1996 Dodge VIPER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Steering: 1; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2006: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009926 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #998 ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING A DEALER TO REPAIR. *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009926 at NHTSA ↗
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 10166846 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)
1. NO PARTICULAR EVENT LEAD TO THE FAILURE 2. DIFFERENTIAL RING GEAR BOLTS/NUTS BECAME LOOSE CAUSING THE BOLTS/NUTS TO BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE RING GEAR AND CASE CAUSING THE CASE TO CRACK. GEAR OIL LEAKED FROM THE CASE. POSSIBLE RESULTS MAY BE SEIZURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL,SUDDEN STOPPAGE, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 3. 1996 DODGE VIPER R/T 10 WITH 42,000 MILES SINCE NEW 4. PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE, PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM INSURANCE COMPANY
Owner-reported narrative. 41,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378004 · 2011-01-20 (January 20, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE VIPER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAIDED OIL LINES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUBBED TOGETHER AND BURST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR FOR THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 03/03/11
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8024213 · 2002-12-11 (December 11, 2002)
THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DO RECALL CAUSE THERE WAS'NT ANY TECHICIAN THAT COULD DO THE WORK. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8024213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982817 · 1996-04-16 (April 16, 1996)
TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH THE CANVAS ROOF ALMOST FLEW OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984610 · 1996-05-17 (May 17, 1996)
THE CONVERTABLE TOP ALMOST FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984610 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V312000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2001-10-04 (October 4, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCE CRACKS AT THE WELDS OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET.
Consequence: THE CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO METAL FATIGUE AND DISLODGING OF THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND REINFORCE THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V313000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
Reported: 2001-10-04 (October 4, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCECRACKING OF THE STEERING RACK MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence: THE CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE STEERING RACK FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE STEERING RACK COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED STEERING LOOSENESS AND LAG.
Remedy: ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE A FIELD REPAIR KIT INSTALLED, CONSISTING OF LOWER FRAME RAIL REINFORCEMENT GUSSETS AND A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INFORMATION WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗