Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Dodge Viper problems

Owners filed 8 complaints about the 2005 Dodge Viper with NHTSA between Jan 2005 and Sep 2022. The most-cited component is air bags (4).

Complaints
8
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags4
  2. Suspension3
  3. Steering2
  4. Visibility/wiper1
  5. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20051
20060
20070
20080
20090
20100
20110
20120
20131
20141
20151
20160
20171
20180
20191
20201
20210
20221

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“I received this recall notice. I live in the San Diego area and have been unable to get this recall satisfactorily completed due to all (3) Dodge dealership service managers refusing to complete the work telling me, "Dash parts/components can and will be broken during the (ORC) recall/repair process, due to the year of the vehicle (2005), no factory OEM replacement parts exist." Also, service managers state "Third party service/repair shops they recommend are available but they cannot guarantee the work." Generally speaking, it appears the local dodge dealerships do not want to be involved in this NHTSA required recall and have given no satisfactory reason nor opportunity for the consumer to safely and correctly repair their vehicles NHTSA has ordered repaired. The dealers simply say we'll try but there will be damage to your vehicle and parts are not available to fix it!! Not acceptable. I am asking for your assistance. [XXX] Reference: Dec 12,2019 Manufacturer Recall NumberVE4 NHTSA Recall Number19V-885 Recall Status/Recall Incomplete Summary Some 2005-2006 MY Dodge Viper vehicles are equipped with an Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module that may…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2022Air bagsODI 11483733

Suspension

3 reports3 crashes
“THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD , THE CAR WAS THROWN OUT OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSED A MULTIPLE ROLL OVER CRASH TOTALING THE CAR AND INJURING THE DRIVER. THERE IS A GAUGED OUT MARK IN THE PAVEMENT ALONG WITH A TIRE SKID MARK SHOWING THE WHEEL TURNED WHEN THE KNUCKLE BROKE. THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE TROOPER [XXX] NOTED SOMETHING ON THE CAR DRUG CAUSING THE MARK IN THE PAVEMENT. HE MAY BE CONTACTED AT 276-694-7258. THERE ARE TWO EYE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT THAT CAN CONFIRM THE DETAILS ABOVE...UPDATED 12/13/17 *BF *BF *CN *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2017SuspensionCrash reportedODI 11046479

Steering

2 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME TIGHT. WHILE VEERING TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VEERED BACK TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE FEET, ARMS, CHEST, AND BACK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2015Steering, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10779316

Visibility/wiper

1 report1 crash
“MY WIFE AND I LEFT THE STORE AFTER PURCHASING GAS IN OUR 8 DAY PURCHASED CAR. ON A RURAL TWO LANE ROAD, MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 35. I WAS IN 2ND GEAR, THE CAR WENT TO THE LEFT AND THE BACK END SPUN TO THE RIGHT 180 DEGREE OUT OF CONTROL. THE BACK OF THE CAR AIR BORNE HIT A TREE AND FENCE. MY WIFE AND I WERE WEARING SEAT BELT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SECTION IS PUSHED UP AGAINST THE SEATS. MY WIFE AND I SUFFERED HEAD, NECK, LEGS AND BACK PAINS. THERE WAS NO OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THERE IS PROPERTY DAMAGE OF THE FENCE. AT THIS POINT, THE ADJUSTOR IS STILL REVIEWING THE DAMAGE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2014Suspension, Visibility/wiperCrash reportedODI 10596699

Tires

1 report1 crash
“LEFT DEALERSHIP AFTER TAKING DELIVERY. DROVE TO STOP SIGN AT END OF APPROACH RAMP TO HIGHWAY, ACCELERATED TO BLEND INTO TRAFFIC, CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT OF CONTROL SWERVED TO RIGHT HIT CURB AND LAMP POST. I WAS TOLD AFTER ACCIDENT BY DEALER THAT TIRES NEEDED TO BE WARMED UP FIRST OR CAR HAS VERY POOR TRACTION. THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AFTER THE FACT BY MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2005TiresCrash reportedODI 10105957
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.