1997 Dodge Viper Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Viper years
- Not enough data 8th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Dodge Viper. That ranks 8th out of 15 Viper model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (2 complaints, 67%). There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 3owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Dodge Viper problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 67% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Dodge Viper recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering:rack and pinion:rack
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
Risk: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The dealer refused to perform recall for frame welding, consumer was informed the manufacturer did not pay enough. Dealer agreed to make repairs. *jb
Nhtsa#14417-01-v-313-000 steering racck mounting bracket. The cracks could eventually lead to separation of the steering rack from the frame of the vehicle: consumer states the frame has broke on both side of the vehicle. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified. Ts
Weak point in rear tow link mount when braking excessively and cornering caused frame to break. *ak,
Other Dodge Viper years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Viper | 3 | 1 |
| 2014 Viper | 4 | 2 |
| 2013 Viper | 4 | 2 |
| 2006 Viper | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 Viper | 7 | 1 |
| 2004 Viper | 8 | 2 |
| 2003 Viper | 5 | 4 |
| 2002 Viper | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 Viper | 1 | 2 |
| 2000 Viper | 4 | 3 |
| 1999 Viper | 2 | 3 |
| 1998 Viper | 3 | 3 |
| 1997 | 3 | 3 |
| 1996 Viper | 8 | 2 |
| 1995 Viper | 3 | 0 |
See all Dodge Viper problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Viper?
Owners most often report structure, seats problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Dodge Viper?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Dodge Viper a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Viper model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.