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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  my car sucks - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By thegame76 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  i have had it it the shop 7 or 8 timess still something wrong......tranmission problems, and rubbing engine noise

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  never buy a dodge again - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By no more dodges - February 29 - 2:00 am

  driven under 4000 a year and tranny went after 2600 miles (lucky it was covered under warranty) air conditioner went bad every year for 4 years (documented by dealer themselves, again,lucky for warranty) because of extended waranty they finally fixed it and they admitted they still werent sure how. paint chipping since day 1.MY WIFE LIKED THE WAY IT LOOKED AND WE BOUGHT IT. ONE OF THE WORST MISTAKES I EVER MADE, STILL CANT FIGURE OUT WHY I LISTENED TO HER.

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  Looks will fool you - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Stabone - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Chrysler has failed with this engine and mechanical elements. The head gasket WILL begin to leak around 50K, in addition to many other repairs that go beyond ware and tear. Do not buy this model after 50K or you will end up spending well over $3,000 in repairs. Dont let the looks and extra features fool you. Chrysler should be ashamed of themsevles. I cant wait to get rid of this vehicle.

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  should have bought an SL55 - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By mistake - February 25 - 2:00 am

  bought on impulse, should have bought an SL55. looks like an 85k kit car.

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  I will never buy a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE StowNGo Flex Fuel - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kandyce - February 22 - 3:17 pm

  This is the worst Minivan I have ever owned. I have owned 4 in total (different years) It seems that the newer year you get, the more issues you have. I currently have 3 recalls on it but there should be more. My issues are as followed: *you have to giggle the shifter to get it to go into park to turn it off *stalls *bad on gas even with Flex Fuel *turns off while driving *over heats *wipers turn on, on there own *will repeataly start (turn over) over and over again while trying to start it and have to turn it off and try again to start it. *always replacing breaks, struts, shocks, ball joints, rooters (never before this bad)

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  Buggy since new - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By ShaneOhio - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck but lots of bugs and mechanical woes.Two converters,alternator,fan clutch,ball joints,and many other complaints to list!Its too bad the quality of parts are so bad,this would be a great truck otherwise.Will not buy another one unless Dodge wakes up and fixes all this.

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  Nightmare - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By lindap - February 21 - 2:00 am

  It has been a nightmare! We have replaced the head gasket, transmission, speed sensor twice, serpentine belt, alternater twice and the starter. This car has been in the shop more than out and Chrysler has been no help. We would never buy another Chrysler product

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  4 Wheeling in a Caddie - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Happikampr - February 21 - 2:00 am

  My Durango has been a pretty good vehicle. We do a lot of family 4- wheeling and find it quite comfortable. Gas mileage is not high but it has the power and comfort to go 4-wheeling in style.

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  P.O.S. - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By eray - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I will never purchase another Dodge product in my entire life!!! I have owned it for about 4 yrs and have sunk nearly 6K in fixing it! It now has only 80K miles. The rear bearings went out at 37K miles. The water pump, window motor, radiator, upper and lower control arms (replaced them twice!), tyrods, ball joints, and factory cd radio have all been replace. I highly recomend no one ever purchasing this vehicle.

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  Nightmare - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By mwaltjr - February 3 - 2:00 am

  After 18,000 miles, the transmission needs to be replaced. Excessive brake dust is a constant problem. Good in poor weather and lots of passenger/cargo room. B/c of poor transmission issues, I cant recommend this car.