Total Complaints
10 filings
DODGE VIPER · model year
10 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005DODGEVIPER carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 VIPER is air bags with 4 filings, followed by steering (2) and suspension (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2005 VIPER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
10 filings
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 1 |
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VINYL COVER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GETTEL CHRYSLER DODGE DEALER LOCATED AT 2323 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950, AND THE ISSUE WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO THEN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V885000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SAME DEALER HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPAIR THE RECALL, THE CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE CONSOLE WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.
Mileage: 17,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S BOTTOM LIP WAS BRUISED AND SWOLLEN AND HIS HEAD JOLTED BACKWARDS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE TO TUCK THE AIR BAGS BACK INTO THE COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,700. *DT *AS
Mileage: 40,700
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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 23,500
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.
Mileage: 6,100
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.
Mileage: 6,100
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF *TR
Mileage: 36,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF *TR
Mileage: 36,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF *TR
Mileage: 36,000
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
Mileage: 50
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.