The 1996 Dodge Viper has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 11,695 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION01V3120002001-10-044,645 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCE CRACKS AT THE WELDS OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET.
Consequence
THE CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO METAL FATIGUE AND DISLODGING OF THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND REINFORCE THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
STEERING01V3130002001-10-047,050 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCECRACKING OF THE STEERING RACK MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence
THE CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE STEERING RACK FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE STEERING RACK COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED STEERING LOOSENESS AND LAG.
Remedy
ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE A FIELD REPAIR KIT INSTALLED, CONSISTING OF LOWER FRAME RAIL REINFORCEMENT GUSSETS AND A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INFORMATION WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1
STEERING
1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Traveling approximately 60mph the canvas roof almost flew off. *ak”
“The convertable top almost flew off while driving at high speeds. Please describe. *ak”
“The dealership could not do recall cause there was'nt any techician that could do the work. Mr”
“The consumer received recall #998 on the vehicle and has been unsuccessful in finding a dealer to repair. *scc *nlm”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Dodge Viper as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.