ne of the oldest and most storied brands in the history of American automotive manufacturing, Dodge has made cars and trucks for North America and beyond since it was founded by the Dodge Brothers in 1914. The company enjoyed a heyday as an independent brand in the 1910s and early 1920s, with their bestselling Dodge Model 30 out-competing the older, clunkier Model T Ford. During these years, Dodge established itself as both an upscale alternative to Ford and as a builder of sturdier trucks and vans useful to the burgeoning businesses of the age.
After the death of its founding brothers, Dodge was sold to the Chrysler group and remained under its umbrella for over 70 years. As engineering techniques improved, Dodge engines became bigger and sportier, with considerable focus on the six- and eight-cylinder configurations that remain popular today. The brand hit its stride during the 1960s and early 1970s with its legendary line of powerful muscle cars, many of which have proven their timelessness with re-releases in recent years.
Like their American counterparts, Dodge was slow to embrace the drive for efficiency that allowed foreign automakers to carve out market share in the United States. Dodge’s most enduring contribution to the new efficient-car market was the minivan, which significantly reduced fuel consumption for large families while maintaining adequate cargo space. Today, under the auspices of Chrysler and Fiat Motors, Dodge maintains a balanced lineup of minivans, crossover SUVs and efficient compact cars to reflect the diverse tastes of the car-buying public.
Though Dodge is renowned for building reliable and durable vehicles, the brand has accumulated a few mechanical issues over the years. Dodge power steering systems and transmissions both tend to leak in older vehicles, causing headaches for life-long lovers of the brand. The suspension systems–including struts and shocks–of certain Dodge SUVs and trucks, especially models from the 1980s and early 1990s, have been known to wear out faster than in comparable competitor vehicles, necessitating costly repair work. Other reported issues include wear and tear on the alternator and timing belts.
Although Dodge offers a best-in-class 5-year, 60,000-mile factory warranty, the brand’s proven reliability all but guarantees its vehicles two, three and even four times more use than that. Mechanical issues can arise in even the most well-maintained Dodge cars and trucks, necessitating costly repairs that can eat into drivers’ savings and set families’ finances back for years. To secure their financial future, many smart Dodge drivers in it for the long haul have added extended warranty protection to avoid paying out-of-pocket for repairs and maintenance.
There is a Dodge extended warranty for every budget and taste. Budget warranties that cover catastrophic issues like engine failure, transmission problems and suspension issues are affordable for even the most modest Dodge drivers, while more comprehensive policies that cover nearly everything that can go wrong with aging Dodge vehicles are available at surprisingly reasonable rates. One thing is certain: Dodge extended warranties save dedicated drivers valuable time, worry and money.