1998 Dodge VIPER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
24,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 66.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine 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 10021863 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR STEERING GEAR AND CROSSMEMBER FRAME. HAS CONTACTED EVER DEALER WITHIN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, WHO HAVE ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT LICENSED OR CERTIFIED TO PERFORM THE REMEDY. CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED CAN NOT TELL CONSUMER WHERE TO GO AND HE HAS TO FIND DEALER ON HIS OWN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10237221 · 2008-08-06 (August 6, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE VIPER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BREATHER HOSE ON THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED LARGE OIL SPOTS WHEREVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BREATHER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013272 · 2002-07-03 (July 3, 2002)
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SHIP FOR SERVICE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE RECALL AND REQUESTED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER STATES HAS NO TIME OR THE MONEY TO HAVE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO AN HOUR DESTINATION FOR RECALL SERVICES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013272 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V120000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2001-04-11 (April 11, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RACING OPTION (ACR OR GT2). THE 5-POINT RACING SEAT BELT HARNESS, WHICH IS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VIPER MAY NOT MEET THE VOLUNTARY LOAD SPECIFICATIONS SET FORTH BY THE FIA (FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE L'AUTOMOBILE).
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HARNESS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: THE 5-POINT RACING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗