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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  My 1991 Stealth R/t - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By R/t Driver - January 8 - 2:00 am

  The car is great. I have had a few problems with it to be honest. The entire front end fell apart on me. I had to replance control arms trailing links ball joints cv shafts and tie rod ends all in one project. I went to the dealer and the cost of all of this was over the cost of the car. I ended up devoting two weeks of my time and $900 + in parts for the stealth. It handles great now. I also have a few porblems with the transmission. The second gear syncro is horrible. afWhen cold the thrani grinds into second even after double clutching to stop the motion of the intermediate shaft. It is an expensive repair.

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  HEAD GASKET - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By neonrt - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Dodge seriously needs to get off the butt and recall the dodge neon head gasket. Im getting ready to replace mine, but the repair is costly and i really dont want to do the work but im not going to pay someone for something that i can do. Dodge on the other hand has had many complaints though different people and still no response from dodge. Its bullshit and dodge needs to show customer support. I will never buy another dodge and i hope that if you have a neon and have replaced the head gasket, to call dodge and complain, also if you have a neon and have not replaced the head gasket, get ready to do so!

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  Nice car with some reliability issues - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By KLJ - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven this car for over 8 years. Styling is still beautiful, and doesnt look "dated". I have always liked driving this car, its roomy and comfortable. We had some problems with it (transmission, AC, engine) at 38,000 to 60,000 miles, but since has been exremely reliable. This car is fun to drive on the highway, and cruises smoothly at 70-75 mph.

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  Dodge! Oh Ya 3.3 - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By Dynasty Fan - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Not a Looker(granny style) But quick, quiet, and comfortable.

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  Wow what a great vehicle - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Its2Easy - January 8 - 2:00 am

  what can i say. dodge did a great job.

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  Terrible Transmission/Radiator Problems - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By vicoman - January 8 - 2:00 am

  What moron thought of placing a 2.4L engine in a van? This is the most gutless vehicle I have ever driven in my life! In addition, we purchased the vehicle with 42k miles on it and had it in the shop 4 times in 2 months. 3 radiators and a rebuilt transmission later, the van seems to run like it should have when purchased. I will never purchase a dodge product again!

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  Great truck after modifications. - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Stoney - January 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used with 32,000 miles on it. Its the 2000 Dakota SLT V8 4.7, all time 4x4 w/locking diffs. I like the all-time 4x4 because it grabs around corners, but you loose acceleration when starting from stopped position. This is a good truck as stock. OK power, and looks great. It will get you anywhere. A little costly on the gas. This truck with modifications is great. I changed air intake,put in headers, cat-backs, and a mod-chip, and its STRONG! Also get 1-2 miles per gallon more, when Im not flooring it. Theres a new magnum V8 HO engine in the Dakotas that puts out more power. I would look into a Dakota with this engine if I was looking to buy.

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  never again - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By what was I thinking? - January 7 - 2:00 am

  After just 2 years and 34,000 miles, Im told that my Durango needs $3800 worth of essential repairs, including suspension. Excuse me, but we have maintained this car as if it were one of our children and now its not safe to drive? Even the dealer said he was appalled at the problems. Never again, Chrysler!

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  13.8 in 1/4 mile all stock! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By pectorals - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Very fast and stylish for the money even with dealer mark-ups. I would recommend this car over WRX and EVO.

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  Read reviews before you buy a vehicle - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By spidey - January 6 - 10:00 am

  We have had nothing but problems with this van. On the drive home, the van would lose power and then a second later start going again. We didnt think anything of it until smoke poured out of the hood when the a/c compressor locked up. We have 3 brake jobs on the van, air compressor, serpentine belt, tune-up, fuel filter, rear drive shaft, tie-rods, sway bar bushings, sway bar, front struts...is that all....and at the moment the van is in the garage having a bearing replaced somewhere in the drive train. The mechanic also said the boots on the rear drive shaft are torn already! This vehicle has sucked us dry to the tune of $5k.