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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  Lemon - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Scottf - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck new in 2001. repairs to date: paint peeled off wheel flares, steering column, steering rack, intermediate steering column, four ball joints, tie-rod end, front pads & rotors, computer, rear bumper(rusted out), driver seat tracks, radio. I dont think I went more than a month without a visit to a dealership. What a poor excuse for a truck.

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  high maintenance - 1992 Dodge Caravan
  By Blowngasket - October 24 - 2:00 am

  While it is a practical vehicle, there are some design flaws that have proven costly. Ive had multiple blown head gaskets (costly repair) that apparently are the result of incompatible metals used in the pistons and the cylinders. There were numerous other repairs, but the heag gasket is the back breaker. I would not recommend this vehicle or any Dodge van from the 1990s.

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  Long term Grand Caravan Sport - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Caravan - October 14 - 5:46 am

  Owned the car for 10 years now. Got us through 2 kids, friends, 20 Nascar events to Texas Motor Speedway. Car has been garage kept for 10 years, spent its whole life shuttling kids in a 10 mile radius. Just now starting to have oil leaks. Belt tensioner was fixed 2 years ago (loud-but did not effect performance or reliability) and is starting to make noise again. We have the sport, its comfortable as far as vans go. Went through 3 sets of tires in 10 years. Ignition cylinder locked out 2 times in 10 years, both times had to be dragged out of garage. Overall, a good local kid hauler for 10 years. Time for a sportier Volvo next week! Goodbye minivan!

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  dont do it - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jimmy1 - October 13 - 2:00 am

  My good friend bought a used 1999 intrepid with about 109k miles on it. With in a couple months, the engine seized up. As I look at other reviews, I am surprised the car made it as long as it did. Other things he has had problems with catalytic converter went out, problems with the electrical - there is a loose wire somewhere, and now to start the car, one of the doors has to be open. The battery is a full days job to replace, as is the alternator (you have to take off the radiator fans). After changing the battery and fixing a flat tire, we had 3 of the lug nuts come right off with the bolts. This car shouldnt have ever been put out for use by the public

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  BIGGEST mistake of my life! - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By MDS2004tg - October 10 - 2:00 am

  A truely awfule car. Bought the car at 72,000 miles. In 30,000 miles I had to have the following replaced or rebuilt: Engine, transmition-twice, starter- three times, cam berrings, inner tie rods-twice, AC-three times. Paint is peeling and the gas mileage is terrible. Instead of having a car free of worry, I drove around with a sick fear of what was going to happen next. I will never, never, never buy a Dodge again. Kelly Blue Book value of my 94 Dodge Intrepid? $223. Horrible

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  the car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By vinnyca1 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I got the car in late nov 2003 and i love it, but for a big guy its not the car you want. also the power is not there.

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  BAD EXPERIENCE - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By KIDZROCK4 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  5.9 LITER ENGINE BLEW AT 96,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING THINK IT WAS OIL PUMP FAILURE. WAS DRIVING 65MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON. REST IS STATED ABOVE. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS MISFORTUNE. THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND VEHICLE. WILL NOT ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE PRODUCT AGAIN

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  Better be a AAA member! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Lazurus - October 1 - 2:00 am

  We had several recalls which should have been warning enough. The dealership would not stand behind the warranties on the child integrated seating. Experienced electrical problems, belt tensioner issues, complete failure of brake system, and finally a catastrophic transmission failure. All before reaching 100,000 miles.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Newman - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the cheapest model I could get (4 cylinder) turned out not to be so inexpensive. Have loved the utility, design, looks, comfort, handling, sharp turning of the vehicle. It has been the worst car I have had for reliability on my third transmission, second ac system has now died, need a third water pump, etc. The fuel economy is also suprisingly poor for a 4 cylinder engine (average about 19 mpg).

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  Too many problems too soon. - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Too Frustrated - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Speed sensor went bad at 14K and 60K miles (trans doesnt shift without it). New brake pads and rotors at 20K, more brake pads at 40K and 65K, master cylider replaced at 80K -- too many brake system problems too often. Drove the van for 50K before getting worried each time it was driven. Looking forward to trading it in tonight!