The 1998 Dodge Viper has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 12,310 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
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.
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.
SEAT BELTS01V1200002001-04-11615 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RACING OPTION (ACR OR GT2). THE 5-POINT RACING SEAT BELT HARNESS, WHICH IS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VIPER MAY NOT MEET THE VOLUNTARY LOAD SPECIFICATIONS SET FORTH BY THE FIA (FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE L'AUTOMOBILE).
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HARNESS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
THE 5-POINT RACING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
Total complaints4
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Consumer received recall letter for steering gear and crossmember frame. Has contacted ever dealer within the state of kentucky, who have advised consumer that they were not licensed or certified to perform the remedy. Consumer then contacted manufacturer, who advised can not tell consumer where…”
“Consumer received recall letter for steering gear and crossmember frame. Has contacted ever dealer within the state of kentucky, who have advised consumer that they were not licensed or certified to perform the remedy. Consumer then contacted manufacturer, who advised can not tell consumer where…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge viper. While driving at any speed, the breather hose on the engine leaks oil. The contact also noticed large oil spots wherever the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the breather hose needed to be replaced. The contact did…”
“Consumer received a recall regarding the steering column, took vehicle to dealer ship for service dealership refused to service recall and requested consumer to take vehicle to another dealership, consumer states has no time or the money to have vehicle transported to an hour destination for…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Dodge Viper as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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