RoadVitals

1994 Dodge Viper

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest May 6, 1996
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 13, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge Viper, most frequently naming the body & structure and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure480.0%
  • Engine120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E022000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 13, 2006
7,440 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
BRAKE PARTS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP03002ClosedDefect Petition

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

Opened May 7, 2003
Closed Jul 22, 2003

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

STEERING:COLUMN
EA96001ClosedEngineering Analysis

CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF

Opened Feb 29, 1996
Closed Apr 8, 1997

REMOVABLE CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLEW OFF OF VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

STRUCTURE
PE95051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF

Opened Oct 10, 1995
Closed Feb 29, 1996

DUE TO HIGH CONSUMER COMPLAINT, WARRANTY REPAIR AND PART SALES RATES, UPGRADE TO THE EA (EA96-001) LEVEL IS APPROPRIATE TO CONTINUE THE ANALYSIS.

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed May 6, 1996

CONVERTIBLE TOP FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX 60 MPH, AUTO WAS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. *AK

NHTSA ID
984072
Body & structure
Filed Mar 27, 1996

CANVAS TOP FLEW OFF DUE TO FRONT BRACKET CAME OFF THE WINDSHIELD MOUNT. *SD

NHTSA ID
503082
Incident
Nov 20, 1995
Body & structure
Filed Dec 11, 1995

WHILE DRIVING CANVAS ROOF BLEW OFF. TT

NHTSA ID
976390
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 1995
1 injury reported

CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND THE EXHAUST PIPE OUTSIDE BURNED CONSUMER SKIN ON THE LEG. *AK

NHTSA ID
968614
Incident
Jun 26, 1995
Body & structure
Filed Apr 24, 1995

THE REMOVABLE ROOF WILL DETACH FROM VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 65 MPH. TT

NHTSA ID
964251
Incident
Apr 24, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

31-001-16

STRUCTURE

Do Not Apply Corrosion Protection On Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) Plastic Panels This bulletin involves discussing SMC plastic panels and applying corrosion protection.

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

010103

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH KIT. GPOP - ISSUE REVIEW SYSTEM. *TT

081698

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

210698

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

A LIGHT CHATTER OR RATTLING NOISE FROM THE CLUTCH HOUSING OR TRANSMISSION AREA WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED AND THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. *YC

235997

STRUCTURE:BODY

CONCERN WITH CORROSION ON/AROUND ROCKER PANEL SCREWS OR ON ROCKER PANEL. *NLM

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Viper by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015310—
2014420—
2013420—
2006110—
2005711—
2004821—
2003541—
2002100—
2001130—
2000440—
1999240—
1998340—
1997340—
1996830—
1995311—
1994Viewing513—
1993213—
1992012—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.