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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  Major Repairs - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rich - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this van used and did not own it a year when the tipim Module went bad. (thats the electrical box that controls the car), just made a year and now both evaporators rear and front do not work. $2600 to repair at the Dodge dealer. Dodge corp. will assist with 25% of repair. i cannot afford another major repair. (DO NOT BUY THIS VAN) what to do?

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  Split Decision on this car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By BigSAC - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Its got a nice exterior look and decent accelaration for a car in its size/class. The doors feel cheap. The big problems that I experienced were reat oil seal and then a blown head gasket, around the 65-75 thousand mile timeframe. Ask any mechanic, the head gasket will blow, and while the replacement gasket is improved, it will blow also. Each of these repairs will cost $1000+.

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  Like all but Electrical Problems - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By tanksfull - June 5 - 2:00 am

  No rattles after 40000 miles and handles beautifully but the electrical system is quirky.

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  Perfect P/U! - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By flyboy1 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Watched Dakota for 10 years, waiting for AWD option. Got 4.7 SLT ExCab w/ all bells & whistles + HD suspension pack, AWD/full Time 4WD, 3.92 diff., as soon as it hit lot. Use to haul 1500# slide-in over cab pop-up camper sized for Dak. in western US in all types wx and terrain w/o a single problem! Hauls more than standard F150 or Chev 1500 + easily parks in my garage(which full size truck wont). 17mpg @70- 80mph w/o load 12 with. GREAT TRUCK!

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  Charger R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By TB - June 4 - 6:26 am

  This is my daily driver, and I run between 1,000 to 2,000 miles a month. The car drive like a dream, plenty of power in all speeds and handles well. I love this beast!

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  Purchased New In 97 - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Akbar - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1998 Dodge Stratus new. Had 2.0 eng and 5 spd. Car had head gasket changed once. At 94,000 had to changed clutch cable. Washer on end toward engine broke. Only part I had to changed that wasnt a wear and tear item. At 123,000 changed wheel bearings (front) and lower control arm drivers side at 168,000. Car now has a small oil leak at oil sensor. Dealership price is only 13.60 for new one. Will get changed soon. Did not change spark plugs and wires until car began to miss at just under 150,000. Purchased replacements from dealership! Car only got below 30 mpg just before changing plugs & wires. Usually gets between 32 to 37 MPG! Great car!

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  Had to have a Neon R/T - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Larry Hofmeister - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Loved the look of these R/Ts when they came out and had been very pleased with my 4 door Neons purchased in 1995 and 1998. Its sharp, comfortable and responsive. Good road manners even on a long drive. 5 speed is a joy to shift. My only disappointment I dont think this car is as quick as it should be, although Im not one to pound on equipment either.

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  Problems since day one!!! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By triks - June 4 - 2:00 am

  The brakes on my car have always been sqeaking since day one. It has gone through 4 diffrent sun roofs because they all stop working or get stuck. The trim on the shifter started to discolor. THE A/C is weak the CD player skips and all this before 36,000 miles can you belive this. Very poor quality and I thoght I was getting a deal on a fully loaded R/T Coupe (just headache)

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  Love my Magnum! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Sabrina - June 3 - 7:40 pm

  When the Magnum was released it was a true dream car that was affordable for me. The looks, roominess and sticker price drew me in. This sporty wagon is head and shoulders above my old 96 Intrepid. Interior is clean looking, the console is very practical and once driving the car you can feel the Mercedesness coming through, which I like! The engine compartment is very tidy and everything a consumer needs to access is easy to find. Passengers in the backseat will enjoy the roominess and the back window goes all the way down! Im satisfied with the 3.5L engines performance and the 4-wheel disc breaks do a great job of stopping this heavy car! A true value in todays market.

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  2007 Dodge Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By pcushion - June 3 - 4:56 am

  To date, there have been no problems with this car. It drives absolutely great and gets great gas mileage (30 mpg). I am seriously considering getting another one soon.