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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  Never Ever Again - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Blane - June 10 - 2:00 am

  80,000 miles and pray it makes it 20,000 more without gouging me to bad. Repairs include: relay switch, three sets of brake pads, one set of rotors, new tires at 22,000, head gasget, broken oil cap, broken trunk release, and new battery. Please put me out of the Dodge Misery. Marylanders, never go to Don Whites.

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  my blue lemon - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By mike &jess - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I leased this van because of its affordability. I have three children , all under the age of five. The van has been in the shop six times for the same problem, the emergency brake will not disengage, and causes the rear brakes to lock up. I need to use the emergency brake because my driveway is on a steep incline. I was only given a rental vehicle one time, they cant seem to fix the problem. Chrysler even came out with a procedure for this specific problem and it did not work!!! Im currently looking ino the lemon law. Anyone have a similar problem???

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  The good, bad, and ugly. - 2001 Dodge Viper
  By brett_summerer - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought my car 4/02. Took 3 months to wipe the grin off my face. By 9/02 it had been in the shop more than 30 days, and Ive now filed for the lemon law. Build quality and comfort are atrocious, but I still love driving it every now and again. Loved owning it, cant wait to get rid of it.

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  If the part could be replaced... it was - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By lpickard22 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I think I replaced every part of the car except the engine. I change my oilwhen Im supposed to, Ive had complete break jobs 3 times... $800 bucks a pop each time... I only have 90,000 miles... Ill never buy a dodge again.

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  Very poor mans sports car. - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By wer3 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Have owned a 90 Daytona for 12 years and have had many problems, mostly mechanical but also, door handles, pop up headlights, suspension, etc. If I had only known...

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  Dont buy - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Never Chysler - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Last car, Dodge Colt. Had it for 10 years. Thought the Caravan would be the same. Mistake! Came with defective window seals dumping water on the passenger side floor when it rained 1st 1000 miles-oil leak and shift indicator broke stranding me 100s of miles from home. Belts dont last. Ive lost track of the number of times Ive replaced them. One broke without warning. Ive had oil leaks, antifreeze leaks, squishy brakes and occasional stalls. At 85,000 miles the windshield wipers turn on intermittently, the belts are squeaking, the brakes need to be replaced again, the horn is broken, and the airbag has been recalled. Im not bothering to repair it

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  1997 Dodge Stratus 4 cylinder manual - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Dan in Maine - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a good basic car. The fuel mileage has been great as I get an average of 37 MPG in summer and 31 MPG in winter with my 4 cylinder standard. I had to replace a head gasket at 90,000.

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  Better off in a Hyundai - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Vaccaro Greaves - June 6 - 2:00 am

  My first & LAST experience with Dodge. Dad warned me...The horsepower is a joke. 6 disk CD changer has been replaced 3 times in the last 2 years as it would not release nor play CDs. Driver side auto window function is a joke has to be pressed 2 or 3 times for the window to go down by itself. The car shakes while i sit idling with foot on brake & they made a loud noise for a long time that the dealership said they couldnt fix. You have to practically stand at the car door for the keyless remote to work. Trunk does not latch easily, has to be slammed real hard. I had 2 Hyundais before this car and they were a LOT better.

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  Poor - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By thekimreys - June 6 - 2:00 am

  We are very dissapointed with our minivan. It is only a year old and we have already had it in the shop for three major repairs!!!!

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  buyer beware - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By thomas6 - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought the van for reasons as everyone (stowaway seats). A day later I notices that the rear door was about 3/4 of inch off to one side, took it back to the deadler to have it fix. The service man said that it was common problem with this model and there was they can do about it. Also I took the van in for wheel alignment they found a bolt missing from one of the front wheel axles.