Seat belts: pretensioner
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Dodge Viper vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module may inadvertently deploy the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Viper. Most complaints involve power train (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Dodge Viper vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module may inadvertently deploy the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact was driving a 2006 Dodge Viper. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear differential locked, causing the rear tires to not rotate. The rear of the vehicle then skidded and crashed into a ditch, and flipped, coming to a stop 100-150 feet upside down in the ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that the rear differential was previously serviced at a dealer. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. Medical attention was later required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for an air bag recall, and when asked the technician who performed the recall remedy why the air bags did not deploy, it was informed that the dealer did not have adequate software to complete the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,378.”
“AT APPROXIMATELY 9:50 AM ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012, DR. X LEFT HIS GARAGE AND PROCEEDED PAST HIS GATE IN HIS 2006 DODGE VIPER. HE TURNED NORTH TO VIEW THE LAKE AND TURNED AROUND AT THE END OF THE ROAD (1/2 MILE) AND HEADED BACK TO GO FOR A SHORT RIDE IN THE COUNTRY. AS HE PASSED THE GATE (72745) AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR STARTED TO COME AROUND AND ALL TRACTION WAS LOST. DR. X TURNED INTO THE SLIDE TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR WENT AIRBORNE TO THE RIGHT OVER A 2 -3 FOOT DITCH AND UP THE EMBANKMENT BEFORE IT STOPPED IN THE WOODS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND PERSONAL INJURY. A MECHANIC FROM SPRINGDALE CHRYSLER WAS PASSING BY. AFTER DR. X DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED AS HE WAS DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROAD, THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED AFTER DR. X'S DESCRIPTION AND INSPECTION THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SEPARATED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME DETACHED AND THUS CAUSING THE CRASH. DR. X WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT RELEASE (DEPLOY). DR. X SUFFERED LOWER BACK INJURIES. UPDATED 01/28/13 UPDATED 05/02/13* DUPLICATE TO 10492169* SMCH....UPDATED 06/15/16 *BF”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE VIPER ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, THE TURNING SIGNALS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHICH REDUCED VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viper Convertible Man 6-spd, 10 cyl, 8.30 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 19 | 13 | $5,950 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), air bags (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2006 Dodge Viper at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).