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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  first owned dodge car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By ssgdtcas - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I really like the quiet, smooth ride the Intrepid SE offers. You press the gas pedal and the car responds well. So far the only draw back is the hood. Its a bit hard to judge where the front bumper is. The interior is comfortable, and since Im tall, I have plenty of head and leg room. Overall Im quite pleased, so far. Time will tell.

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  Excellent - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By cterry - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with this truck. Use it daily for a country paper route of 79 miles per morning and love the gas mileage. Also use it for my small farm. Will tale 28 bales of hay and 1,000 pounds of cattle feed with no problems but have been told I need to get heavier duty shock absorbers for the cattle feed by my mechanic. Handles very nicely.

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  So far so good - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Sullivan - January 25 - 2:00 am

  At this point and with limited miles, I have only one complaint. The mileage has not imporved since the day I drove it off the lot. 12/13 mpg local and 14/15 highway. I do have the 5.9 V-8 in a 4X4 but I feel this is still quite low.

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  Great Car, With One Issue - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Ben - January 24 - 8:13 am

  I just bought this car just a few weeks ago for my son, he loves it and so do i. it has a great exterior and interior, and runs great too. However as soon as we got it home the brakes or brake pedal squeaks. It is very annoying but the dealership said they would try to fix it so i can only hope. Overall this is a great car and i would recommend it to anyone

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  94 Dakota SLT V8 - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By BJCjr - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle has been extremely reliable since buying new. Chrysler repainted vehicle due to paint peeling after warranty expired, but had to work through dealer and regional rep to get it completed. Gas Gauge sending unit has been replaced 4 times, still doesnt work sometimes, A/C wont hold charge, Chrysler cant find problem. Radiator leaked less than 2 years after owning, finally replaced after 6 years.

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  Beware - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Help from Paradise - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought for dbl sliding doors and integrated child seats which no other minivan had in 1996. Mechanical features like 3 speed trans, 14" wheels, no std ABS, no power windows except on high end models were below adequate. But, for intended use of kids to school and games <6,000 mi/yr it was doable. Vehicle has been maintenance nightmare: transmission $1,200@ 40K, electrical and engine problems, locks failed, rear door gas struts failed, ... Not only does it need many parts, they are expensive (ex fuel injectors, fuel pump) and this is before they were Mercedes parts. Will never buy another Chrysler no matter how long they increase the warranty.

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  worst car I have ever owned - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By miss smith - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Be careful, these cars will screw you over. We thought it was a good car, until the engine went bad at 70,000 miles, the heating fan went out at 50,000, the struts went bad, the electric windows wouldnt work anymore, tape player doesnt work.... Need I say more. Piece of crap, and I am not the only one to say so. Watch out! Weve been stung. Bad resale value also.

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  03 R/T Coupe - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By StratusOwner - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I love my stratus. It looks great, rides great, and there are so many aftermarket modifications available due to its common engine with the sebring and eclipse.

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  Ready and Refined - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Dappers - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This truck is ideal if you just cant decide if you want a rough and ready off roader or a polite and refined comfort car. The Durango SLT Plus is extremely comfortable with many luxury features such as heated leather seats. Comfortably seats a family of seven. Off road its strong, agile, and easy to drive. If you lift it a few inches and add larger wheels, its a great rock climber. Its quiet, smooth, and easy on the freeway.

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  Dodge Quad Cab 5.7 8cyl - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Bryan Orange Park - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyd the truck as a hole , but worried about the upper ball joint problem, I have taken it to the deal and of course they find nothing wrong , but there is a popping sound when i turn the wheel, I see future problems in that area for Dodge. I only drive about 9,000 miles a year.