Dodge VIPER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 63 complaints (17.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
Air Bags: 11; Electrical System: 8; Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Suspension: 6; Steering: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 5; 2000: 2; 2002: 7; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 6; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 7; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024849 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
WORK HASN'T BEEN DONE RECALL #998 TO REPLACE FRAME OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER NAME IS HOPKINS DODGE SERVICE ,MANAGER [XXX], [XXX]. NO ONE HAS CONTACTED HIM ON HIS REPAIR IN 24 DAYS . DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, WORK HASN'T BEEN DONE AS OF YET.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155720 · 2006-04-19 (April 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE DRUG THE GROUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED AND AGREE THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL, # 01V313000 CONCERNING STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A FRACTURE IN THE FRAME. THE RECALL INDICATES A FRAME SEPARATION CAN ACCRUE, HOWEVER BOTH REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863405 · 2000-06-12 (June 12, 2000)
WEAK POINT IN REAR TOW LINK MOUNT WHEN BRAKING EXCESSIVELY AND CORNERING CAUSED FRAME TO BREAK. *AK,
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8024002 · 2002-12-09 (December 9, 2002)
WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING IN RIGHT FRONT AREA OF VEHICLE AND GOES TO THE RIGHT. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8024002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367235 · 2010-11-23 (November 23, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED. OCCASIONALLY, AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON IT WOULD RESET ITSELF AND AT OTHER TIMES IT WOULD BE AN HOUR BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE COMPONENTS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPONENTS EACH TIME…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11330017 · 2020-06-22 (June 22, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SOMETHING LIKE A RUBBER/ELECTRICAL SMELL WAS NOTICED. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEEN I HAD SMOKE FILLING THE REAR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND AS I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON MY REAR LIFT GATE GLASS EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES. IT WAS AS LOUD AS A SHOTGUN GOING OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY I HAD STOPPED MY CAR AS IT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WASN'T A PIECE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11330017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324993 · 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)
VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES AT 10, 500 MILES BY NOT STARTING. PUSH THE START BUTTON ONE TIME AND THE CAR WOULD GO DEAD. IF I LIFTED UP ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, THE CAR WOULD START WITH NO ISSUES. LET GO OF THE CABLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED, I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. PROBLEM SEEMED OK. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY TEMP SENSOR AND THAT IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325044 · 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)
THE FUEL TANK LEAKS AT THE FILL NECK WHEN YOU FILL CAR PAST 3/4 FULL. IT LEAKS BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED. THE FUEL LEAKS DOWN THE FRAME AND EXHAUST PIPE TO THE GROUND. IN 2001-2002 DODGE HIRE A DIFFERENT (CHEAPER) COMPANY TO MAKE THEIR FUEL TANKS. AS A RESULT THEY LEAK AT TANK WHERE FILLER NECK ATTACHES. DODGE'S CORRECTION WAS TO PUT A HATCH FOR FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT ON THE R/T MODELS BUT NOT ON THE GTS MODELS. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE (ON EVERY CAR FORUM I FOUND) WITHOUT A RECALL. I WISH THIS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE A FIRE HAPPENS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 181,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325044 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1999: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 0; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1