RoadVitals

2013 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.
4
Latest Aug 11, 2020
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.
2
Latest Jul 23, 2015
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.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Dodge Viper, most frequently naming the electrical, body & structure and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 151 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

  • Electrical342.9%
  • Body & structure228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
15V461000

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

Jul 23, 2015
1,416,903 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
The risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number R40View on NHTSA.gov
15V178000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Mar 27, 2015
1,455 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to February 6, 2014. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk: If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R14.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number R14View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 11, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11348642
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11330017
Incident
Jun 13, 2020
Mileage
12,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11020364
Incident
Aug 28, 2017
Mileage
6,700 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 22, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10937087
Incident
Dec 17, 2016
Mileage
4,960 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

31-001-25 REV. B

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.

31-001-25 REV. A

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.

31-001-25

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates

31-001-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

"Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: Verify current warranty policy to determine if digital imaging pre-authorization is required or pre-approval is required from the Regional Office; depending on market. This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum panels on the vehicle, hood, door, fenders, hinges, swing gates or liftgate panels."

9100229

SUSPENSION

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

9100229

EQUIPMENT

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

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—
2013Viewing420—
2006110—
2005711—
2004821—
2003541—
2002100—
2001130—
2000440—
1999240—
1998340—
1997340—
1996830—
1995311—
1994513—
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.