MotorDeets

Dodge Viper problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Viper from 1993 to 2015: 64 owner complaints and 29 recalls across 17 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1996 (8), 2004 (8), 2005 (7). Best fuel economy: 15 mpg combined (2015).

Dodge Viper
Photo: artistmac · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Body & structure19
Airbags11
Steering10
Electrical8
Engine & cooling7
Suspension6
Transmission & drivetrain5
Visibility (wipers, glass)4

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
19930215
19940515
19950314
19962814
199733–
19983313
19993213
20003414
20012113
20020113
20034514
20042813
20051713
20061113
201324–
201424–
20151315

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Dodge Viper.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Dodge Viper?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1996 (8), 2004 (8), 2005 (7).

How many recalls has the Dodge Viper had?

Across 1993–2015, NHTSA lists 29 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).