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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  Bad Buy - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Lakrisha Davidson - April 20 - 4:30 am

  I bought my Caliber used in 2016 and it was a total lemon. The dealer was a complete scam artist. My car had no horn, bad brakes and struts, and stained ceilings and seats. I regret the decision to buy that car still to this day. My car was constantly in the shop. I put my car in the shop a day later from me buying it and it cost me $700 to get it out. Then I had to get the brakes changed which cost me $900 the first time and had to take it about 2 more times. I had to get the things that help the belt move changed and once when I was driving on the highway the front hood popped open. My A/C never worked fully plus it sucked up all the gas. My check engine light was on when i first bought it for a electrical problem no one could fix. My wires were wrapped in duct tape. My heater never worked so I froze during the winter. The only pro to this car was the trunk was spacious and the back seats let down.

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  Hope the new ones are better than 09 - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By tess - April 17 - 3:26 pm

  Needed to replace a tire and it was the biggest pain to find one. Needed all new tires after 2 years @ $250 apiece. The thing that squirts windshield wiper fluid out broke - twice. The stick that holds up the hood broke off right away. Both visor mirror covers broke off. Brakes needed replacing. All within 2 years! Crummiest new car experience ever.

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  The worst vehicle ever! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Cheryl - March 18 - 2:23 pm

  I have owned my vehicle for approximately 11 months and my car has been in the shop more days than I can count. Everything that has been mentioned in the other negative reviews has happened to my vehicle. My car acts like it is going to die on a regular basis and the dealership cant find the problem. My radio decides to stop working for no reason. My strut tower was not bolted in. Nice workmanship!! My door locks decide when they will work. Some days the locks will work and some days they wont. I have nothing nice to say about the vehicle or the dealership!!! I do not feel safe driving this vehicle!! Stay away from the dodge product!

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  Huge Disappointment - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Big Disappointment - March 10 - 8:33 am

  Dont buy this car! I bought this car 8 months ago. Its been in the shop 3 times! Major work - leaking head gaskets! Brakes were bad within 6 weeks of purchase. Gas mileage is not good for such a compact car. Very bumpy ride, lots of noise. Cant unlock doors from passenger side (??) Very inconvenient. I love the look of the car; I hate the performance. Very undependable. I will be trading it in now (warranty is almost up @ 35,000 miles and I cant afford more major repairs that wont be covered). Big disappointment because now I will be upside down in my next vehicle. Thanks Chrysler!

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  worst car Ive ever rented - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By lessbs - March 7 - 11:13 am

  This car is unbelievably bad. Steering wheel is hard to get under when getting in even when in its highest position, the low top of the side-window area is easy to hit your head on when you get in and out, the cup holders are in a lousy position and too far behind the driver, the visors are in the way even in their highest position, the seats are uncomfortable, and the locks make an obnoxiously loud noise when they self-lock after a minute or so when driving. These are just first impressions since I probably havent had time to find the things really wrong with the car. I have recently rented Ford Fusions and Chev Malibus which were much better (I own a Lexus GS, but am not comparing it).

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  New Transmission @ 50K Miles - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Josh G - February 18 - 2:46 am

  I drive 130 highway miles every day. I bought the caliber because I needed an economical car with awd. The CVT is awful! At 50k, something was wrong. I took it in to the dealer and found out it needed a new tranny. A new tranny at 50k miles! I bought the car 4 months before Chrysler offered the lifetime warranty. With labor and tax, I was looking at $4000. The dealer wouldnÂ’t do anything. They even told me that my caliber was not the first that they replaced the transmission in. I decided to call Chrysler for help. After 3 hours on the phone, I was able to convince them to pay for it. Never buy a vehicle with CVT. I will never buy a Chrysler vehicle again. Spend the extra money and get a Toyota or Honda.

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  dodge death trap - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By dodge death trap - January 23 - 9:50 am

  My 07Caliber kicks like a bronco when it changes gears, metal plates break from the bottom, my cup holders randomly dont light up, Ive have to replace the struts, springs, tierods, rotors, brakes, tires...I personally would not recommend this car. My car now has 46K and not covered under the warranty anymore.

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  nothin but hate - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By jentown - January 22 - 4:13 pm

  Big mistake, tires shot @ 12,000 miles even after rotating when needed & nobody will do anything but pass the buck back and forth. After about 6 months started falling on its face had @ dealership 3 times. Of course nothing wrong (I was crazy) until it would not start. Had to be towed, main computer chip went out. Service dept. Total jerks, terrible gas mileage, lots of blind spots. Cant tell you how times I have almost hit people changing lanes. Make sure you always look 2 or 3 times before switching lanes. I told my boyfriend this car is going to be the death of me and make sure Dodge pays dearly for it.

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  Will never buy a Dodge Again - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Boringdelaney - January 21 - 7:06 am

  I bought this vehicle as they came rolling off the trucks (3/06). In the last 3 yrs had some major problems: **4/06; the entire exhaust had to be replaced **2/07; at 13,000 miles, the pads and rotors had to be replaced **11/07; pads replaced once again **1/08; at 29,000 miles the electrical had to be replaced. **9/08; the complete braking system had to be replaced including pads and rotors ** 5/09;The last and final issue, a strange noise from the engine, it was the alternator, water pump, timing belt, pulley and some type of exhaust issue, I called the bank and had them pick up the vehicle, I will NEVER own a Chrysler/Dodge Product Again. Buyers Beware.

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  Its the Money Pit - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Drex - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I just replaced the AC for $1,400, 2 Transmissions, new front end suspension, new water pump, and starter. We have windshield wipers that come on by themselves and an ABS light that goes on and stays on sometimes when you start the car. Teh brakes and rotors wear very quickly! It has been a money pit. No more Dodge cars or Vans for me!