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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  Nothing but trouble! - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By redbeard - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Back to dealer 8 times. Needed front brakes at 16,000 not under warranty. Also had to replace master cylinder, rear brake cylinders. Brakes still not workign right. Dealer service terrible. Now in shop at 23,000 miles needing new rack and pinion unit, front crankcase seal leaking oil, transmission needs rebuild, stereo fried, passenger door internal components for latch all need to be replaced. Its been in the shop 4 days and dealer refuses loaner because no extended warranty purchased. Never another Dodge. See www.dodgedakotas.com for info on all problems with this truck.

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  Not sure yet.. - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Erick - January 20 - 11:25 am

  So I need to ask the public a question, I recently purchased a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE plus with a 3.6 liter pentastar V-6 coupled with a 6-speed transmission. I know that the six-speed transmission has been existing for quite some time and I have seen some of the reviews with some issues pertaining to it. Recently I had it serviced for a concern that I had when placing it in reverse... after placing it in reverse easing off the brake it starts to to have a rhythmic Shake. Gets worse when it is on an uphill as if you were backing up into a driveway it is most noticeable. Now the symptoms to go away as you give it more gas it only happens as the car begins to move in reverse. I have noticed it ever so slightly when I put it into drive as Im easing off the break as well. While I was at the dealer showing the technician the symptoms he seemed just as puzzled as I was. It was disclosed to me by a service manager at this complaint has come in in the past. They went as far as bringing a brand new 2016 Caravan still with much plastic on it and the symptoms were very much present in that same vehicle. This looks to me like a design flaw or programming issue with the 6-speed transmission. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I am currently talking to the corporate office of Dodge to try to get some sort of understanding of this situation.

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  She has done well by me - 1994 Dodge Spirit
  By nikkortim - January 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Spirit with 17,600 miles on it and put on an average of 40,000 a year. I had the good transmission, but had the leaky head gasket with the 2.5 and replaced that twice. Only 1 CV joint ever went out. Its a blast to drive in town and ran well on the Interstate. With almost 250K miles and an overheating issue that I cannot resolve I have finally said goodbye to the probably one of the best cars I haved ever owned. I attribute the long life to highway miles and Castrol Syntec.

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  skullboy - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By i dont know - January 20 - 2:00 am

  it goes very fast, and its a great car.

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  snooch to the nooch - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By james naughton - January 20 - 2:00 am

  its a great car

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  Hate my 2002 caravan LOVED my 2000 - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By nomoredodge4me - January 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my second caravan, my first was a 2000 base stripped down model 3 door and I LOVED IT! Drove like a car, the quality was all over it from the seats to the engine it was well built. My 2002 SHOCKED me the quality went WAY down hill. I have had more service calls for A/C, engine and brakes and disappointment with the interior than I can tell you! Check it from head to toe if you are considering a purchase. Also, you cannot open the back with out the key...Inconvenient!! I will be trading mine for a Nissan Quest!

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  Fantastic Car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Joe Hiett - January 20 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the most reliable and fun car I have owned since the 70s. I have had absolutely no problems, no rattles no workmanship issues. The car goes like crazy and gets near 30 miles per gallon with four people, full trunk, air conditioning on, traveling 75 mph. I cant say enough good about this car.

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  Got lucky I guess - so far - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Trevorvw - January 20 - 1:46 am

  Bought this one new after owning an 01 Honda Odyssey that demolished 3 transmissions in 2 years. It is every bit as quick as the Honda was, gets decent mileage, hasnt broken down ever, the seats are more comfortable, and the stow and go is a marvel. Were pushing about 16000 miles on it now and if its like the rest of the complaints out there - then well see - but it does have a 7/70 warranty and Honda is certainly no better. Honda power doors would not open quick if power doors not functioning - or ever. Dodge completely worked around this issue.

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By CrayZ me - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Dodge... So far so good! This gar handles great! Awesome power too!!! All my previous cars were 5/6 Speed Manuals ( i needed a car that was able to move fast) This is also my first automatic 4dr professional like car... This car i would overall rate a 9.9 I had to put only a 7 on build quality and design being that the car broke down with a major / potentionaly deadly mechanical defect with under 100miles. My stearing locked while turning at about 30mph on a busy street. It was due to a factory misinstalled clock spring in the steering column.

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  Would But It Again in a Heartbeat - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Goldynluvr - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new with a 5.2L V8 and have never regretted it. Not even when the gas prices topped $2 per gallon here. It was a huge adjustment since my previous vehicle was a Saturn. But that only took a few days and shes been purring ever since. Sure it rides like a truck, but if Id wanted a car, I wouldve bought one. Some minor glitches, otherwise no trouble.