been to the dealership to get serviced for a broken left visor, my drivers side of the dashboard makes noise and my MPG is 12, my rear bumper on the drivers side is not even like the passenger side. This car is a true lemon please dont buy it, is my first American and my last one.

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  Where is the Junk Yard??? - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Junk Driver - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Lets see, where to start= 1 month old, the car had an interior water leak coming in from the underbodys drainage system (not found until 7 visits to the dealer and 2 years later) 3 years old, leaks engine coolant, told I need a new radiator 4 years old, head gasket needs replacing, power doorlocks no longer function Also had oil leaks in 3 other places!!! After my 60,000 mile service, it now runs worse than ever! My engine light even came on (at least I know that works)

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  Worst car I have ever oned - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By fred01 - July 25 - 3:40 am

  With less than 70k on it I have replaced the auto sliding doors three times and the transmission twice. It is a terrible van. If you have the ac on it guzzles gas like a college student hitting the beer bong. Spend the extra money and get a Honda.

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  I agree - WORST CAR EVER MADE - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By earmenta - July 25 - 2:00 am

  DO NOT buy this car, its a piece of junk! My husband bought it in 1999, and its been nothing but problems. We now have a car that is worthless because it has more damage than its even worth. It now has a cracked head gasket and cylinder, the AC was gone a couple of years ago, weve had muffler problems, belt problems, power windows went out and do not even shut properly, you name it! Now were stuck trying to get another car with no trade-in (the dealers wont even give us 50 bucks for it!). We have paid more to have this car fixed than its even worth, and now there is another $2,000+ in damage on it! I will never buy a Dodge again.

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  Get Rid of it before you hit 90K - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By disposableneon - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Head Gasket blew Chysler only paid half and it was like pulling teeth to get them to pay. A/C compressor and evaporator blew at the same time over 1000 dollars to fix. Wont do it since the car isnt worth that much. Sensors for gas gauge bad. Windows when open have water pour in when it rains had to put on vent shades.

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  dont buy this one - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By nywoman77 - July 19 - 4:30 pm

  All I can say is dont ever buy a dodge journey. I have had the worst experience with this car. Its been in the shop four times and Im still having problems. Check engine light has come on three times. The wire harness in my engine has been repaired. Ive had three O2 sensors replaced and Ive had continuous transmission problems that Chrysler engineers are supposedly working on. I got a lemon. I hate my vehicle. Dont buy dodge!

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  Please do not buy this car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By :( - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Ok, first off dont buy this car. But, if you really want to dont say I didnt warn you. This was my first car so I didnt know what I was getting into but it was a nightmare! Ive put more money into repairs than Ive spent on it!

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  Nothing but trouble - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By notadodgefan - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car second hand from a dealership in 1998. It had 34,000 miles and Ive put 38,000 on it. In the last 3 years the car has not ran properly for more than 2 consecutive months due to some electrical problem nobody (dealerships and licensed mechanics) seems to be able to find.

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  The noen that has oil leak - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By chad utz - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The paint is pealing off the body after 30,000 miles. The head gasket leaks the compnay know it but will not help you to fix it.