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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  Solid car- 9 years, no major repairs - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By TJ2 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in April 1994 and have had no major repairs. My car has a manual transmission with overdrive and has required no major repairs at 95,000 mi. Odometer and speedometer dont function when outdoor temperatures exceed 90 F, but in Oregon that doesnt happen much. Automatic seatbelt has continued to function well. Driver side mirror has come out of its track periodically since it was new. (fixed 3 times under dealer warranty, fixed at home since then. Our fixes last longer.) Good handling in rain/snow and starts in sub-zero weather.

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  Nightmare - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By berthabutt - September 13 - 2:00 am

  One problem after another, and it is not even paid for yet. Ball joints, drive train, a/c, shocks--all problems- -

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  300K and still going ... - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By Min - September 13 - 2:00 am

  i bought mine new in 1991 ... 3.0 V6. many problems (replaced tranny twice, engine gasket, radiator twice, a/c never seemed to work). however it is nearing 300K but is still going. great shape although paint is in bad shape.

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  Hurry, the Korean replacement is coming! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Rick E - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Bang for the buck? How about blinding nuclear flash for 25 cents? A bulletproof twincam I-4, superstrong transaxle (built in NY, originally designed for turbodiesel Graz-built minivans!) wrist-size halfshafts, beefy brakes, "lasts forever" Quaife diff, real Viper seats, for $20K. Runs 13.8 dead stock, 12s with easy bolt- ons. Remember, these will be built for the rest of 04, a few months of 05, then the partys over. The next geneartion will be a Mitsu/Hyundai conglomeration. Ugh. The last real Mopar from Belvidere, IL. He who snoozes, loses.

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  You Wont be Disappointed - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By goMSUspartans - September 13 - 2:00 am

  My silver 2001 2WD Quad Cab with 4.7L has been a dream. I use the bed a lot more than I thought. Suggestions, get a LINE-X bed liner, not a factory plastic one. The LINE-X beds look and perform great. Also, make sure to run mid grade gas or youll get some pinging. The higher driving position of the 4WD version is appealing but Im still glad I got the 2WD version for a little better mileage. My console tells me Ive averaged 17.1mpg overall. Definitely get the 4.7L, the 3.9 was weak during the test drive.

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  nice ride - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By bubba dale - September 13 - 2:00 am

  meets my needs has great power i wish it had better gas milage. but over all it is a great ride

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  4.7 ltr Dak Sport - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By ARpapa - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Plenty power for hwy or Ozark hill/mtns pulling bass boat. Rides like a car on the highway, handles dirt/gravel like a truck.

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  I Love it! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Christina - September 12 - 10:46 am

  I researched the Journey for 2 months, it took me a few dealerships and a few weeks to finally get what I wanted. I have not had any major problems with the Journey as of yet, I do hear a weird sound when turning left but I have not addressed it yet with the dealership. I would like for the Low Fuel signal to tell me how many miles left till empty. I average about 18 mpg w/i city and have not taken a road trip as of yet. I enjoy the flex seating, the space is a bit cramped, but then again only my children will be sitting back there if needed.

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  Not that shabby - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Frenchgrl9 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Although I did have to have a few things replaced in the car like everyone else, I was fortunate that it was under warrenty. I recently was in a wreck and the car kept me from being seriously injured. I have a neon rental car now! This one drives even better than the first and is making me think that I might try a newer neon again. I have been informed by reliable mechanics that the newer neons do not have the same problems as the others.

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  class action - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By austin tx - September 12 - 2:00 am

  This was Intrepid #2. My first was a 95 and had a repeating front-end problem. Should have learned! My 99 Intrepid was the first new car I have ever purchased and about number 15 in vehicles owned. At 52K miles I spent over 5k to replace the engine. They said lack of required maint. I say bad oil sending unit. Brakes $700 Window motors replaced under warranty as well as both engine fans. Lots of road noise and dont dare roll down the back windows while you are moving. Dont buy