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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  Got a Lemon - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By bjsinn - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Never have A/C installed after purchase! So many problems! At about 12,000 needed new shocks. At about 30,000 the tranfer case needed replaced. At about 45,000 engine block crack! Battery dead before 3 years of use! Not used for 4 wheeling, just basic driving! One big problem!

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  Nine years with Dodge Dakota SLT Ext. Ca - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By Frank Klee - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Nine years ago, I bought a new 1994 Dakota SLT Extended Cab with the 3.9L V6 engine, auto transmission, power windows locks and mirrors. The truck has never failed me during cold winters (Chicago)and scorching summers---except once when I let the battery run out. No major problems ever, just minor irritants: radio ground wire disconnected, transmission sometimes starts only in neutral, and the gas gauge sensor quit after 7 years. I recommend the Dakota highly.

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  All around good American car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Angel - October 18 - 4:23 am

  I love driving my Caliber. Its very cute but it also has a masculine handsome feel and handle to it. We also own a gas guzzling SUV, so when we went looking for a second car we wanted something safe, fuel efficient, roomy and stylish looking. Also with having 2 toddlers we definitly needed 4 doors with leather. Caliber was our man or woman! Love it

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  Best (worst) of both worlds - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By goodandbad - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought car new for my wife. Head gasket went at 30k just before warranty. At 65k again! Wanted me to pay for labor (maybe $300 on $600 bill) but I whined and they said Chrysler picked it up. At 100k it went again and Im pretty sure we split the cost with the dealer.

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  very pleased!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By grear car - October 17 - 3:10 pm

  Have owned this veh. for 3 months and I just have to say I LOVE IT! just have very minor issues like one piece of trim needed replacement , just took it to the dealership for an oil change while there they did some tsbs on the harness , there was some squeaking noise coming from the left rear tire, turn out it was the emergency brake cable at the rear suspension just needed some spray lubricant and the noise is gone!The radio location makes sense when you have the NAV (REU) one can rest the hand on the shifted while using the nav controls. VERY PLEASED so far!

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  Chrysler, you can do better than this! - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By Ronald47 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Transmission has been rebuilt twice at our expense. Since its last rebuild 6 months ago, it has gone into failsafe mode twice Aamco washed their hands of it. Other items that have required repair or have stopped working have been the electric window gear mechanisms, memory electric seats, alarm system, odometer, speedometer, and cruise control. The Infinity sound system developed a screeching problem. A/C cuts out while accelerating. Had a wheel balance problem when the car was new and got into a major finger pointing contest between Chrysler and Goodyear gave up fighting it and still have it.

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  Dodge Avenger - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Froggie - October 17 - 2:00 am

  We have had good luck with this car. Besides being fun to drive, its sporty without the sporty price. The car has all leather and gadgets not common to some cars. Such as the one touch window rolldown and garage door opener built into the sun visor.

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  3s a charm, third TRANNY that is !!!! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tired - October 17 - 2:00 am

  With less than 36K our Grand Caravan is on its third transmission. The first tranny lasted 32K, the second 3K, and your guess is as good as mine on the current tranny. The service from the dealer we purchased from has been great, but I want a reliable van. If that isnt bad enough when our van was returned after the third tranny, I noticed the steering started to vibrate the entire van when turning corners at low speeds. It was fixed under warranty of course but my warranty is up shortly and I have lost faith. Take it for what ever its worth, thought I should let people know.

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  GOOD EXTERIOR!!! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By DURANGO - October 17 - 2:00 am

  VERY NICE TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. SUPERVE EXTERIOR DESIGN-NOT TOO BULKY AND OR SQUARE. EASY MAINTENANCE ACCESS ON THE ENGINE. LOVE THE V8 POWER....

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  Mexican Hemi, Mexican Transmission, Made in Canada - 2017 Dodge Challenger
  By JP - October 16 - 9:27 pm

  I was getting my American built Ram 4x4 serviced on another Factory Recall so I had some time to test drive a new Challenger T/A 392 (6.4 Hemi) 6 Speed Manual. Cloth type fabric seats were ok but non-ventilated and lacking the overall comfort of the leather or suede seats other Challengers have. Front A Pillars will challenge you to see in front of you. Backing up is all but impossible without the Back Up Camera on the 8.4 Screen. The overall performance was as expected and put a smile on my face. Clutch force was agreeable with my old knees. Excellent Electronics and Nav. I guess the ONLY real issue I have with this All American Muscle Car Icon is that the Engine and Transmissions are Made in Mexico. Then, because of NAFTA, Fiat gets to ship them to Canada where the Challenger is assembled and then shipped to America for $1,047 that the Consumer has to pay. My Ram 4x4 was made in America with a Hemi Engine but American Transmission and drive train BEFORE Fiat took over Chrysler. So, FIAT now owns Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep and builds them between Mexico and Canada (some in America) and sells them here in America for $49,757 before tax, tag, and title... No thanks...I hope President Trump pulls us out of NAFTA. God Bless American Jobs and American Workers.