DODGE VIPER COUPE · model year

2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE

9 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006DODGEVIPER COUPE carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 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 2006 VIPER COUPE is suspension with 2 filings, followed by steering (2) and air bags (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 20 investigation files overlapping the 2006 VIPER COUPE, and 1 remain open. 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.

9
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION2
STEERING2
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1

Recalls (1)

15V22200015/04/2015

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2006 Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006. In the affected vehicles, the springs within the clutch pedal position switch that prevents the vehicle from starting unless the clutch pedal is

Recent Complaints

20251210CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 13,378

20251210CrashPOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 13,378

20150707STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WHEN BATTERY POWER WAS OUT. DOOR WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE TO THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HAD A FATIGUE FAILURE AT THE CABLE TO HANDLE JUNCTION. WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURS THERE IS NOTHING THAT ALLOWS ONE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF MISUSE BUT OF A POOR DESIGN. IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHERE BATTERY POWER IS LOST THE AFFECTED DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED. THIS FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY TO BE THE DRIVER DOOR AS IT IS MOST FREQUENTLY USED. ANY FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF TRAPPED OCCUPANTS IS UNLIKELY TO DISCOVER THIS PARTICULARLY IF A FIRE MELTS THE DOOR COMPONENTS. I SUSPECT THAT THE DOOR MECHANISM IS LIKELY COMMON TO MANY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS AND THUS FAR MORE IMPORTANT FOR INVESTIGATION.

Mileage: 62,000

20140908SUSPENSION

I STARTED HEARING A CLUNK THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. I PULLED ALL 4 TIRES OFF TO GREASE THE CAR. ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE SUSPENSION KNUCKLE IS LEAKING AND MAY BE TORN. I CAN'T BE SURE AT THIS TIME IF THE SUSPENSION KNUCKLE IS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE MILEAGE IS VERY LOW (10,300 MILES). I STARTED TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ANY KNOWN ISSUES AND CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON VIPER SUSPENSION. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE KNUCKLE IS DAMAGED OR IF THE ONLY ISSUE IS THE LEAKING RUBBER BOOT ON THE KNUCKLE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR & CHRYSLERS FINDINGS INDICATED THAT KNUCKLE DAMAGE REPORTED IN 2013 WERE DEEMED TO BE CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS, AND THEREFORE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THERE ANY INTEREST FROM TH

Mileage: 10,300

20130110CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL KNUCKLE FRACTURED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO AIRBORNE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500. *DUPLICATE TO 10491122* SMCH

Mileage: 10,500

20121231CrashSUSPENSION

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 WEARIN

Mileage: 12,469

20121231CrashSTEERING

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 WEARIN

Mileage: 12,469

20121231CrashAIR BAGS

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 WEARIN

Mileage: 12,469

20120606ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN OPENING THE DOORS, THE WINDOW WOULD SCRAPE THE ROOF LINE. UPON RESEARCH, HE FOUND THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR THAT POSSIBLY FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Mileage: 8,000

Compare 2006DODGEVIPER COUPE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE have?
The 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE has 9 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE?
Yes, the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE?
The most-complained component for the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE is SUSPENSION with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2006 DODGE VIPER COUPE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.