NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Dodge Viper Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Dodge Viper has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Dodge Viper. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Dodge Viper owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Viper, describing incidents dated October 15, 2002 to March 29, 2003.

Most-cited components

Steering 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10237221 · Filed August 6, 2008
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…
ODI #10021863 · Filed May 29, 2003
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 TO…
ODI #8013272 · Filed July 3, 2002
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…

Read all 3 complaints

BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER

NHTSA #06E022000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported March 13, 2006 · BRAKE PARTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 7,440 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Safety consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AC DELCO, AIMCO, CARQUEST, AND BENDIX BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER OR FORD VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/STEERING RACK MOUNTING BRACKET

NHTSA #01V313000 · Steering — Rack and Pinion — Rack · NHTSA notice

Reported October 4, 2001 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 7,050 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 999 · Owners notified May 20, 2002 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – October 2, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 999.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET

NHTSA #01V312000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported October 4, 2001 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 4,645 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 998 · Owners notified May 20, 2002 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – March 1, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALLNO. 998.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/SEAT BELT HARNESS

NHTSA #01V120000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported April 11, 2001 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 615 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 979 · Owners notified February 25, 2002 · Vehicles built January 1, 1998 – March 8, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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).

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HARNESS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO.979ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Dodge Viper. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Viper.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10237221

Incident: October 15, 2002 · Filed: August 6, 2008

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 NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Steering; Structure

ODI #10021863

Incident: March 29, 2003 · Filed: May 29, 2003

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 TO GO AND HE HAS TO FIND DEALER ON HIS OWN.*AK

Steering

ODI #8013272

Filed: July 3, 2002

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 SERVICES.*JB

Other Dodge Viper model years

Check your 1998 Dodge Viper VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Viper at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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