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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  SORRY DODGE YOU SCREWED UP! - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Durangos Suck - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Durango a $1000 under what everyone else was asking and got a great deal. One year later the truck depreciates $3500 bucks, and have had nothing but problems since. Had to put in tranny seals in 2 times now, ball joint are goin out, tie rod ends are going out, exhaust is going out. shocks, minor electrical, squeaky pullys, fog light switch, windshield spayers, differental is acting wierd, Braking is pretty funky as well somtimes the antilocks works somtimes they dont. I am at the point I am scared to keep it any longer. Oh yes and everybodys favorite complaint the HORRABLE gas mialage! 10 mpg.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By vans - February 1 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car in the spring of 2002. It had 30,000 miles at the time. We have owned the car less than 2 years and the transmission is shot at 53,000 miles. We followed manufacturer recommendations and had the transmission fluid replaced last year. Didnt do any good. Very disgusted about the whole thing. Over all, I have loved my van up to this point. I know Dodges are known for transmission problems, but to have it go at 53,000 miles?? Buyers beware.

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  no 5 star here - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jabenj - January 31 - 10:00 am

  After 3300 miles the trouble began. ABS sensor failed, power sliding door stopped working. At 5000 miles the power steering cooling line ruptured. At 5700 miles the A/C compressor seized, necessitating a tow from the highway. 6000 miles, excessive noise from the front end. 3 trips to the dealer & 4000 miles--its getting louder. 13mpg in city,unacceptable for a sticker claiming 18mpg!!!

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  Dodge Transmissions STINK - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By bobbbbbb - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Love the car but the transmission is horrible. Went out and has never been the same.

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  Dead before 75000 - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Never Again - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new. I have bought new Dodges for the past 25 years. I just went out and bought a Honda. With less than 75,000 miles on the car, the engine went. I understand this problem is standard on the smaller engine. I kept buying American because I thought it was my duty. I am just a working class guy and cannot afford a car that just dies at 75,000 miles.

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  Hate my 2002 caravan LOVED my 2000 - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By nomoredodge4me - January 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my second caravan, my first was a 2000 base stripped down model 3 door and I LOVED IT! Drove like a car, the quality was all over it from the seats to the engine it was well built. My 2002 SHOCKED me the quality went WAY down hill. I have had more service calls for A/C, engine and brakes and disappointment with the interior than I can tell you! Check it from head to toe if you are considering a purchase. Also, you cannot open the back with out the key...Inconvenient!! I will be trading mine for a Nissan Quest!

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  Not so hot - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By yes - January 8 - 3:26 am

  I had my first SXT for 48 hours before the transmission line house blew off and then after that was fixed, the car had starting problems. The dealer gave me a new one, another SXT with the same options. The entertainment DVD, headphone thing is WAY too complicated, the remote, at least after the first two tries, doesnt seem like it works. Yes, a lot of options, but also a lot of headaches. The plastic around the steering wheel looks very cheap, like a kid put it on. I think my Town and Country was slightly better.

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  Dont Buy it - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By KEH - January 2 - 2:00 am

  Love(d) driving this car but it is putting me in debt with the expensive repairs. Air conditioning went at around 75k, transmission went at 78k and cost me $2,000 to repair, paints chipping, logos falling off, water pump went, suspension is shot, alternator went, road noise is terrible, and the heating/air makes an irritating buzzing noise everytime I start the car. I am finally going to put it to rest since my transmission has again died. Its a beautiful car and rides nice(when it rides), but unreliable at best.

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  No Mo Dodges - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By No-Mo Dodges - January 2 - 2:00 am

  OK ride. Styling has gotten a little long in the tooth. Some electrical problems have arisen as was the case with friends who own the same style/make vehicle.

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  Research didnt help - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Qdubb - January 2 - 2:00 am

  When I purchased this car in 01 I did the research. At least I thought I did. Consumer reports had positive things to say about it but now I regret purchasing this car. My biggest issue is the price I paid for this car ($15995). Now I d be lucky to get $7000 for this thing. Its a money pit. I have had my share of issues from brakes to oil pan issues and AC in the last couple of years and I am now just waiting for the next big break in my pocket book. The sad thing is I know three other people I work with who wishes they had never made their Intrepid purchase.