The 1997 Dodge Viper has 3 recalls, the most serious being a risk of unexpected airbag deployment when the ignition is shut off, which can injure the driver or passenger without warning.
Two other recalls affect vehicles that have seen heavy track or aggressive driving use. On the steering side, the mounting brackets that hold the steering rack to the frame can develop cracks over time and eventually separate, causing sudden looseness or lag in steering response. A related structural issue involves the rear differential mounting bracket, where welds can crack under stress and allow the bracket to break free from the frame, affecting how power reaches the rear wheels and potentially destabilizing the rear of the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering rack mounting brackets can crack on vehicles used in track racing with aggressive driving.
What the fix does
Lower frame rail reinforcement gussets and a reinforcement bracket will be installed to strengthen the mounting.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
Vehicles used in track racing under aggressive driving conditions can develop cracks at the welds where the rear differential mounting bracket connects to the frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and reinforce the frame to repair the mounting bracket welds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A flaw in the electrical circuit design can cause the airbag to deploy unintentionally when you turn off the engine ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the airbag electronic control module with an updated version that fixes the electrical circuit issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
