2013 Dodge Viper recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
What could happen: If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R14.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 VIPER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V178000 (manufacturer code R14).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-853-1403.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to February 6, 2014. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
Consequence: If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R14.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
What could happen: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate ins…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 VIPER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V461000 (manufacturer code R40).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-853-1403.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Consequence: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2013 Dodge Viper owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (3), Body / structure (2), Airbags (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
08/11/2020 · Electrical system
AS MANY 2013-2015 DODGE VIPER OWNERS REPORT ONLINE, THE HORN TURNS ON AND OFF, STICKING ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITH NO CONTACT, RANDOMLY. MOST VIPER OWNER OF THIS YEAR MODEL ARE PULLING THE FUSE SO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS IS A PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG ASSEMBLY THAT IS TIED IN WITH THE HORN MECHANISM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TH…
06/22/2020 · Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SOMETHING LIKE A RUBBER/ELECTRICAL SMELL WAS NOTICED. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEEN I HAD SMOKE FILLING THE REAR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND AS I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON MY REAR LIFT GATE GLASS EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES. IT WAS AS LOUD AS A SHOTGUN GOING…
08/29/2017 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE VIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT: 3700 RALEIGH ROAD PARKWAY W, WILSON, NC 27896, TEL: (855)217-8742 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DURING PRODUCTION, ADHESIVE WAS NOT ADDED TO THE SUB F…
12/22/2016 · Electrical system
I OWN A 2013 DODGE VIPER SRT, TURNED ON MY REAR HATCH WINDOW DEFROSTER WHILE DRIVING TO CLEAR MY REAR WINDOW FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM REAR HATCH AREA. I QUICKLY RUSHED TO TURN IF OFF, THE SMOKE STARTED TO CLEAR. SECONDS AFTER MY REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTER. A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEAR AT THE TIME OF SHATTERING, ALMOST LIKE AN EXPLOSION.…