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:

• 

  Redesigned Lemon - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By pensionman - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Experience has been awful. After one year 1997, the engine was replaced. Later in 1997 the transmission was replaced. In 2001 the transmission was replaced again. The second transmission had only 60,000 miles on it. This vehicle has had numerous repairs including electrical problems. The slider door power lock just broke, breather elements etc... Total repairs since 1996 have exceeded $20,000. Every yeat the car costs approx 800-1000 in repairs.

• 

  Very Unreliable - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By Kayla - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car since Ive had it. $3000 worth of fix-its in the past month!!

• 

  This car is a lemon. - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By MC819 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Our department received this vehicle just over a year ago. We do not utilize it very much and have only put on about 5,000 miles so far. The cars mileage total is now 52,000. In the last year we have had the car the shop so many times for so many problems that Ive lost track. The biggest problems were electrical and brakes although recently it also blew a head gasket and right now it is in for a new radiator. One of my coworker also has the misfortune to own one and has had front end problems, brake problems and engine problems as well. L e m o n!

• 

  Great when motor runs - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By abomb - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I looked into geting a steatlh after seeing my friends 91 twin turbo. They are grat cars with awsome power looks and plenty of great features. They only problem is the engines dont last. Mine has 81,000 miles on it three days after I bought it I spun an bearing and that it, new engine. My frind with the 91 did the same a couple of weeks before I bought mine now they are both in the same shop getting the engines rebiult, very expensive. I still like the car and cant wait to get it back.

• 

  Great car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By AlOrlando - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I drive alot for business, and have not been let down or disappointed. The 2.4L engine has plenty of power for highway driving and gets good mileage. Just turned 96000 miles, and have replaced only battery, brakes, tires, drive belt, filters and plugs so no complaints there. Plenty of room inside, all though the roof line could have been a little higher. A 6 foot driver will brush the top on occaison. Good deal for the money, seats 5 people - no problem. Like the new ones, and would consider another Dodge.

• 

  A GREAT TRUCK - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Dodge/Chrysler Fan - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new and aside from a few minor fit and finish problems it has been great. It has always been reliable and is as tough as a truck can be. I would highly reccommend one for anyone who is looking for a used value.

• 

  LIKE IT ALLLLLOT - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By RANDYP3 - October 23 - 10:20 pm

  PURCHASED 2002 STRATUS R/T COUPE, FIRST CAR FOR 15 YRS. IVE BEEN DRIVING PICKUPS AND HATED CARS; WELL IM TURNING 50 AND TRYING TO STAY YOUNG, SO FAR I LOVE THIS CAR. KIDS CANT BELIEVE IM DRIVING CAR,ITS SATIN PEARL WHITE W/LEATHER INTERIOR.AUTOMATIC THOUGH,

• 

  Bluetooth - 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jerry - October 23 - 9:51 pm

  Bluetooth not standard and expensive to install. Should be standard equipment

• 

  MINE - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By MIKE WILLMAN - October 23 - 2:00 am

  NUMEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, BAD RACK AND PINION 6000 MI, BAD FRONT ROTORS, 1500 MI, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED AGAIN 21000 MI, REARS STRUTS ANS SPRINGS REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF NOISE CLUNKING OVER BUMPS, BAD TIE ROD END, 8000 MI, BAD MOTOR IN POWER WINDOW DRIVERSIDE, SEAT PANS RUSTED AND WERE PAINTED, 4 TIRES REPLACED DUE TO BAD RACK AND PINIONJ AT 22,OOO MI, IS THIS ENOUGH??????

• 

  Way to go Dodge - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By First Dodge - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Great Suv I have had this truck for 3 years and have only spent 600.00 in repairs, including tires. The only two problems i have had in the 3 years I have owned it are An expensive front end alignment and a crank shaft sensor.