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:

• 

  Dont do it! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By M Trainer - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Have owned this Durango for 6 months; been in the shop 5 times for warranty issues. The electrical system is not put together well. Like others, radio has gone out 3 times, lights flicker on/off inside, headlights went out twice at night while on freeway, A/C blows HOT off/on during summer,wind- shield wipers malfunctioned during storm, occasional pause during acceleration on freeway, bad dealership support (always same answer, "bring it back when its doing it"). Cannot recommend this vehicle until electrical system is fixed or installed better. Also, low on head room in the front. Chrysler no help!

• 

  Dodge introuble not intrepid - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Andy Lohden - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Last post 90 car I am buying. I traded in an Eclipse, because I wanted a car that was more reliable, but it was just as junky as the eclipse. I replaced every sensor and a $320 Fuel pump in the first year. Took Dodge dealer 2months to figure out the fuel pump problem. I bought a 84 Ford Crown Vic for $500 to get me around until the dodge was fixed. The Crown Vic never gave me a problem, so I tried to sell the Dodge, but I cant get what I owe on it. I hope it likes the barn Im going to store it in until I can sell the garbage. Be wise buy an old clunker itll get you further then the new junks without the payment. Dodge, Eclipse hater.

• 

  Horrible Vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Frank - October 11 - 6:23 am

  This is by far the worst vehicle I have every owned. I have had the rear heating/cooling system replaced 4 times in less then a year. Now at 16K miles I need all new brakes and rotors which Im told is normal (no way!) And MPG keeps dropping and they cant figure out why, down from 20 to 16 since my last oil change. This is my second Dodge and I have had nothing but problems with both, I would never buy another Dodge again nor would I recommend someone buy one.

• 

  No more dodge - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By no more dodge - October 11 - 2:00 am

  After three years of major repair bills Ive finally given up. Rack & pinion out at 60K and average repair bill around $2K per year. Now it has a mysterious starting problem that has put it in the shop for 4 weeks straight that the mechanics cant figure out. I bought another vehicle last week.

• 

  Be Very Careful !! - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By phuston - October 9 - 2:00 am

  My 2000 Intrepid has 80,003 miles, almost all highway. I have all receipts for scheduled maintenance. The engine blew today- and I mean blew up. The horrific sound of metal scraping on metal. Luckily, I have a mechanic in the family that can replace. The dealer wanted $ 400 to look inside and over $ 3,000 to replace. I have looked at numerous web sites showing customer dissatisfaction with the 2.7 engine, problems with blown engines over 70 K miles etc. I have owned 4 Dodge/Chryslers and this will be the last.

• 

  So unhappy - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Lang - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Leased a 1999 Grand Caravan Sport SE. I loved it and decided to by a new one when my lease was up. Bought a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport. I hate it! I kept telling the dealer I wanted the same exact options I had in the 99 and was told they were not available, so I settled! The 2002 has a rougher ride and Ive had problems with my parking brake. It doesnt release completely on the first try and have to pull over and put it on again and release it. Sometimes it takes 3 tries before it releases. Had it back to the dealer twice and they say there is nothing wrong. Every time I drive this Van, I feel like I made a big mistake and cant waite to get rid of it!!

• 

  So unhappy - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lang - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Leased a 1999 Grand Caravan Sport SE. I loved it and decided to by a new one when my lease was up. Bought a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport. I hate it! I kept telling the dealer I wanted the same exact options I had in the 99 and was told they were not available, so I settled! The 2002 has a rougher ride and Ive had problems with my parking brake. It doesnt release completely on the first try and have to pull over and put it on again and release it. Sometimes it takes 3 tries before it releases. Had it back to the dealer twice and they say there is nothing wrong. Every time I drive this Van, I feel like I made a big mistake and cant waite to get rid of it!!

• 

  dodge - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By bender - October 4 - 2:00 am

  It seems to be a rough ride

• 

  Everything Breaks - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Joe Vdiddy - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I had less then 36,000 miles on my car and the heat and air conditioning stopped working. The car gets a moldy smell that I have brought back to the dealer 5 times for and they cant figure out what the problem is. The break sensor started going off 3 months into ownership and I have had the breaks looked at and now replaced but the light continues to go on around corners. The guy at the dealership says we can disconnect the fuse-great what happens when there is a real problem. The car

• 

  Not All Its Cracked Up To Be - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Dan - September 30 - 10:46 am

  I have to say that I am disappointed with the Magnum. Dodge spends more money on advertising than they do materials for the cars. My car feels cheap. I should have popped for the Hemi performance package. At least I would have a good engine.