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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  A lemon of all lemons - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By thedoctor - July 8 - 2:00 am

  now up to 85,000 miles used for a sales vehicle. Three Power Steering Pumps..#3 now needs replacing. Front end rack completely worn out and needs replacement. Dealer refused to replace PS pump even though it has been a problem since new. Front end problems surfaced after 30k...never fully diagnosed...has gotten worse as the mileage increases. Weird wind/noise problem on widshield at speeds around 60. Anyone over 6ft tall cannot sit on passenger front side with storage compartment under seat. Small changes in road surface causes loud knocking sounds in front end. Power door locks replaced twice.

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  Dodge Caravan - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Annaq - July 5 - 2:00 am

  Have had a Caravan 4 cyl. for 2 1/2 years. At this point major mechanical problems. Ranging from front end work, transmission, computer cluster in gear selector and the sending unit in the gas tank. Before the 2 1/2 year mark, had no problems before then.

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  I Regret Buying this car more than anything. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By antonio - July 3 - 2:35 pm

  This car is the worst decision Ive ever made. The repairs on the car cost more than the actual car. This is my first car and i now im scared to go anywhere because i am afraid that ill get stuck there. The engine, sensors, axis, cumputer, fuse box and breaks all of them were shady. I hate this car take my advice and dont get it. I promise youll regret it.

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  Dodge should be ashamed of themselves - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By recallheadgasket55 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought new in 9/97 but needed to be serviced often. Major engine trouble early on. Dodge did pick up some of the cost of the repairs after the warranty expired but only after I complained. Even with following the suggested routine maintenace the car should have lasted more than 77k. This car was traded in after the dealer recommended replacing the motor.

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  El Junk Mobile - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By sam t - July 1 - 2:00 am

  The Stratus was my dads first car. At about 3-,--- miles it needed a new head gasket, needed another head gasket at 66,000. nearly everything started needing replacement at 60,000. It is noisy. We had the 2.4l and it only got 20city/29 high. thats pretty bad. There is a lot of torque in the engine and so so horsepower, 150 to be exact. The catalytic converter went bad at 66,000. steering column and wheel bearings needed replacement at around 64,000. iterior plastics were hard and cheap. steering wheel vibrated when idling.

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  Nice Appliance - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Craig - June 29 - 1:53 pm

  This is really a great appliance. Have had the van since new and pushing toward 100,000 miles. Very few problems. This is our 4th Chrysler van and we can see the improvements from the tie up with Daimler. More solid feel to interior. Weak points are brakes and tranny. But if you stay on top of maintenance, theyll get you by.

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  Its just "OK" - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Countess - June 27 - 2:00 am

  at 34,000 miles the Cruise control had a problem that caused the rpms to go above 3000mph when sitting Idol. The car would try to move forward with my foot on the break. The car dealership had to replace the cruise control. Also at about 35,000 miles the air compressor stopped working and caused the fan belt to break while I was driving. I lost Air conditioning and to fix the belt and compressor it cost $1200.00 at the Dodge dealership. The car is big and comfortable but I would not buy another Intrepid.

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  ehh. - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By diggit616 - June 26 - 2:00 am

  This has not been my favorite car but it has done exactly what I needed it to do. No more, no less. It has had its share of problems though. Drivers window has never worked right, HEAD GASKET, A/C, radio, left blinker turns on when you brake, wears front tires uneven, door panel broke,... At this point I am just glad it still starts and that is one thing it has always done, start. It may not be the best car I have ever had but it gets me to where I need to go. Great car for new drivers and collage kids. Just dont fool yourself into thinking you wont have any problems with it. Neon quality is an extinct dinosaur.

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  typical low end vehicle - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By horselover - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I would not recommend this car to anyone that does not want to do car repairs. My main master seal went out, my head gasket went out Transmission was getting ready to go out when I finally sold the car. I had no problems with the car until it hit 60,000 miles before that point it was a great car.

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  Too many problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By BKATE1981 - June 21 - 3:16 am

  Loved this car the first year I had it, especially the adapter to plug my Ipod into. After a year, the radiator cap had to be replaced (car overheated). After 25,000 miles on tires- had to replace all tires because 3 out of 4 tires were out of allignment and inside tread was worn. Now, at 44,000 miles, Adaoter hose is leaking, car over heated like before, and fluid is leaking. conveniently out of warranty, this will cost me $485 to fixt ($120 of it to flush the fluid I had to put in the car to get myself unstranded, may have cost less to get a tow). This car also doesnt get as good as milage as it claims, and the tank is too small, still many trips to the gas station.