BIG RECALL ON ALL VIPERS?

[SmokinV10]

I just dropped off my Viper at the dealer to have a tranny mount and intake manifold gaskets replaced. My Viper tech came out and told me that STAR (I guess that is DC's Viper tech hotline) announced that they will be announcing in the VERY near future a 70-page recall on all Vipers (not sure if it is Just Gen II or Gen I as well). This recall involves extensive frame/chassis retrofitting around the gas tank. Apparently a large amount of Vipers have had frame/gas tank cracking in this area. He said this would require cutting and welding! Anyone else heard of this?

 

[King GTS]

Well I'm definitely going to call my tech now & I'll Post what he tells me. Thanks.

 

[dblankenbaker]

There is a forthcoming safety recall that affects coupes and roadsters, "1996, 1997, 1998, and early built 1999".

"This is a future Safety Recall that must be performed on all Viper models listed above."

 

[Casey]

Sounds like a good time to upgrade the Fuel Pump in advance of the Roe S/C stage II!! And on Dodge's dime!
Just thinking ahead and trying to turn this into a positive!!

 

[Tomer]

Anyone know what the safety recall involves?? Need more details...

Tomer

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

From the dates of cars listed above, the cheesy steering rack welds must be involved!

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

Oh boy.....

We need to have some way to sticky this type of stuff at the top of all posts. This is important!.

Craig

 

[SmokinV10]

More information (maybe redundant). All they know is that the recall is extensive. The repair involves removal of the gas tank and reinforcing of the frame and some additional welding. The frame is cracking in some areas.

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">
Though we've discussed this before, this is the first time I've seen the statement:

<u>"DaimlerChrysler Has Recalled the 1996-1999 Dodge Viper"</u>

Perhaps the differential area welding requires the fuel tank removal?

And a thought.... is the average Viper Tech qualified to weld a frame?

******************************************

SafetyAlerts
January 10, 2002
DaimlerChrysler Has Recalled the 1996-1999 Dodge Viper
Detroit, MI (SafetyAlerts) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting the DaimlerChrysler Corporation 1996-1999 Dodge Viper.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 4,645

Dates of Manufacture: June 1995 - March 1999

Defect: Certain passenger vehicles used extensively in track types of racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions could experience cracks at the welds of the rear differential mounting bracket. The cracks could eventually lead to metal fatigue and dislodging of the differential mounting bracket from the frame of the vehicle. Separation of the differential mounting bracket could result in loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: All affected vehicles will have a field repair kit installed. Vehicles exhibiting cracks will require an additional weld repair prior to installation of the kit. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V312/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 998].

***********************************

SafetyAlerts
January 10, 2002
DaimlerChrysler Has Recalled 1996-2000 Dodge Viper
Detroit, MI (SafetyAlerts) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting the DaimlerChrysler Corporation 1996-2000 Dodge Viper.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 7,050

Dates of Manufacture: June - October 2000 (edit, one assume the date 1995 is missing given the 7,050 units affected)

Defect: Certain passenger vehicles used extensively in track types of racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions can experience cracking of the steering rack mounting brackets. The cracks could eventually lead to separation of the steering rack from the frame of the vehicle. Separation of the steering rack could result in unexpected steering looseness and lag.

Remedy: All affected vehicles will have a field repair kit installed, consisting of lower frame rail reinforcement gussets and a reinforcement bracket. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V313/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 999].

**************************************

Important Note Regarding Auto Recalls
Frequently SafetyAlerts will list auto recalls before
your dealer will know about them. If you have a vehicle
affected by one of these posted recalls be sure and
write down the NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number.
If your dealer doesn't know about the recall when you
check, ask them how they are notified of recalls and
when the next update is due.
</FONT f>

 

[Jay Herbert]

Any recalls that require welding also require that a tech that has been certified in welding perform the repair.

I recently had to have a similar recall done on my Shelby Dakota for its steering rack mount. I told them when I scheduled the work it required welding..... when I go there (1.5 hr drive to closest dealer that could do the work), they were done in 10 minutes.... the "welding tech" was not in

, so I had to do it all over a week later. I was not a happy camper.

 

[SmokinV10]

I see that 85 people have looked at this but no one knows? Maybe I'll call my tech and get more info.

 

[cstegall]

Hey Ron...

If they can weld a frame...betcha they can replace a seatbelt system

No Flame Intended...Just Observation,

CStegall

 

[RoyV101621]

Guess it ain't so bad havin' that there truck suspension on them early models.

 

[shifter]

Has anyone here had this problem? Recalls stem from a incident rate that is a certain percentage of the potentially effected population. There must have been a few claims reported. I'm curious as to the failure mode for the diff mounting bracket fracture. (rear end drop?).

It is possible that DCX found the problem and voluntarily offered the recall service fix, but actions like that aren't very common on non current production vehicles.

Lastly, people talk about a upgraded rear end on the 2001's and 2002's due to the different part number. I wonder if this is the reason, or is there another difference?

Anyone know?

 

[HogWhisperer]

Hope this isn't like the ACR 5-point restraints recall. Once the NHTSA had published the recall, it took DC close to a year before they issued the notice.

 

[GTS Dean]

A guy from Houston had the rear diff problem happen to him quite a while back. If memory serves, he owned a '97 GTS.

 

[David Jenkins]

Over the past 2 years, we've only seen 2 cars with this issue. Both have been repaired from under the car without removing the fuel tank. Don't freak out guys. Just have your tech do a visual inspection of all suspension mount welds next time your in for service. dj

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shifter:
.......Lastly, people talk about a upgraded rear end on the 2001's and 2002's due to the different part number. I wonder if this is the reason, or is there another difference? Anyone know?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Different reason.

The 2001+ case and internals are also stronger, w/ larger carrier bolts.

 

[jrkermode]

Viper Wannabe,

You need to have any potential purchase checked out by an experienced Tech. As David Jenkins mentions above, none of the stuff mentioned in the recall is "news".

My 2002 GTS had its 200 mile service just before the recall was published, however, my Tech (Ted May) was fully aware of the potential problems and even remarked how it looked like "they finally fixed it" (with frame reinforcements). What's not mentioned in the recall, but addressed by my Tech are numerous potential faults under the hood. Especially points where the wire loom is inadequately secured and can easily contact the motor and melt.

A well cared for Viper can endure an incredible amount of abuse (look at some of the RWHP numbers). A good Tech knows what to look for.

 

[pauls]

If your not roadracing the car regularly with slicks the chances of a problem are slim. I've drag raced occasionally with M/Ts for five years. I check the rear end mount regularly, no problem. The front rack mount is pretty flimsy, but no problems there either.

 

[Big Medicine]

Nice. One more thing to worry about while doin' 150.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=262516

 

[SneakyPete]

Bump

 

[vipergtsr]

I am a viper tech in Phila, Gary Barbera Dodge. I have spoken to the factory engineer and he told me that the recall will cover 96-99 and some early 00 cars. The rear frame and also the steering rack mounts will be repaired at the same time. He told me that it would be a time intensive process. Also it should be released in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Matt M PA]

What makes a car an "early 2000" vs a late 2000?

 

[V10 MOJO]

ive heard talk of this both on and off site, im gonna do the simple thing and dismiss it until i get an actual notification in the mail or my rearend falls of and i go up in a ball of flame outta first to second, whichever happens first

 

[SmokinV10]

I saw a post on the .com site from david ****** that on 5/16 DC actually made this recall official. According to him, althogh it isnt official, the recall is now legitimate. Make your appointments! Anyone know what parts the dealer needs to order?