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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  Great first car, but do your research. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By wneville - March 7 - 4:22 pm

  I bought a 2004 Dodge Neon SXT in March of 2011 while I was living down in Georgia, and the car had a little over 90,000 miles on it. The gas mileage was great, as it averaged about 28 miles per gallon on the city and about 35 miles on the highway. It served its purpose, as it was not only a commuter car, but I drove it 2000 miles back to Montana comfortably, with no problems. The car never burned oil. My underlying problems, however, was that I had to replace the motor mounts, and the check oil light came on soon after I bought the car. I also had to change the alignment twice. This is all before 100,000 miles. The suspension wasnt great, as it felt it was metal on metal at times.

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  Vibration in the rear end - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By dodgejourney - March 5 - 7:57 pm

  We have a 2012 dodge journey bought it December 2012 we have at it at the shop 7+ times with a vibration in the rear end. If anyone can have someone drive them ride in the back and you will feel it. Starts around 40 and gets worse around 46. They dont want to fix it. So please if you have this problem go to dodge and complain. They have gave us the run around. If we can get a case against them then lets do it. We have drove a 2010, 2012, and 2013 they all do it. Time for them to have a recall.

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  nice while it lasted - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By hannahbgreat - February 28 - 8:18 pm

  This was a high school graduation gift in 2009. I was excited to get a brand new car that I could depend on lasting for a long time. Within 2 years, there was a "re-call" on the breaks. This worked out just in time, because I was looking into buying new break pads. My break pads were squeaking so bad, I had to do something about it. I dont think I misuse my breaks. And surprise! One year later, they are squeaking again. The interior parts are falling apart (just getting in and out normally). The tire hubcap/covering paint is chipping off and discoloring. final complaint: there is too many bind spots. I literally have to get out of my seats to see all around me. Very unsafe

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  Dont Buy One - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By arcop223 - January 15 - 10:58 am

  IÂ’ve had this car about two years. The oddball tire size makes tires very expensive (tires are cheaper for my 1 ton 4X4). We are on our third radio system. The amp has been replaced twice, now the backup camera has quiet. Check Engine light keeps coming on with a code for a miss-fire. And as of recent, the front end sounds like something is breaking lose every time you get on the breaksÂ’. This car has 24000 miles on it. The electronic gremlins live in this car. At my job we have a lot of new Dodge cars most of them have the same type of problems.

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  junk - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By jamie562 - January 14 - 10:02 am

  i have had my intrepid for only 6 monthes it has alternator problems check engine light problems wont stay running stalls when i turn a corner and stop, has engine sludge, blown head gasket oil problems hesitates shakes etc this car is worthless and i would suggest not to buy ive had more problems than anything oh yea this is the 2nd motor and its still [non-permissible content removed] do not buy

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  Dont buy this car - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By samaro - January 11 - 3:28 pm

  Since I purchased this vehicle in September of 2011 IÂ’ve had problems from the radio not working, power outlets not working, bad cylinder heads, bad gas tank and fuel pump. According to the technician at the dealer the Journey has a problem with the cylinder going bed within the first year. The fuel pump had to be replaced twice. The first time they replace it I broke down in the middle of the freeway 3 days later with my family in the vehicle. The breaks and steering wheel locked up and the vehicle shutoff. I was a sitting duck waiting to be hit be oncoming vehicle s. I had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and 3 days later IÂ’m told that the vehicle is fixed but I need to replace the b

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  Dont Buy IT. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By rwrasman - January 9 - 6:17 pm

  This car is the worst car ever and dodge is an absolutely HORRIBLE company to have to endure if anything happens. Dont buy a dodge....

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  BIG MISTAKE!!! Done with Dodge!!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By bargomommy - December 29 - 3:01 pm

  Check engine light came on within a week of buying this piece of junk! Both O2 sensors needed replaced. Then the alternator to a dump and needed replaced! When you go to accelerate, you dont know whether its going to go or be sluggish and need to push down harder on the gas. N matter how many times I clean it, it is a dust collector. The gas mileage has never been what was stated. Then there are the recalls. We are trading this in as soon as we get our taxes and never looking back!!! I will never buy a Dodge again!!!

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  dodge neon 02 - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By nicole30 - December 22 - 4:23 pm

  This car was great at first(80,000), but after a year with 111,000 miles on it, had to surrender to pick n pull....This car will need extra special help if you want it to last. Cheap, but not a good choice if you want a soid car.

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  Ticking Time Bomb - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By danfrommass - December 2 - 8:40 pm

  Stay away crom this vehicle. After 70,000 miles, engines will throw a rod and destroy the engine block. The Hemi 5.7 are notorious for this. You have been warned!!!! Google "hemi engine failure". A new engine + installation will run over $7,000.