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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  POS from the beginning - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By John Jones - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle has had transmission problems and engine problems since it was purchased in April of 1999. I had it into the dealership multiple times to get it fixed and still have yet to get the issue resilved. Everytime I take it in for service, something else needs replaced or fixed and must be ordered.

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  I wouldnt buy it again - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Coloradoan - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the van for 7 months now, have had it in the shop 3 times. I need to take it back again for the airbag light coming on this will be the second time for this problem). Everything from the throttle position sensor, airbag light coming on, to the check engine light coming on and the van dying out when warming it up. Had the brakes lock up a couple of times when stopping normally too. I would avoid this vehicle. My neighbor had some of the same problems with the Dodge Dakota pickup truck too, so it seems to run in the Dodge family.

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  BUYER BEWARE! - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dissatisfied - June 11 - 2:00 am

  This has proved to be the WORST vehichle I have ever owned. I have had to rebuild the transmission, replace the fuel pump, water pump,and battery. That was all within two months of buying the van, when it was 4 years old and only had 54,000 miles. Now I am faced with a bad A/C, a squaling powersteering pump, and a leaking gas tank. What ever you do, protect yourself and do not let someone inflict one of these vehicles on you or your family!

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  problems to be expected - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By chickie - June 11 - 2:00 am

  At 58,000 miles, I spent $2500 on getting the whole rear end replaced. All rear axle bearings,differential, trac lock assembly, etc. had to be replaced. The ABS light was diagnosed 3xs (at my expence)as incorrect programming. Until finally the diagnosis was a 560.00$ anti lock brake controller which is on national back order. Think they will do a recall? Ha. Strange thing is that our 97 Dakota has the same problem. Hmmm. Another consistency with our 2 Dodge vehicles is the evaporator pads for the A/C went (only 24K miles on the Dakota). Cost to replace, only an additional $900.00.

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  not good - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By wendy - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I will not buy any dodge or crysler vehicle.

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  Good, Bad, Ugly - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By nydriver202 - June 8 - 2:33 am

  Drove this vehicle for over a week. 2006 Odyssey was in the body shop. Observations: The Good: Decent acceleration, quiet ride on highway, easy parking maneuverability. The Bad: Severe oversteer on highway, unstable above 50 mph. Heating controls hard to use, knobs very small. Fit and finish of body and interior poor. Rear wiper too small. Steering wheel controls for radio on back of steering wheel. The Ugly: From the rear the van looks like a box truck. Too much black plastic on exterior. Latches flimsy. Interior styling-dash ugly, seat material feels like vinyl. Plastic, plastic everywhere. Grey interior many different shades, front pillar covering white! Was glad to get my Odyssey back.

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  Die NEON Die!!!!! - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By OCO13 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I do not recommend this vehicle. I have had nothing but problems. It has blown two head gaskets and the head gasket is leaking again, which is a costly repair might I add. It runs poor, and drives horrilbe.

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  shoulda bought a ford - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By nkcmetro - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my neon new 4yrs ago. i liked it tell 15000mi when the struts whent bad.from 15000mi to 38000mi I have replace the following headgasket,1000$ in machine work, head, lifters, rings, pistons, oil pump, timming belt, rotors, fuelpump, ecu, ing. system, inst. cluster, torque converter, and last but not least the wiper motor. the piece still needs a blower motor and window cranks. dodge sold me a piece of crap, they know it and dont care. I HATE DODGE!

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  Not so sure yet - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By not sure yet - May 26 - 11:40 am

  We have two sets of twins and the stow and go and power doors have been wonderful for us. However it is a necessity in our lives for reliability. Recently the van has been making noises and we decided to use our $3,000 extendend warranty and found that it has a $100.00 deductible each time you use it. It would have been nice to know that beforehand, and with all the noices it is making I am a little worried that the steering is going out. My friend has a Kia Sedona and loves it and it has lasted a long time with no repair needed, probably a better fit than the Dodge. I guess the old saying you get what you pay for rings true here.

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  Burned Again - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Mr. Mini Van - May 23 - 2:00 am

  I was one of the people who got burned by the bad transmissions on the mini vans a few years back. Hearing that the problem was fixed I went back to Dodge and after 4 years (just after warranty lapsed) I now need a valve job. Fool me once "Shame on you". Fool me twice "Shame on me". Fool me three times .... NOT A CHANCE!