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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  2011 Dodge charger Rallye - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By davidnc - September 5 - 7:10 am

  I purchased the charger on aug 12,2011.First reaction was seemed a nice reliable car,the v6 offered enough hp(almost 300hp) for my needs .For my real muscle car I have a 95 stang with 460 in it . Had car 3 weeks I put 600 miles total, first week had to replace drivers door handle keyless entry issue Lador day weekend gages flashing offf and on couldnt start car nothing worked except for strobbing gages on an off which stopped after 10 minutes . My confidence in this car is now zero.Its at dealership.I havent even made my first payment Im glad I wasnt on road trip.Previous car wae 1995 jeep wrangler with 335,000 miles with no major issues too bad this car is already having them.

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  1999 Dodge Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By fcardenas88 - September 2 - 9:11 pm

  My mom bought this car new out of the lot back in 1999. She passed on to me with 100,000K when I graduated from high school. Car ran great but gas millage was horrible. The only thing I did not like about this car is that when you would drive it it was very heavy to drive and not smooth. It now has 192,000K and it still has the original tranmission and engine. Ive taken this car to Canada, Mexico and North Carolina and it did great and til this day it still runs great and looks good new too.

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  Great SUV - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By write_erase - September 2 - 1:40 pm

  We wanted to replace my wife’s 07 Lexus RX with a bigger vehicle so she test drove a 2012 Explorer and then the 2012 Durango. I went with her on the Durango test drive only so I cannot compare it to the Explorer, but I was totally impressed with the Durango after seeing how good it looks and driving it. It handles much better than our Lexus with hardly any body lean at all. I was so impressed that I did not see the need to test drive anything else. My wife liked the Durango better than the Explorer because of how it drove, the 2nd and 3rd row seat space was better, and the technology/controls are easier to use. For example the navigation in the Durango is a Garmin unit that is really easy to use, she said the Explorer navigation system seemed like it was going to be a lot more complicated and she might need to take a class to learn how to use the touch system. We did not want to get leather in this vehicle yet we were able to get a ton of other features. Most other brands make you buy their leather package to get push-button start, 2 driver position presets, rain sensing wipers, upgraded stereo, etc. I think a Honda I bought one time I had to buy their leather package just to get a sunroof. We got all these things and did not have to buy leather that we were not interested in. The base stereo in the Crew is a 9 speaker Alpine system with a 500 Watt amp. This is the base stereo and is not an extra charge, I was totally surprised to learn this when I saw the Alpine amp in the back. We also got the navigation which I think added a 40GB hard drive to store music on. I have never owned a Chrysler or Dodge vehicle in my life but this seemed like a really easy choice for both me and my wife after looking at the Durango up close.

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  New Citadel 5.7 Hemi Review - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By invicta - August 25 - 10:41 pm

  Pleasantly surprised. I had really wanted to get an Audi Q7 but the third row is unusable for anyone over 5 ft tall so my wife vetoed the Q7. We test drove the Enclave and Acadia, then finally the Durango Citadel. The Citadel handling is excellent and has some German qualities to it, it should since Mercedes is using the same platform! Interior materials are a huge upgrade from previous Dodge products I have seen, not quite Audi quality, but probably 90% there. The third row has room for life sized adults, I sat it in it and fit fine - and I am 6ft 1. The touch screen nav is easy to operate, bang for the buck with the Citadel is excellent in my opinion.

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  Went back to Dodge - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By jp384 - August 24 - 1:31 am

  After sinking large amounts of money into a Pacifica we traded it for the charger. Its everything I hoped it would be. Got it used so it needs the 60k service soon (at 58k now) but checked out on Carfaxs and we got the go ahead from our mechanic, along with an extend warranty. Handles better then my old Intrepid and much better then the v6 3 ton Pacifica. Best drive on highway 101 Ive ever had, and I know I have the power to pass if needed, along with fantastic brakes to stop. No knocks, trany problems or electrical problems but I dont hot rod it or floor it all the time. Very responsive and forgiving at the same time. If you buy used, take it to the mechanic first.

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  Big disappointment - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By raychel2561 - August 23 - 11:20 pm

  Bought 2010 Dodge Journey 8 months ago. In the last 3 months having problem with car, wont turn over. Reacts like a dead battery but everything works, radio, door chimes, lights. Neighbor tried to jumpstart but car still wouldnt start. Car finally started. Had WIN module replaced due to recall and thought that would fix the problem but 4 weeks later, car would not crank again. Took 30 minutes and over 5 tries then car finally turned over. Batter tested ok. Dealer say they cant find problem and dont think it is the starter. This is my 5th and last Dodge. I dont plan on buying another one. Too many complaints. Dont buy a Journey!

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  Possible Hemi Issue - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By david59wv - August 23 - 7:52 pm

  I love the way the car drives and handles. I am concerned over the 5.7L Hemi because when it goes into the fuel economy mode and running on 4 cylinders the car constantly has to switch 4 cylinders. This in turn gives the sensation the car has a dead miss. I have taken to dealership and they told me they all run like this so get used to it. I called the factory to discuss and possibly file a complaint but the factory rep was virtually rude. He informed me unless the dealership complained there was nothing he was going to do about it. I would advise anyone considering a purchase with a hemi engine to beware. If not resolved, will go back to GM product.

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  My wonderful P.O.S. - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By smalerie - August 23 - 10:42 am

  First my car was in the shop about 13 months after I bought it. March 2010 for the recall of the drivers side switch for the windows. A month later we noticed there was a foul smell. It got so bad it made me sick and any passenger. Turning recycled air on was the only way to get rid of it. My AWD transfer unit was leaking onto the exhaust! Covered under warranty no! $300 later brought it home. 5 days later stranded on a hill AWD unit had dislodged itself. They wanted $1,500 to fix. Called customer service and dropped it to $500. It was a manufacture defect but they wouldnt come out and say it. Changed brakes after begining of summer last year need to again. Windows stopped working again!

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  Worst Car Ever - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By deedee56 - August 19 - 1:01 pm

  If you read what people say then you need to help us with a solution. These cars are the worst ever and they all should be recalled and owners given a reliable car. Right now I am ready to file a lawsuit against Dodge. I think if they stand behind their vehicles then if they dont want a bad name should admit this is the worse car they ever made. You name it I replaced it.

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  Never Again - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By dukes5 - August 14 - 11:51 am

  Its a 2007 and within a couple of years, weve had A/C troubles, dashboard light failure, door locks and handles that dont work, heater fan settings that dont work, speakers quit working, dome lights quit working or work on occassion, window switch needed replacing, rust after 3 years!, rear seat is locked and wont fold down anymore, and thats just what I remember off the top of my head. In addition, the interior is classic American car design...poorly thought out and miserable. I have 130K on it, all highway miles. I havent had a lot of problems....so kudos for the mechanical aspects but a big F for everything else that you deal with on a daily basis. I cant wait to get rid of it