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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  Poor choice of an SUV - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By N Wilkey - August 8 - 9:01 am

  I bought this on a whim from a dealer that I had dealt with before. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made. I had a Kia before and would give anything to have it back. I can not trade because the value is so bad. The plastic on the seat belts keeps braking. You would think Dodge would give a box of the covers with each sale.

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  Do.Not.Buy.This.Car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jessica - July 3 - 10:38 pm

  Listen to all of these reviewers when they say that the 2.7 engine will die on you. Because it will! Mine just happened to chose 5 months after I bought it. And replacing the engine was not an option because they are so hard to find and the fix will cost more then what the car is worth. Do yourself a favor. Stay away from this car!!

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  Beware of Bad Transmission - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Vasha20 - May 14 - 3:26 pm

  bought my neon at a cheaper type of lot it was 5 yrs old with 75000 miles. Red Flag should of went up when they said no warrenty not even 30 days. It took 2 months a hose ripped off the radiator and stripped it so it needed a new radiator. $400.00. then after 1 year the transmission when out. This was not cheap, $2,400. The mechanic says neons have a transmission flaw with this year. Even after it was fixed, the transmission acted funny every time the air conditioner was on. So I dont use the air conditioner anymore. I dont think the car will last much longer. I wouldnt even give it to a kid. If you have a neon get rid of it after it is 5 years old. These are throw away cars.

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  Dodge Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By tina75 - February 23 - 10:52 am

  I personally have had nothing but problems with my Nitro. First time owning a Dodge and at this point will never own one again. The shifting issues they have has now caused me to have to have the transmission rebuilt with no help from Dodge. Im very easy on my vehicles and have kept up with all maintenance so this is not due to neglect on my part. Not a happy customer

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  My Blue Boy - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Miss - January 7 - 1:54 pm

  I bought my 2002 in 2002, brand new. I love the way it handles and I love the mileage. Ive had problems with transmission and just recently one of my back brakes. But its all wear and tear. Now its fine and rides great. It handles great in any weather. I got a total of 137,000 miles and its still going.

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  Terrible - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Rp - January 3 - 2:18 am

  Bought it with 90k miles. Within two months it needed a new motor and a new transmission. It has numerous other defective parts since then - horn does not work, cruise control does not work, alarm is set off when unlocking the door with the key, a/c does not work, speakers broke, heat does not work on passenger side, air vents shut off at random. It has had numerous sets of brakes because it cannot stop well at all. Design flaws - any owner will tell you they have replaced all the tie rods and ball joints at least once, if you have a V8 model say good bye to good fuel economy (11 mpg highway at 65mph), terrible interior with no back doors, 4WD with no locking differential?

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  dodge rammed - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By dale popovch - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the vehicle for about 4 months now and had to replace the transmission already and the brakes had a problem with them. I am in the process of trying to get out of the vehicle and into another

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  Dart Aero has unfixable clutch and sounds of wires - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By TeresaTN - October 14 - 9:18 pm

  Has bad clutch that smokes and blowes thru vents everytime you drive it! Sounds of wire shorting out in dash..slips out of gear..dealership says they cannot fix it. Thats the way it is suppose to do!Told me to pull over if it smokes and let it cool off then drive. And dont use outside vent air..but use inside circulating air vent. But still smells like blown out candles, possibe harmful! Somebody please help me get rid of it. Watch my youtube Dodge dart aero 2015 for the sound. Dont buy!! Purchased at Tri City Dodge..and serviced there and Royston in Rogersville TN. PLEASE HELP ME GET RID OF IT!! I am afraid it will catch on fire!!

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  2 catastrophic failures in 3 years. - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Jerry - October 14 - 4:11 pm

  I just had to rebuild the tranny with 68,000 miles on it. Tranny failure was catastrophic while driving in the left lane of a highway. 1-1/2 years ago had to have the front drive train replaced. 1 electric slide door does not work At least 3 recalls on this year of Caravan. Wont ever buy another Dodge.

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  Worst Van ever - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kialover15 - August 18 - 7:10 pm

  Back in July of 2006, we bought a Dodge Grand Caravan, dumb move, it was terrible, we hated it! The ride was rough, seats were uncomfortable, visibility was awful, and we only got an average of about 13 mpg! Not good enough with these soaring gas prices. So after 13 months, we traded it in for a Kia Rondo, much much better.