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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  Mechanical Lemon, Regret Buying - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By chrzanow - January 5 - 1:57 pm

  This car is a LEMON. 70,000 miles entire navigation and panel unit failed. 100,000 miles alternator died, transmission aux unit blew out, radiator failed, lots of oil leaks. 120,000 miles another alternator died, retractable doors fail, plastic parts on stow and go seats failed causing seat frame to not stow, cooling system leaking, and now warning lights keep coming on and off (ABS, airbag, etc) for no reason. This car is junk. I will NEVER buy a Dodge product again. I should have learned with my 1998 Caravan. That carÂ’s transmission blew out at 100,000. Now at 150,000 the computer keeps dying and not allowing the car to start.

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  Bad car (LEMON) - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By melindaed5172 - January 5 - 8:50 am

  This is the first time I have bought a new car and had issues. 1. Klunking sound when shifts (Chrysler said this is normal) 2. Trunk leaks when you open it and it has rained. (Factory default, nothing I can do about this) 3. Stalled on me at stop light. (Nothing found wrong.) 4. Cant reach to open the door when it is opened all the way (Factory issue, nothing they can do about this. 5. Sounds like the powersteering is going bad , chirps like a bird sometimes. (couldnt find anything wrong) 6. Sloshing sound in car when at low speeds going forward and backward( Nothing found) So you see they dont stand behind their product. Thinking about a class action suit.

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  Its a Pile of Junk - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By carman97 - January 4 - 7:53 pm

  my family bought a 06 Durango SLT in December of 2010 for me when i turn 16, so far most of the plastic on the seat belts has fallen off, the motor and the transmission needs full replacing because it burns oil and its lazy and doesnt want to shift into second gear. What was Dodge thinking in 2006??

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  Its a matter of taste - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By demikarr - January 4 - 12:03 pm

  I bought this car as a used vehicle with 38k miles on it. 10 months later I now have 75k miles. Not one issue with the maintenance (except for the brakes) or performance. Mileage is outstanding with normal 28mpg average in combined city/hwy settings. I am 64" tall and have no problem with comfort. I have taken 5 on a 200 mile trip with minimal discomfort...

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  just bought my third dakota. - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By dokotaguy22 - January 2 - 11:26 pm

  great truck. i just traded in my 02 dakota sport quad cab 4x4 v8. for a 2006 dakota slt quad cab 4x4 v8. be for that a had a 95 sport 2wd. these trucks are tough. they can really take a beating. i live in wisconsin. we have rough winters. really wet rainy seasons. this truck can haddle any thing. i loved off roading in my 02. best 4x4 i have ever ownd. i pulled out some chevys. and a couple fords. this deer season. i highly recomend this truck if you do alot of out door activitys. or just want a good/safe winter vehical. very fun. very reliable. very powerfull. very best deal. none of the other compair. not even half of the full size trucks

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  2011 Citadel V8 Hemi - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By vict65 - December 31 - 8:54 am

  Love this car. Just purchased a 2011 "leftover" for a great value. This car has high quality features and is a real looker. I go places and I get unsolicited comments from people on how much they like my car.

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  Dodge Caliber SXT (AT) is Worth the Purchase - 2012 Dodge Caliber
  By my2012caliber - December 30 - 5:22 pm

  Despite what you may have heard or read, I can only say, that the Dodge Caliber SXT is a vehicle you have try for yourself. Being the first to review here, and after 3 weeks of shopping and test driving other vehicles within the same price range, the Caliber SXT had me sold. Most impressive was its handling, 32mpg highway, quiet motor, and over all, a total “solid” feel of the vehicle while offering the most outstanding acoustic noise barrier. It feels rugged - like a jeep or truck, while at the same time, comfortable like a four door sedan. Ive always been a dodge owner from trucks to sedans, and Dodge spared no expense by simply bringing it all together in one small “hatchback”.

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  Great Car !!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By debby_robinson - December 29 - 7:54 pm

  I purchased my 2004 Dodge Neon new and now have over 210,000 miles. The only maintenance other than routine, has been the replacement of ball joints and the sway bar link and bushings. If they still made this car I would buy it all over again.

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  does not honor warranty - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By tuffoldman - December 28 - 9:04 pm

  I own a 06 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 3.7 v6. I am overall satisfied with the truck, but not with Dodge itself. I bought my truck in Feb 07, important date: the transmission went out the other day so I looked up dodge warranty and found out that an extended warranty for the 06 dakota powertrain was provided if you bought your truck on or after July 07. 4 months from the day I bought mine Feb 07. So dodge eventhough its the same year and all will not honor my warranty due to the 4 month difference on day of purchase. DODGE/CHRYSLER, I HAVE BOUGHT MY LAST VEHICLE FROM YOU AND WILL RECOMMEND TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THE SAME. MAYBE THATS WHY THE JAPANESE ARE AHEAD OF US IN CUSTOMER SERVIC

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  Awsome Car!!! - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By speedyg1 - December 23 - 8:55 pm

  Ive had my V6 Charger 6 months & love it! This is my daily comuter & I love every minute in this car. The body lines & styling are beautiful, mine is Toxic Orange so it really turns heads! A bit dissappointed the wheels are caps so, new wheels are in the near future. Interior is layed out nicely. Took a 1200 mile trip and found the seats are not as comfortable for that long of a drive. Love the touch screen and heated seats. Rides extremely well & quiet. Surprised the racing features under the front end came standard on the ralley ed. Performance is awsome, had it up to 140 & still hadnt hit the floor! Mileages is around 27 freeway. Found the V8 had more road noise & didnt ride as nice.