Safety ratings
2003 Dodge Viper 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (4)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 15V046000 · 28/01/2015
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 03V292000 · 12/08/2003
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.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 03V388000 · 10/10/2003
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.
- AIR BAGSCampaign 13V040000 · 06/02/2013
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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- AIR BAGS2
- VISIBILITY1
- STEERING1
- SUSPENSION1
- POWER TRAIN1
- SERVICE BRAKES1
- HYDRAULIC1
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
Read individual complaints (6 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 11/16/2012· VISIBILITY
IT IS KNOWN FACT THAT ALL DODGE VIPERS BUILT BETWEEN 2003-2010 HAVE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS THAT FAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE PLASTIC TUBING BREAKS AND THE WINDOWS WILL NO LONGER MOVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ON MULTIPLE FRONTS WHERE A NEED COULD ARISE TO ESCAPE THE CAR THROUGH THE WINDOW. IF THE REGULATOR HAS FAILED, AND THE WINDOW IS IN THE "UP" POSITION, THERE ADDITIONAL HAZARDS. BECAUSE THE REGULATOR IS DESIGNED TO SLIGHTLY LOWER THE WINDOW WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR, IF IT STOPS FUNCTIONING, THE CLOSING OF THE VEHICLE DOORS CREATES STRESS ON THE GLASS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF WINDOWS BREAKING WHILE A VEHICLE IS SIMPLY PARKED AND STILL OTHERS WHERE THE WINDOW FINALLY GIVE WAY TO THE STRESSES OF THE EXTRA PRESSURE AND EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES FLYING GLASS TO HIT THE OCCUPANTS CAUSING CUTS AND POSSIBLE BLINDNESS, AND COULD ALSO LEAD THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. REPLACEMENT REGULATORS ARE NOT ONLY HARD TO FIND, BUT ARE $1,000 EACH. DODGE HAS KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE (AND KNOWN SINCE 2003 WHEN PROBLEMS BEGAN), BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE THE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS ON VIPER CLUB OF AMERICA'S WEBSITE OR VIPER ALLEY. APPARENTLY THE DESIGN HAS FINALLY BEEN FIXED FOR THE 2013 VIPER, BUT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THIS REGULATOR CAN RETROFITTED TO 2003-10 CARS. WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN (AND ADMITTED TO ISSUE) BY DODGE, AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEMS AT NO CHARGE TO CURRENT OWNERS. IF DODGE CONTINUES TO BURY IT'S HEAD IN THE SAND ABOUT THIS, THEY ARE JUST AWAITING A LAWSUIT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH CAUSED BY THEIR NEGLIGENCE, WHICH WILL CARRY A HUGE PRICE TAG. *TR
- 07/25/2013· AIR BAGS
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.
- 07/05/2013· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash
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 THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE WHERE HE LATER REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TR
- 06/26/2017· POWER TRAIN
PLASTIC BUSHING ON CLUTCH LEVER WEARS OUT AND DISENGAGES FROM PEDAL WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.
- 05/10/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
- 03/03/2016· AIR BAGS
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 RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.