1997 Dodge Viper
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Dodge Viper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1997 Dodge Viper at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1997 Dodge Viper recalls 4
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 …
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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-…
THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1997 Dodge Viper common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Dodge Viper — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 39
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 39.
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Bulletin 3100519 · Structure · Nov 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Bulletin 3100619 · Structure, Equipment · Nov 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
Bulletin 3100319 · Structure · Nov 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Bulletin 31-006-19 · Structure · Nov 2019Do Not Apply Corrosion Protection On Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) Plastic Panels This bulletin involves discussing SMC plastic panels and applying corrosion protection.
Bulletin 31-001-16 · Structure · Mar 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Bulletin R2118796A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2016Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no l…
Bulletin 23-014-15 · Equipment · Apr 2015ENGINE SPARK KNOCK USING 91 OCTANE GASOLINE. *TT
Bulletin 1801903 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH KIT. GPOP - ISSUE REVIEW SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 010103 · Power Train · Jan 2003FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
Bulletin 1802002 · Jun 2002Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the VIPER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Dodge Viper. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Structure
Certain 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. 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…
Transport Canada #2001269 · Nov 2001Steering
Certain vehicles may experience cracking of the steering rack mounting brackets which could result in unexpected steering looseness and lag. Correction: Dealers will install reinforcement brackets.
Transport Canada #2001221 · Oct 2001Seats And Restraints
THE CIRCUIT DESIGN IN THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW THE POTENTIAL FOR INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN. CORRECTION: THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODULE THAT INCORPORATES THE LATEST PRODUCTION REDESIGNED CIRCUIT TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION.
Transport Canada #1997102 · May 1997Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper is an American sports car that was manufactured by Dodge, a division of American car manufacturer Chrysler. First showcased in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show as a interpretative concept car of a modern-era AC Cobra, production of the two-seat sports car later began at New Mack Assembly Plant in 1991 and moved to Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in October 1995. Five generations of the Viper were developed from 1991 until 2017, with a brief hiatus in 2007 and between 2011 and 2012.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.