Dodge Viper Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Dodge Viper options? We analyzed 10 model years (2005–2017) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Dodge Viper you plan to buy.
DODGE VIPER (2005–2017) has 31 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls. Top issues include electrical system (10 complaints) and air bags (8). 2006 model year has the most complaints (9). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Viper
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2017 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 31
- Safety recall campaigns
- 9
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2006 (9 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2016 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Average
Dodge Viper: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005–2017 Dodge Viper has 31 total complaints and 9 recalls. The top complaint components are electrical system (10), air bags (8), and suspension (6). Crash-related complaints number 10. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Electrical system accounts for 10 of 31 total complaints.
- Air bags account for 8 complaints.
- 2006 model year has the highest complaint count at 9.
- Electrical system failures
- Air bag deployment issues
- Suspension component problems
2006 (9 complaints) and 2005 (8 complaints) have the most complaints, driven by electrical and air bag problems.
2009, 2016, and 2017 have zero complaints, suggesting fewer reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Inspect electrical system for prior repairs or issues.
- Check air bag system functionality and recall completion.
- Have a mechanic inspect suspension and steering components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
9 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2017. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 31 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
31 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
AS MANY 2013-2015 DODGE VIPER OWNERS REPORT ONLINE, THE HORN TURNS ON AND OFF, STICKING ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITH NO CONTACT, RANDOMLY. MOST VIPER OWNER OF THIS YEAR MODEL ARE PULLING THE FUSE SO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS IS A PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG ASSEMBLY THAT IS TIED IN WITH THE HORN MECHANISM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VERY EXPENSIVE SIX FIGURE VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN BY DODGE IMMEDIATELY AS A RECALL AS THIS IS NEEDED FOR STATE SAFETY INSPECTION.
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 OF GLASS NO BIGGER THAN A DIME LEFT OF THE REAR GLASS. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DIDN'T GET CUT OR GLASS IN MY EYES. SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED I REMEMBERED THAT IF THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON THAT THE REAR GLASS COULD EXPLODE OUT. I THEN REMEMBERED THAT I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE RADIO CHANNEL AND MUST HAVE TOUCHED THE BUTTON FOR THE REAR DEFROSTER. MY DASH SCREEN WAS DIMMED SINCE I WAS RUNNING MY PARKING LIGHTS AND COULD NOT SEE MY RADIO BUTTONS AND INSTEAD PRESSED THE BUTTON TURNING ON THE REAR DEFROSTER INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CHANGE THE RADIO CHANNEL. SOMETHING ABOUT IF THE CARBON FIBER PANELING WAS TOUCHING THE GLASS IT COULD CAUSE A MISHAP. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON IT AND THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT THERE WAS ONLY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE MY GLASS AND ALSO I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO USE MY DEFROSTER IN THE FUTURE. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE OR WORSE CAUSE SOMEONE TO HAVE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ENSURED MY CAR WAS UPDATED TO PREVENT THIS FROM EVER HAPPENING. FCA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND CORRECT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM ASAP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT: 3700 RALEIGH ROAD PARKWAY W, WILSON, NC 27896, TEL: (855)217-8742 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DURING PRODUCTION, ADHESIVE WAS NOT ADDED TO THE SUB FRAME AND THE CARBON FIBER ROOF CAUSING AIR TO GET UP UNDER THE CARBON FIBER CAUSING THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,700.
I OWN A 2013 DODGE VIPER SRT, TURNED ON MY REAR HATCH WINDOW DEFROSTER WHILE DRIVING TO CLEAR MY REAR WINDOW FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM REAR HATCH AREA. I QUICKLY RUSHED TO TURN IF OFF, THE SMOKE STARTED TO CLEAR. SECONDS AFTER MY REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTER. A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEAR AT THE TIME OF SHATTERING, ALMOST LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I QUICKLY TURNED BACK HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOW AT THE DEALER AND DODGE IS NOT OWNING UP TO THE ISSUE. *TR
PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLS ITSELF DOWN AND THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH ACTUATES AND OPENS THE DOOR. THIS STARTED WITH JUST THE DOOR OPENING WHEN THE CAR WOULD SIT OVERNIGHT. IT THEN LATER PROGRESSED TO ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPENING THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS AWARE OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN(TSB) FOR THIS ISSUE REPLACING THE DOOR MODULE, LATCH, AND MICRO-SWITCHES. I AM STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER. CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER WAITING ON PARTS FOR THE TSB REPAIR. *TR
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 HAD DONE THAT ONCE IN THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS JUST WEAK.. SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE FOR APPROX. 900 MILES BEFORE IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE BATT TEMP SENSOR WAS BAD AGAIN.. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR TOR THE SECOND TIME AND THEN APPROX. 900-1000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE IS BAD AND THE HARNESS NEEDS REPLACED FOR THE BATTERY SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY FCA AS A CORPORATE VEHICLE. I AM THE FIRST CONSUMER OWNER. I THINK THIS VEHICLE HAS MANY ISSUES AND MAY NOT MEET ALL REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS ALLOWING FOR ITS SALE. I HAVE A SECOND SAFETY COMPLAINT IN THE SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
PICKED CAR UP FROM DEALER AFTER ANOTHER SERVICE COMPLAINT AND THE RADIO, PHONE, AND SEAT WERE NOT WORKING. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR FUSE LOCATION #11(POWER SEAT) HAD A DEAD SHORT AND KEPT THE BREAKER TRIPPED CONSTANTLY. I REMOVED THE BREAKER FROM THE CIRCUIT UNTIL I COULD RETURN FOR REPAIR. UPON RETURN TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THAT THE SEAT HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD BEEN COMPLETED RUBBED THROUGH THE SHEATHING AND WAS SHORTED TO THE SEAT FRAME. *TR
2008 MODEL DODGE VIPER SRT10 CONVERTIBLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED ENTIRELY MAYBE BEFORE A SOMEWHAT MINOR COLLISION. HAVE TALKED TO EMERGENCY AMBULANCE WORKERS AND WRECKER DRIVERS AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THIS WAS COMMON (3RD INCIDENT IN THE HOUSTON, TX AREA). *TR
FOOT CONTROL SWITCH BEZEL DEFECTIVE, CAN NOT REPLACEMENT PART. *TR
WHILE AT THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM MOTORSPORTS PARK IN BOWLING GREEN, KY, I WAS DRIVING THE ROAD COURSE, COMING DOWN THE STRAIGHT AWAY (BEFORE CORNER 15), WHEN I FELT MY CAR "JERK HARD" TO THE RIGHT CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAM INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE BACK RIGHT TIRE WAS TURNED IN AT 45 DEGREES AND CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. AT THE REPAIR SHOP IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR KNUCKLE BROKE, WHICH IS WHAT CAUSED ME TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ALSO CAUSING THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE CONSISTING OF REAR QUARTER PANEL REPLACEMENT, REAR BUMPER REPLACEMENT, AIR FOIL DAMAGE, BATTERY DAMAGE, FRONT AIR DAMAGE. *TR
my drivers door will come open with out touching the door handle, there was a recall on this in 2015, r-14/nhtsa15-178 but because my build date was after February Chrysler did not send me a recall on it will not fix it. this is not safe and they need to fix the problem and let the other viper owners know about this before somebody gets killed! Is there anything you can do to help get this fixed it does not cost that much to fix it but they need to let people know about it.
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Viper. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was parked and then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to failure of the rod bearing in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
My Viper is displaying the symptoms of your recall 15V-178 (see below) unsafe door release. I called Dodge and they said my vehicle was serviced for this recall in Sept 2015, but cannot produce receipt for the work. The same door lock problems as 15V-178 are now showing up on both of my doors. I would like to know if I have any recourse here? https://chrysler.oemdtc.com/246/safety-recall-r14-nhtsa-15v-178-outside-door-handle-switch-2013-2014-dodge-viper
2014 DODGE VIPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE 14V-529 ISSUES. *SMD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. *JB
The contact was driving a 2006 Dodge Viper. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear differential locked, causing the rear tires to not rotate. The rear of the vehicle then skidded and crashed into a ditch, and flipped, coming to a stop 100-150 feet upside down in the ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that the rear differential was previously serviced at a dealer. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. Medical attention was later required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for an air bag recall, and when asked the technician who performed the recall remedy why the air bags did not deploy, it was informed that the dealer did not have adequate software to complete the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,378.
THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, R13 AND VE4 BUT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THESE COMPLETED BECAUSE THE DEALER AND DODGE STATE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR WELL OVER 1 YEAR. I HAVE CALLED MANY TIMES TO BOTH THE DEALER AND DODGE BUT ALL I GET IS WE HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR THESE PARTS. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THESE TWO RECALLS BEING COMPLETED. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN TO DO HELP IN GETTING THIS TWO RECALLS COMPLETED? THANK YOU
I GOT A RECALL NOTICE BUT CANNOT FIND A DEALERSHIP WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE THAT IS WILLING TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE VIPER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, THE TURNING SIGNALS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHICH REDUCED VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WHEN BATTERY POWER WAS OUT. DOOR WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE TO THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HAD A FATIGUE FAILURE AT THE CABLE TO HANDLE JUNCTION. WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURS THERE IS NOTHING THAT ALLOWS ONE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF MISUSE BUT OF A POOR DESIGN. IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHERE BATTERY POWER IS LOST THE AFFECTED DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED. THIS FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY TO BE THE DRIVER DOOR AS IT IS MOST FREQUENTLY USED. ANY FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF TRAPPED OCCUPANTS IS UNLIKELY TO DISCOVER THIS PARTICULARLY IF A FIRE MELTS THE DOOR COMPONENTS. I SUSPECT THAT THE DOOR MECHANISM IS LIKELY COMMON TO MANY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS AND THUS FAR MORE IMPORTANT FOR INVESTIGATION.
I STARTED HEARING A CLUNK THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. I PULLED ALL 4 TIRES OFF TO GREASE THE CAR. ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE SUSPENSION KNUCKLE IS LEAKING AND MAY BE TORN. I CAN'T BE SURE AT THIS TIME IF THE SUSPENSION KNUCKLE IS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE MILEAGE IS VERY LOW (10,300 MILES). I STARTED TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ANY KNOWN ISSUES AND CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON VIPER SUSPENSION. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE KNUCKLE IS DAMAGED OR IF THE ONLY ISSUE IS THE LEAKING RUBBER BOOT ON THE KNUCKLE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR & CHRYSLERS FINDINGS INDICATED THAT KNUCKLE DAMAGE REPORTED IN 2013 WERE DEEMED TO BE CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS, AND THEREFORE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THERE ANY INTEREST FROM THE NHTSA POINT OF VIEW TO FOLLOW MY INCIDENT? P.S. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN LAS VEGAS. I HAVE A RESIDENCE IN LAS VEGAS ALTHOUGH I AM A CANADIAN CITIZEN. *TR
Showing 20 of 31 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Dodge Viper
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge Viper has 31 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge Viper has 9 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 10 of the Dodge Viper's 31 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge Viper vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge Viper vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge Viper has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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