NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Dodge Viper Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 Dodge Viper has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 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 2004 Dodge Viper. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2004 Dodge Viper owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Dodge Viper, describing incidents dated November 1, 2004 to January 1, 2014.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 3 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Together, the 8 complaints on file report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10573562 · Filed March 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V040000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT…
ODI #10549782 · Filed October 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V040000 (AIR BAGS) HAD A EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
ODI #10512426 · Filed May 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT…

Read all 8 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Dodge Viper in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE13-010: Rear suspension knuckle fracture
Closed December 11, 2013

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment

NHTSA #15V046000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2015 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 752,644 vehicles

Repair completion: 17.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign R06 · Owners notified December 29, 2015 · Vehicles built November 1, 2001 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inadvertent Airbag Deployment

NHTSA #13V040000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported February 6, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 3,644 vehicles

Repair completion: 25.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N13 · Owners notified March 26, 2014 · Vehicles built November 1, 2001 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners could increase the risk of personal injury and the possibility of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Chrysler's recall campaign number is N13.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2004 Dodge Viper 2-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Viper.

Air Bags

ODI #10573562

Incident: January 1, 2014 · Filed: March 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V040000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTICE MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000.

Air Bags

ODI #10549782

Incident: February 1, 2013 · Filed: October 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V040000 (AIR BAGS) HAD A EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10512426

Incident: January 15, 2013 · Filed: May 16, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONNECTER HAD EXPANDED, CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TR DUPLICATE TO 10511754*SMCH

Suspension; Air Bags

ODI #10511754

1 injury

Incident: April 20, 2013 · Filed: May 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH AND VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD NOT IMPACTED ANYTHING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,240. *TR DUPLICATE TO 10512426 *SMCH

Electrical System

ODI #10367235

Incident: September 17, 2010 · Filed: November 23, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE VIPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED. OCCASIONALLY, AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON IT WOULD RESET ITSELF AND AT OTHER TIMES IT WOULD BE AN HOUR BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE COMPONENTS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPONENTS EACH TIME PER THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE FAILURE WITH THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,300.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10159440

1 injury

Incident: July 21, 2005 · Filed: May 30, 2006

2004 VIPER BLOWS EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE CABIN AREA. *TS IN ADDITION, THE HEATING ISSUE ALSO CAUSED THE SIDE EXIT PANELS TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMERS WIFE BURNING THE BACK OF HER RIGHT CALF WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITION ON AT ALL TIMES. *JB

Structure

ODI #10156236

1 injury

Incident: April 3, 2006 · Filed: April 11, 2006

2004 DODGE VIPER PUTS OUT EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE CABIN AREA, CAUSED CONSUMERS WIFE TO BURN HER CALF WHEN EXITING. *TS ***NAR*** THE SIDE PANELS BECAME VERY HOT WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS INJURED. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train

ODI #10102967

Incident: November 1, 2004 · Filed: December 14, 2004

THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL ON THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOUR FOOT EITHER SLIPS OFF OR STICKS TO THE PEDAL DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF SHOE BEING WORN. THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER FOR DODGE AND THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS AN INFERIOR METAL WAS USED TO MFG. THE PEDAL BUT WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS. *AK

Other Dodge Viper model years

Check your 2004 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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