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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  Nice van - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ed - December 8 - 9:26 am

  This is my 4th Dodge minivan, we love it. The new front styling is why I bought it. Just got back from Washington St. over 1,600 mi. one way with no problems. We hit a 60 mi head wind and mileage drop to 20 mpg. The rest of the trip we made 30 mpg. couldnt be happier. 3400 mi on less than $280.00 in gas. Only thing I didnt like is it always shifting down going up the mountains ranges,and little hills. lack of power unless it shifted down and than the motor sound like it was going to blow up. My wife, daughter, and 2 grands kids made the trip and we had plenty of room thanks to the stow and go.

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  Excellent Ride - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Squid762 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 2001 Stratus RT coupe new in 2001. I have had no major problems with the car. I have had it in for recalls but other than that there have been no problems. The satin white I own has been discontinued. It is pearl and very sharp.

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  problem van (PLEASE READ THIS) - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By junk van - December 7 - 2:00 am

  i have nothing but problems with it. I have water leaks,engine oil leaks ,trans leaks, wind noises,squeaks and rattels,trans not shifting corectly, engine not running corectly,all doors not opening and closeing corectly. if this is not only a few of the problems that i have had with this van I have taken this van back to the dealer where it was bought from about four times a month from the time i bought it new in 2001 it is now almost 2004 and still have not had these problems corected . the say they want me back in another dodge product I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER PRODUCT FROM THEM!!!!

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  2003 Status R/T - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By pdxr/t - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 Dodge Durango because of the horrible fuel milage (12/17mpg) I was getting. I am very pleased with the 18.5/27.5 I am getting now. It handles great with the 17" tires. The 2.7 is pretty peppy for its size. Anybody know where I can get aftermarket permormance parts for 2.7? The one thing I do miss is the heated leather seats from the Durango. The R/T is a sharp looking, good value for the price.

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  Dodge SRT-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Moparmike98 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  After viewing numerous SRT-4s that I have had the pleasure of driving, and racing, I have to admit, the SRT-4 is by far the greatest value for the money. I was so impressed I bought one myself.

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  Its an OK car - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Rob - December 6 - 10:48 am

  I had the car two years and it was a OK car for what i gave for it. It sits low so its a bit odd to get in and out of. I have a thermostat housing crack (made of plastic) and it was under and back side of the engine so it was very hard to change out. Then the timing chain went out and they replaced two of them but they had to pull the cam shaft pulleys to get to it ($1,300). so if you have to work on it it sucks. It was quick and great gas mileage. Bottom line is dont pay a lot for the car. someone hit me and i got more for the car than i payed so it worked out for me.

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  troubles - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By sdh - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This truck was great until 87,000 miles, then it fell apart. It burns up cat converters--needs 4th already, had to have a new transmission and ball joints.

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  Fun to Drive - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Tedster - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is the most comfortable I have driven ever. Its interior is well designed wit all the amenities for a non-luxury model. Its handling and aerodynimic design is superb. I am almost always stop by people and comment about its sleek and sophisticated appearance. I am very content with my Dodge Avenger. The next car that can replace this beauty is a 430 lexus, 330 Mercedez Benz or 720i BMW. The main idea for this car is to keep it very clean and detailed at all times. This car is definitely a keeper.

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  showroom lemon - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By AngelsAmongUs561 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  idles rough. electrical problems, transmission shifts rough. stalls randomaly. cv joints bad allready. rear brakes make loud noises. dealer claims nothing wrong with car. do not buy a Neon, big waste of money, will be trading in for another chevy cavalier, wished i kept my 95 chevy

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  Good looking piece of ... - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Michael Mazzio - December 6 - 2:00 am

  After the first few thousand miles replaced the #1 spark plug every month or so(cracked). Strange clunking sound in steering. At 10000 replaced the front brakes, then again every 10-16000 miles. At 18000 replaced rear shocks. At 37000, just out of warranty, Transmission rebuilt for the first time. At 44000, rear rebuilt. At 46000, lower and upper ball joints and outer tie rods replaced. Odds and ends replaced until 96000 where the transmission was rebuilt a second time, transfer case, back-up light switch and have new seals put in steering box. Im at 166000 now, upper ball joints and transfer case needs to be rebuilt again. One good thing, truck still runs.