RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Viper Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
8
Latest Jan 20, 2011
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
4
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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Viper, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure342.9%
  • Steering228.6%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DO RECALL CAUSE THERE WAS'NT ANY TECHICIAN THAT COULD DO THE WORK. MR

NHTSA ID 8024213 · filed Dec 11, 2002

THE CONVERTABLE TOP ALMOST FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID 984610 · filed May 17, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10155720 · filed Apr 19, 2006

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

NHTSA ID 10024849 · filed Jun 24, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10378004 · filed Jan 20, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10166846 · filed Aug 29, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .