2003 Dodge Viper Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Viper years
- Not enough data 4th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Viper. That ranks 4th out of 15 Viper model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (2 complaints, 40%). Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 5owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 | 40% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 20% | 505,461 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 20% | 300 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 20% | 300 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Dodge Viper recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
Air bags
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2001, through June 30, 2004. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners could increase the risk of personal injury and the possibility of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. An interim notification iwas sent to owners on March 18, 2013. The recall began on March 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Exterior lighting:headlights:switch
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the multifunction switch park lamp contacts may corrode.
Risk: This corrosion could cause the park lamps, head lamps and/or instrument panel lamps to flicker or become inoperative. This could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reflash the software in the body control module. Owner notification began on december 1, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump wiring may become chafed by an underbody heat shield.
Risk: This could cause the fuel pump fuse to open, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective wrap on the fuel pump wiring harness and cover the edge of the heat shield. Owner notification began september 9, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Rear suspension knuckle fracture (PE13010) — opened Apr 26, 2013, closed Dec 11, 2013.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Plastic bushing on clutch lever wears out and disengages from pedal while driving. Causing inability to shift gears. Very dangerous in traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge viper. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v046000 (air bags) and 13v040000 (air bags) however, the parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
2003 dodge viper. Consumer writes in regards to air bag system occupant restraint control mode recall notice. *smd the dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available to perform the recall, and there was no estimated time of arrival.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge viper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a grinding sound was coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the steering wheel would not turn. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a building. The police reported to…
Intermittently, while driving at very low speed and applying the brakes, the pedal went down to the floor. Also without pressing the accelerator, the vehicle surge. The dealership inspected the several times and has not been unable to duplicate the problem. *jb
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 | 5 | 4 |
| 2002 Viper | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 Viper | 1 | 2 |
| 2000 Viper | 4 | 3 |
| 1999 Viper | 2 | 3 |
| 1998 Viper | 3 | 3 |
| 1997 Viper | 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 2003 Dodge Viper?
Owners most often report air bags, power train, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge Viper?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 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 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.