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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  Update to my review from 8/6/10 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By jagon91 - August 13 - 6:20 pm

  Fell in love with the car and my only problem then was the hard shift in the transmission. Now not only does it do that all the time but my mpgs have gotten worse. My steering column has gotten stuck while driving around a corner under a bridge which in turn messed up my turn signal lever. Also the sentry key is a joke. New battery every 2 weeks for that thing. not cheap at $8 a piece. The key died and I got stranded over an hour away from home in a small town that had only had a gas station. Talked to dodge about my problems but they wouldnt do anything to help at all. They wanted me to replace my key for $245! Never will I buy from dodge again.

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  Not what I expected - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By slindom - August 9 - 8:12 pm

  We have owned this car since it had 21,000 miles and was a good car till about 30,000 then the injectors started going one at a time. It was under warrenty so took it to local dealer to be fixed they would only change one at a time as they went out so was back four times before it was done. Now car has about 70,000 and is having shifting problems it will downshift for no reason even at highway speeds which cant be good for the engine or trans. Have had it to dealer not under warrenty anymore so costs 99.95 every time for them to test it only to tell me nothings is wrong. What a joke my advice is if you have this car dump it before you reach 70,000

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  Journey To Hell - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By journeytohell - August 9 - 5:24 pm

  My "2009" Journey was a beautiful show room car and thats all the good I can say about it. This car is a LEMON! New rotors and brakes every 10,000 miles. Wont start 3 times a week. Every time I turn the wheel I have this loud grinding noise like the wheels are going to fall off but, dont bother taking it in to the dealer because they will have it for days and then tell you they have no clue whats wrong and now that the warrenty is up they dont care if its an exsisting problem or not, your S.O.L. My advise dont buy a Dodge......

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  Cant take a JOURNEY - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By lucky007 - August 8 - 1:02 pm

  Well it seems that I have joined an elite group. I bought a 2011 LUX in April and have only seen it for about 3 weeks. It sure likes the dealers lot more than my garage. I have 2300 miles on it and most of which has been put on by the dealership. They test drive it alot and take it home for the week-end to see if they can get it to duplicate the problems. The battery goes dead for no appearent reason. The engineers cant figure it out. Dodge at first said that there were no appearent problems, then I showed them all the issues that you all have posted. It was sure an eye opener to them!!!!!Today I got a phone call for them telling me that I have to talk to Chyrsler.

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  Intrepid---241,000 miles-- - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By joyce27 - August 8 - 6:21 am

  Well, I have decided after driving my 2001 Intrepid for 241,00 miles, it warranted a review for consumers. I did not have any mechanical issues with the car until it reached the 170,000 mark. I have always maintained the normal with the required oil changes, etc. At the 100,000 mark...one of the cooling fans quit working..timing built, alternater replaced,...I loved my Intrepids solid performance and was not ready to purchase a different automobile, decided to make the necessary mechanical repairs. To my pleasant surprise my Intrepid is reached 241,000 miles!!!

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  Leaves me stranded with two kids - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By shellwagg - August 7 - 12:36 pm

  I bought my Journey in March 2009. I had no problems for about a year but I did not put many miles on it that first year. Then I had the brake problems like everyone else. Here is my big problem. Sometimes my car just wont start. I had the battery replaced and all was well for about a month. Now it has started up again. I got stuck at the mall last night. Also, we have had a leak in our raditor hose. My car almost over heated not too long ago. We used that stuff the clogs the hose and it has held so far. Anyone have any problems like this?

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  not as bad as expected - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By moncton - August 6 - 9:31 am

  bought this car last winter for $2,000/135,000km. Spent some on new front rotors & pads, new plugs, flush coolant. after 6 months, replace brake lines (ouch) 1,000. checked mpg today 24 mpg imperial, mixed hwy & city. 9.7L/100km. not too bad, burns a little oil, nice ride, smooth.

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  I thought i would hate it but i love it - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By evolanceroz - July 31 - 3:26 pm

  When my BMW broke down i had to get a new vehicle. I work for a VW dealership and a customer traded this durango in. This truck was immaculant for the miles. I was used to 30 mpg but always in a small car. This SUV is comfortable and very fun to drive. I have heard and saw all the horror stories about this truck. I will not be getting rid of this vehicle at all!!!

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  Will miss you RIP 186510 miles!!!!! thank you - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By kjroadrunner68 - July 30 - 1:47 pm

  Bought my first car 2000. Sad day today 7-30-11 just drove it to the junk yard to be crushed ending miles 186,510. I cannot complain about it to much. No major problems with anything only issue was A/C went about 5 years ago and driver side window seemed like it was always coming out of track. I would totally buy another one if they were still made. She was a good car and was a blast to drive in the New York winters!!!! Got $400 better then trading it in. Thank you for your loyal service. R.I.P.

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  Love My 2011 Dodge Nitro - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By johnherrera305 - July 29 - 6:26 am

  Excellent value for mid-size SUV. I love my Bright Silver Nitro. Its stands out on the road. Comfortable vehicle. Plenty of room for my needs. Fun to drive.