Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Viper, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure3
- Steering2
- Power train1
- Unknown or other1
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Dodge Viper failed the safety check 0.64% of the time — 56% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 19,275 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
3 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 16.4 L/100 km (about 14 mpg US), CO₂ 377 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viper RT/10 · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 19.9 | 12.1 | 16.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Dodge Viper.
| 2001269 7 Nov 2001 | Structure Certain passenger vehicles used extensively in track type racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions could experience cracks at the welds of t… |
| 2001221 25 Oct 2001 | Steering Certain vehicles may experience cracking of the steering rack mounting brackets which could result in unexpected steering looseness and lag. Correction: Dealers… |
| 1997168 3 Oct 1997 | Emissions THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR WIRING MAY BE REVERSED, WITH THE LEFT SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE RI… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1996 Dodge Viper: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634272 | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC |
| 620059 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT |
| 618049 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB |
| 615688 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 612160 | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS |
| 610635 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 609995 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT |
| 6092304 | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 6089800 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 6089109 | CONCERN WITH CORROSION ON/AROUND ROCKER PANEL SCREWS OR ON ROCKER PANEL. *NLM |
| 6089107 | CONCERN WITH RESIN ODOR IN VEHICLE. *NLM |
| 6089038 | INFORMATION ON TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT. *NLM |
| 6088884 | INFORMATION ON POOR DRIVABILITY WITH HIGH DI (DRIVABILITY INDEX) FUEL. *NLM |
| 6088869 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES THE LACK OF PERFORMANCE AT FULL WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. *NLM |
| 6088854 | INFORMATION ON LIFTER TYPE NOISE AFTER FLYWHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION. *NLM |
| 6088834 | INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *NLM |
| 6088786 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM |
| 6088782 | CONCERNS WITH NEUTRAL GEAR RATTLE WITH CLUTCH ENGAGED. *NLM |
| 607963 | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 604367 | PROCEDURES ON INSTALLING AN ACCESS PANEL INTO THE TRUCK FOR FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 604312 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO ARM PROPERLY, GO OFF, OR CAUSE THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD. *TT |
| 603635 | SUBJECT ON FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *YC |
| 603153 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC |
| 602881 | SUBJECT REGARDING I/M ( INSPECTION MAINTENANCE ) TESTING - OBD II "CARB" READINESS MONITOR INFORMATION. *YC |
| 602585 | SUBJECT REGARDING ELECTRONIC ENTRY MODULE FAILS TO RESPOND. *YC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)