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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  Reliable sports car - 1994 Dodge Stealth
  By Sam Casella - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a reliable, solid performer. People always think its newer than it is, thanks to its sensational styling. If they ask, I tell them about its outstanding comfort, excellent build quality, mechanical toughness and relatively good fuel efficiency. Bought new, at over 100,000 miles it has proven to be a great ride and a great buy too.

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  BEST BEAST - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By CHUCK GOINS - December 17 - 2:00 am

  OIL CHANGE EVER 4500 MILES OTHER THAN THAT I PUT A WATER PUMP IN IT WHICH COST $330.00.

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  Love My Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Kelly - December 16 - 2:16 pm

  This is the second Neon which I have owned. I would still have my 98 if it wouldnt have been killed in a car accident. They are cute cars that are very reliable and give me above basic transportation at a good price that I was looking for.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By hatethiscar - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This car has been one huge disapointment. Chrysler has ignored my complaints about costly major repairs than began a few miles after the warranty expired. I replaced the rack and pinion system right after the warranty was up. It has mysterious front end clunks that nobody can explain. Ive replaced tensioners in the drive chain. The electronic door lock on the passenger side is squealing loudly. Ive already replaced the rear lock actuator. The seals around all the doors droop and fall down often. I also get a lot of water under my feet that soaks the mats but dont know where its coming from. My seat frames are now rusting.

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  This car is excellent in all catagories. - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By 98stratuses - December 16 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car with 28000 miles on it in August of 2000. We havent had any trouble with his car except front brake replacement,and replaced distributor cap. Total repairs for 14 months, $360.47,labor included.The speedometer just rolled 50000 today and it still drives like a new car. We went new car shopping. Decided we had as good as a new car so we decided to keep our 1998 Dodge Stratus ES.Go buy one. youll be glad you did.Buy the 1998 Dodge Stratus ES. Check it out in the Consumer Magazine. for 1998 model cars.

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  Ive Been Duped - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By NeonHater - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Trouble from the beginning, that summarizes the ownership of this Neon. Ive had the entire AC replaced twice. In warranty the first time, out of warranty the second time. Now, at 39,000 miles (I only drive it to work and back about 100 miles a week) the head gasket went out. Cost me $1405 to get it fixed. I went to Edmunds and found out its only worth about $1600. Yes, I was duped. But, you can avoid it by staying away from Chrysler.

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  Trading in Iroc for Z-24 - 1992 Dodge Daytona
  By Ex-Dodge Dude - December 16 - 2:00 am

  The looks sold me right away on the car and I figured being the little brother of the Iroc R/T, this bird should fly... NOT. The seats dont support the upper back and visibility for shoulder checking is almost nil. Use stick-on convex mirrors. Dodge holds up to its name in rust, although all the flairing holds in alot of junk. Since some bad experiences on icy highways with almost new tires, this Iroc is getting replaced with the same year Z-24. Just goes to show, looks arent everything.

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  Intake Gasket - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By jcronin27 - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used off a Ford lot. Noticed it using oil within 2 weeks but no oil leaks. Had to go to the dealer once a week or so to have oil added so that they could "chart" the oil use. Finally had to insist that they fix it or take it back. Ended up being a bad intake gasket. I see from the other reviews (and heard from a Dodge dealer mechanic) that this is common in the 5.9 liter engines. I have an occasional rattle in the rear end on hard acceleration (like the differential is "slipping") Anyone out there had rear-end problems with the 4WD Durango? Wind noise with the window cracked is very bad at highway speeds.

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  DAKOTA - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By BIGJOHNSON - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Quality is good. Repair is moderate. But it runs good and has power and a smooth ride.

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  Durango LTD - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By TIBBY - December 14 - 8:36 am

  I love the new "Hemi" Durango Ltd. The only things I would change about it would be the front fender and hood design, and on the interior, the length of seatbelts in the front. Im a big guy,but have never had a problem with the length of seatbelts in any vehicle except this one. Overall, Dodge hit a homerun with the "Hemi" Durango.