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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  Avoid at ALL Costs!!! - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By anti-dodge - September 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is a member of the "Break-down of the Month Club". Its one major expense after another. Transmission went out with no warning signs, Headlights have quit functioning twice (entire switch assembly on the steering column had to be replaced three times), The check engine light has been on more that off with assorted sensors going out, fuel pump, windshield wipes quit working, sunroof motor had to be replaced, and various suspension repairs.

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  Beware of oil Sludge Engine after 90k... - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Marcus Williams - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Beware of oil Sludge Engine after 90k, I am an owner of a 99 Dodge Durango. Other than the $30k I paid for it, and the extra $5k Im having to spend in repairs, it drives decent. The truck has a problem with the oil pump causing the oil pressure to drop which causes the engine to burn out overtime. I found this to be a problem in many Dodge Durangos after going to consumer Affairs and reading about it. Its been over 30 instances of this same problem. If you want to read about it, heres the article http://consumeraffairs.com/automotive/do dge_dur_oil.html

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  Mopar - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Bonehead - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Prior Caravan owner. Feel the 3.3 engine is the most proven and reliable. The SXT package is awsome. Only Fault Chrysler has in its interior design is the column shift when in drive is right in the way of the Stereo volume control.

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  Could be better - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By kjfitzia - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1997 Dakota Club Cab - should have stuck with it, but wanted the four door. Initial quality low - bad leaf springs, paint missing inside doors. Std Detroit trick of cheaping parts and removing options to keep price in line. SLT+ pkg in 97 came with alarm system, same pkg in 2000 didnt. Did have prb. with limited-slip - fixed under warranty, hasnt come back. Warped rotors at 10k, was told to expect further problems due to poor airflow.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dsspntd - September 19 - 10:00 am

  The things fixed since buying the van new : Power window and door actuators, exhaust manifold(cracked shortly after new) , power steering (excessive leak), front rotors (warped 30,000), onto my 3rd water pump within the last year and its leaking again. I took a chance on buying this Dodge Caravan and put my faith in American made. Sorry never again, maybe Buick. Ive owned a Buick Skyhawk, Ford Mustang, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick LeSabre, Acura Integra, Dodge Colt, VW Passat (all 80s and 90s models)

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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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  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

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  Good thing it has a warranty... - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By mikeclark103 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The interior has plenty of room, its fairly comfortable, has decent speakers and cold a/c. My car is less than a year old, burns oil, has a rod kncoking in the motor, stalls after exiting freeway on occassion, rattles at idle. The grey dye used on the steering wheel has already worn off and the dashboard is chipping. The car is fun to drive, I use it mostly on the freeway. I will be offloading this car to a used car dealership as soon as I can afford a Toyota.

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  98 Expresso, DOHC - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By DOak - September 8 - 2:00 am

  My Neon leaked oil like a sieve from after merely 5000 miles. Head gasket replaced under warranty at 49000 miles, and is ready for another head gasket again, with no warranty this time! I know of 20 year old cars with original headgaskets in their engines. This was to be my daughters car, but I dont trust it. As far as Im concerned, the car is really a pile of junk and has turned me off to any potential new vehicle purchase. I can do better buying a used vehicle someplace.

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  The car that could & Dealership didnt! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Outlawjedi - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, I got one of the last ones off the assemly line. I custom ordered the car. My main complaint was the dealership, Tupelo Auto Sales (Tupelo,MS) service department is the worst dealership I have ever dealt with. They swindled me out of nearly 2,000 dollars in faulty work & breaks. An example, they supposed to install mophar parts, well guess where they went to get my break pads, WAL-MART!. They never told me ANYTHING.The bill even shows Mophar break pads!!! Oh well guess I have to go WAY out of my way to have service done.