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Dodge ViperModel year report

1996 Dodge Viper Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 8.0L 10-cyl RWD · 11 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Dodge Viper (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 Dodge Viper. The part named most often is body and structure, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by steering (2) and engine cooling (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the rack filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “The contact stated while turning into a driveway the vehicle lost steering. There was no crash but the bottom of the vehicle drug the ground. The dealer and manufacturer have been alerted and agree the vehicle is included in NHTSA recall, # 01v313000 concerning steering: rack and pinion. The dealer is refusing to repair the vehicle because of a fracture in the frame. The recall indicates a frame separation can accrue, however both refuse to repair the vehicle without charge.”

NHTSA complaint #10155720, filed 2006-04, 35,000 miles

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Viper. While driving 5 MPH, the contact noticed oil leaking from under the vehicle. After inspecting, he noticed that the braided oil lines in front of the vehicle had rubbed together and burst. The dealer stated that they had no parts available for repair for that type of failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 03/03/11”

NHTSA complaint #10378004, filed 2011-01, 40,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 41,900 miles.

0%0–100%10–25100%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19962200220032200622011
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 Dodge Viper version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Viper RWD8.0L 10-cyl6-speed manual112014$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1996 Dodge Viper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.

Other model years of the Dodge Viper

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2005720,2501—13—Not enough data
2004823,2402—13—Not enough data
200353004—14—Not enough data
1996840,0002—14—Not enough data
19945—0—15—Not enough data

All Dodge Viper model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Dodge Viper have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 Dodge Viper as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Dodge Viper is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 1996 Dodge Viper been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Viper get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Dodge Viper (Viper, 8.0L 10-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 11 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Dodge Viper reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 41,900 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.