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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  nice to drive, but relability problems - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By cbeck - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought with 102000 miles. Fun to drive. handles nice. Not too bad power wise for a small car. Timing belt broke with a 142000 miles. Bent up all the valves in the head. Facing expensive repairs. Had constant oil leaks from engine. Transmission speed sensor went bad. Trunk lock doesnt work. Ac quit working. Car seemed to self destruct at about 140,000.

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  Good looking piece of ... - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Michael Mazzio - December 6 - 2:00 am

  After the first few thousand miles replaced the #1 spark plug every month or so(cracked). Strange clunking sound in steering. At 10000 replaced the front brakes, then again every 10-16000 miles. At 18000 replaced rear shocks. At 37000, just out of warranty, Transmission rebuilt for the first time. At 44000, rear rebuilt. At 46000, lower and upper ball joints and outer tie rods replaced. Odds and ends replaced until 96000 where the transmission was rebuilt a second time, transfer case, back-up light switch and have new seals put in steering box. Im at 166000 now, upper ball joints and transfer case needs to be rebuilt again. One good thing, truck still runs.

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  I hate it!!! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Ryne - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2000 Durango due to high mileage, which to me rode like a Cadillac, and purchased the 2003 model. After 3 months we are looking at trading this one in. This one rides like a truck, the interior seems so much smaller and compact. You are now butting elbows with your passenger. I always said I would always drive a Durango, but now I think we will be looking at other SUVs.

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  Save yourself the money - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By ugly54 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had a horrible time with my neon. I have had trouble with the electrical system. The radio is known to turn on by itself without the car even on. The dash board, head lights, etc. will on occasion not work as well. Next, the sunroof stopped working. Finally, the transmission went at 49,000 miles.This is not what I would consider a reliable car.

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  Nice but probably not again - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By michelle sykes - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this baby new off the lot and have had a lot of problems. One week after driving off the lot, the driver side power seat broke. Since then it has gone down hill. Had the seals around the doors and trunk replaced, the entire ac unit after 3 trips to the dealer, 2 transmission pumps and a transmission mother board and a few other minor issues. Very comfortable seats & the trunk is roomy enough to store my double stroller with plenty of room for a entire grocery load!

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  Reality Check - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By ExZact - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Nice base ride but do not look for extra comforts on this car. Watch out for engine trouble, especially areas related to the cylinder head. Solid tranmission, but a three speed auto limits the top speed as well as giving the impression you are working the engine too hard beyond 75-80 mph.

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  Bad engine 2.7 liter - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Mr. Roberts - November 29 - 2:00 am

  The intrepid was a great car UNTIL the engine fell apart at 73000. According to Jasper Engines, Dodge has a problem with the 2.7 liter engine in the Intrepid. Our Intrepid had to have new engine put in. Wish someone would have told me about the problem engine. Buyers beware.

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  Nice Car, Bad Engines - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Bob Nolan - November 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great car for anyone who would like to own one, put few miles on it each year, and sell it prior to 60,000 miles. Chrysler should be shot in the head for using the crappy engines (2.0 and 2.4l engines) in these cars. After 60,000 miles, trade it, sell it, whatever, just get rid of it. A head gasket leak will turn into a $3,000 repair in no time. Other than that, great response, great handling, and an all around economical car in a good package.

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  Never Again! - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By nezzy - November 10 - 2:00 am

  We bought this new, have put just over 60K miles on it, and its falling apart. Transmission is failing. Air conditioner needs $1000 repair. Brake master cylinder needs replacement. Intermittant wiper feature not working. Several annoying trim-related problems. Have already replaced alternator and battery. Overall, just unacceptable quality. Mechanics have told me that several of these are common problems with these vehicles. Our next minivan will not be a Caravan!

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  vehivle summary - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By deputycoke - November 8 - 2:00 am

  first dodge i ever owned and am very pleased. good power, comfortable, nice stereo, overall a pleasure to own. Not good on gas milage, and doesnt tow trailers very well.