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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  Never again - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dennis - April 14 - 6:00 pm

  Bought the van because of affordable pricing and good looks. Reliability and build quality are poor with several recalls and replacement of transmission, water pump, AC compressor, sway bar bushings and now the blower motor only works on high. Have replaced blower motor resistor but that only worked for a short time before it failed. Many other problems, thank goodness I took out the extended warranty on this thing.

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  My 2000 Durango - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Santo - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 00 Durango until I hit the 50,000 mile mark. Major front end problems started to arise and they are still coming. The drivers seat could use more padding in the lower lumbar area. The padding broke down in my seat after 35k. The engine is solid! This truck can tow a house down. I have the 5.9 liter. The power is unbelievable! 3rd row seat is very handy.

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  Looks good, not build good - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By cordled - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I have always loved the way Dodge trucks looked. Thats what attacted me to the Durango. Now after owning it for 5 years I still like the looks but I had to get a new transmission ($2600) in March of 2003. Now this year front and rear diffs, engine intake and the rear axle/bearings needs replaced (another $3500). I will probably never purchase another Dodge again.

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  2008 Grand Caravan A/C evaporator - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Richie - April 6 - 10:26 pm

  2008 i purchased used in august 2009, TIPIM or TPM MODULE went bad caused van to shut off, radio didnt turn on signals didnt work. dodge said they cant help. now my a/c blows hot air i put die and had a tech check he did not find any leaks at all so he asked another tech that works for dodge and was told it is the evaporator for SURE the evaporator used in my vehicle are the worst and it should be a recall, but of course Dodge said no again. I cant afford to fix it so I will be driving with out a/c the worst part is the defrost dont work without the ac, in Florida, and I have 5 kids. I also got a recall on the radiator cap and brakes. Wow terrible made vehicle

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  She had to have it - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By DavedoesntlikeDodge - April 6 - 2:00 am

  My wife loved the look of the Durango. The sale was high pressure, but we did get a very good deal $7000 below sticker price. When we got it the ground strap wasnt hooked up, the rear washer didnt work, and the folding seats stuck,lack of attention to detail. They worked on the seat twice and still it doesnt work that good, a poorly designed and finished hinge/latch piece. The battery died at 24,000 miles and it runs rough if it hasnt run for a while. I do my own maintance, the lack of a gasket of the transmission pan is just stupid. Our dealer service experiences have been terrible and we will never again buy a Dodge or Chyrsler product.

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  Good so far.. - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By grover750 - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Was my company car, I bought personally it when it hit 60k for $6k. See below for thoughts

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  Good for the first five years - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Rosemountguy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  After my initial purchase and subsequent visits to the dealer for various quality control problems, the truck worked very well for three years. Shortly after this a series of problems has made me question my purchase of a Chrysler product. Three sets fo brakes in less than 75,000 miles, various electrical gremlins, suspension problems, and cracked exhaust studs have jaded my initial opinion of the vehicle. The recent condition of peeling paint has made me consider selling the vehicle and purchasing one of foriegn manufacture.

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  Not a good experience with my Caravan - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By Dave-99 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I would not buy a Chrysler product again. Had to replace the transmission at 81000 miles when it just quit working. Were it not for an extended warranty this would have cost $3000 to fix. But still, the deductible and non- covered items set me back $250--for a vehicle with 81000 miles! It rattles, the drivers side seatbelt latch doesnt release without a fight, and today the speedometer quit. And lets not forget about the steering wheel vinyl taht literally melts in your hands. Very disappointing.

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  The Neon is not reliable - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Sean S - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Having purchased my 95 Neon with only 1200 miles on it made me feel like I was buying it new. But this ended about 2 years later, when the $5500 bills for transmission repair/replacement began to pile up. I recently put an additional $500 in repairs into the car, but it didnt help my "lack of acceleration" problem. The brakes are extremely loud and give way too easily. The rear speakers havent worked since 1998. I will never buy another Neon.

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  Shame on Dodge - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jacatch - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I decided to buy a U.S. car because I thought that by now most cars are similar in reliability. This car was okay until the engine went out at 66,000 miles. My research on the internet has found that this is a common problem with this engine (V-6 2.6 litre). Dodge/Chrysler will not help out in any way (I tried). 3 other people where I work had similar problems with the engine going out (1999,2000 and 2001). Daimler-Chrysler has no idea how many people will never buy a Dodge again. Word of mouth is spreading on the Intrepid all of the repair shops know about the problem with this engine.