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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  Save your money and buy a decent car - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Engine oil pressure problems from early on. At 23,000 dealer claimed engine sludge problems caused by my failure to perfrom appropriate maintenance. Been in shop at least four times for the same problem and Dodge refuses to repair under warranty saying problem caused by "shody" maintenance. Will probably have to resort to "sueing" to get repaired so I can sell. "Stay away from Durango and Dodge unless you are a masochist." No dealer or manufacturer support.

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  DONT BUY!!!!!! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By AAWWWW - August 4 - 8:00 pm

  Please take my word for it, DO NOT BUY A DODGE CARAVAN, OR DODGE GRAND CARAVAN! We had nothing but trouble since day one. Electrical, transmission, motor, and steering linkage problems!!! Thank God for warranties. The transmission started shifting extremely hard, the motor started running very rough (the dealership even had trouble figuring out what the problem was), electric windows stopped working, electric door locks stopped working, and they had to replace the steering linkage. It only had 35,000 miles on it, and it was a 2005. We sold this junk, and bought a Chevy Suburban. Ill gladly pay a little extra for gas, and have something reliable for a change.!!!

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  Bad Apple - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Daniel Ryan - August 1 - 12:20 pm

  Purchased the Grand Caravan in 1998. Liked the way it looked and there were not many alternatives like today. Over the years, had numerous problems with the vehicle. Most annoying was the vehicle would shred the belts about every 12 months. Dealers would say they fixed the problem. About 12 months later, the belts would shred again. Too many other problems to list. Finally, after deciding the transmission was about to go and having the belts shred for the third time in three years, traded for a Toyota. This was my second Dodge product. I should have learned from my experience with the first (Intrepid). I will not be fooled again. I will never, ever purchase a Dodge again.

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  Never Again - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Amber - July 22 - 2:46 am

  I purchased a dodge caliber used with only 19,000 miles in Feb. 2008. In June 2008 i noticed my car makeing a knocking noise when accelerateing or slowing down at this time the car only had 33,000 miles on it so it was still covered under warranty. So I took it to a dodge dealer here in this area and they checked it out and told me there was nothing wrong with it. I didnt agree so i took it to another dodge dealer the next week and they said nothing was wrong with it. So i gave up and of course the warranty went out and it is still making that noise well i took it to another mechnic and he told me that it was the transmission. And Im a single mother and i cant afford $2500 to fix it!

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  What a piece of junk!!! - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Unhappy owner - July 22 - 2:00 am

  My model is the Sport. In the 4 yrs that Ive had this vehicle, Ive had to replace the brakes (at 25,000 mi), replace battery TWO times, replace defective (Michelin)(tires caused steering wheel to shake & vibrate)-I was told by dealer there was a recall and to take them to a Michelin dealer who told me that theyd replace the tires but I had to pay a good amount for the replacement tires, van has developed oil leak that will cost $1,000 to repair, transmission needed repairing-- these are only a few of the problems Ive had with it -- NEVER AGAIN!!!! No more Chrysler products for me.

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  Poor Investment - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hategovmotos - June 3 - 7:45 pm

  Bought 2008 Caravan so we wouldnÂ’t have a reliable vehicle. Since then, weÂ’ve had to replace brake pads at about 55,000 miles. It needs new rear rotors and the sliding doors have bad rattles. Today we were told by the our local Dodge dealership that it might need work done on the drive train or possibly a transmission rebuild ($2,600). Going to cost us $250 just to get into the transmission to find the problem. I use to be a Dodge fan, but not any more. Only good thing that company has going is the Cummins engine in the pick-ups--the engine that Dodge (GM) doesnÂ’t manufacture. Plan to get it fixed; get it sold; then buy anything, but a Dodge! Would not recommend this POS to anyone!

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  Eye catcher - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By peteyspal - May 29 - 10:53 pm

  I first saw this car in a parking lot and drove strait to the Dodge dealership. Its the first "crossover" type vehicle that Ive seen that made me want to trade in my gas-guzzling suv. I get lots of positive comments on the exterior styling even though its the "base" model without all the spoilers and such. Handling is acceptable given the low end price and gas mileage is good as well. My 17 year old niece fell in love and sat in it for over an hour.Not bad considering the fact that Ive owned high-end SUVs for the past 10 years!

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  a nightmare - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By pcarrs - May 8 - 6:45 am

  i would not recommend this car to anyone i have owned this vehicle for 3 years i have over 200,000 miles on it i run it as a taxi and am familiar with all the problems others have written about it. brakes are the worst they designed them too small i have to replace pads every 3 months somtimes sooner if the calipers stick replaced calipers, and rotors. replaced heater hoses several times the plastic tee cracks which leads to leaks. radiator cracked. ac compressor hoses burst. motor mounts need constant replaceing. this car is a money pit. you can purchase a hummer for the price you spend on this van and the fuel economy is the same!!!!!!!

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  Disgusted - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By michelle - May 4 - 9:30 am

  Bought this vehicle brand new. I have had A/C issues, latch issues and shift issues. Most of all, I have put $500 recently into rear brakes after having had my front brakes already replaced for the same reason, squealing. I complained about the three times I have had to return my van for problems, but have gotten nowhere. They need to recall the brakes! I have owned 2 other Caravans and enjoyed owning them but not this one.

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  Worst new car ever! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By T - April 27 - 12:56 pm

  Within the first few months the thing that squirts windshield wiper fluid broke (twice), the stick that holds up the hood broke (dangerous!), and both cover over the visor mirrors broke off. I need to replace a tire and it was extremely difficult to locate a Kumho. After 2 years I needed to replace all 4 tires at $250 apiece. And the brakes needed replacing. The stain resistant seats are not stain resistant. Still had 3 years left on my loan - took a loss and traded that sucky lemon in!