VIPER RECALL (1996 - 2000?)

[Y2K5SRT]

Got a "notice" from one of my Internet watchdogs today regarding a recall for Vipers. I then went to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration site ( www.nhtsa.dot.gov ) and confirmed it. The notice I found read as follows:

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[Brad Manhattan Beach]

Thanks for the heads up Chris.

Take care,

Brad

 

[K Adelberg]

Good heads up! I have seen a few of these, mostly on 96 models.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

From what I was told this ONLY applied to 96 & 97 model years. I heard this problem was corrected starting with the 98 model year. Anyone else hear this?????

 

[Performin Norman]

Thanks Chris.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SoCal Rebell:
From what I was told this ONLY applied to 96 & 97 model years. I heard this problem was corrected starting with the 98 model year. Anyone else hear this?????
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't know if this is accurate or not (96 & 97 only). I was e-mailed a notice of the recall by Autobytel saying that it affected my 2000 Viper. I would also note that the NHTSA recall notice mentions "7050" as the number of vehicles affected. Going by the VIN registry right here on the VCA site, I would guess that the problem was "fixed" sometime during the 2000 model year. If it originated in 1996, the 7050th car was built about halfway into 2000. That means that SoCal and I may need the fix. I have my car scheduled to go in for other service next Tuesday, so I will get it up on the rack and compare it to Dean's picture from the old thread on broken mounts. I will let you know!

Chris

 

[GTS Dean]

I have a '98 on the rack in the garage (with my '96 under it) and it does NOT have the additional bracing. Neither does a good friend's '99.

 

[Mike H]

Everyone that races in the wheel to wheel has welded gussets to the rack. EVERY car needs it, not just 96 & 97. It is an easy job and if you do a search of that on this site, you will find the pics.

 

[Y2KACR]

Anyone have an idea how to define the statement:"Passenger vehicles used extensively in track type racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions." We autoX several times a year and occasionally (1-2x/yr) have some high-speed fun on a track. Is this "extensive"? It seems the amount of stress shouldn't matter if the part is defective or unable to handle the increased loads placed on it by competition given the car.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Y2KACR:
Anyone have an idea how to define the statement:"Passenger vehicles used extensively in track type racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

URGENT NOTE:

DO NOT INCRIMINATE YOURSELF OUT OF FUTURE WARRANTY PROTECTIONS IN YOUR QUEST FOR THIS FIX!

Those of you in Viper "Racing" HAVE performed this precautionary improvement. Those of you who are NOT "racing" should not make the mistake of saying you are! Especially if you call the 800#.

"I have been to several performance driving schools."
"I have participated in a couple parking-lot style autocrosses."
"I do drive aggressiveley but do NOT RACE."

Ya get my meanin' ??

 

[99t1]

If you don't want to wait, I have this kit for sale (item #666) in the VCA Classifieds

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

Interesting... I am still waiting to receive an official notice from Chrysler concerning the ACR 5-points that were deemed to be unsafe almost a year ago. Seems like that would represent a significant liability for them due to the lack of action and or follow through.

The steering rack issue has been noted and a fix documented as Ray mentions in his post. This was prompted by failures on the track and appropriate determination of the cause by some of the track crews that had been affected. It has seemed odd to me that Chrysler hasn't ever addressed this problem, since it appears to be a weak link that they are aware of.

With the use of a vehicle on a track, as you move from the stock Michellin tires to the Hoosiers or to full racing slicks you would progressively increase the side loads that make the problem more likely to occur. Still an unnecessary and potentially dangerous weak link for a hand-built sports car...

 

[Viper Wizard]

As a Dealer not a WORD on this topic!

"Slow as Molasses on a Zero Day"

 

[TacDoc]

Taking JonB's advice on verbage I called the 800#, asked about the issue. I swear I could see the deer in the headlights look from the person on the phone. Naturally no clue. I got the ole "we'll call you if there is an issue" response.

BTW JonB, assuming parts 05018819AA, 050175Z4AA, and 050175Z5AA exist not for a recall issue, but for an addon, how much are they?

Greg
96 RT (luv the Borla JonB)
00 GTS (wife wont let me do the exhaust)

 

[Ron]

It's more than just the steering rack.....

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

Year: 1996 Make: DODGE Model: VIPER Recall Date: 10/09/2001

Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 4645
Manufactured: 06/1995 - 03/1999
Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCE CRACKS AT THE WELDS OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING BRACKET.
Consequence Summary:
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.
Corrective Summary:
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 steering rack affects through 10/2000 production.....

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

Year: 1996 Make: DODGE Model: VIPER Recall Date: 10/09/2001

Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 7050
Manufactured: 06/1995 - 10/2000
Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USED EXTENSIVELY IN TRACK TYPE RACING EVENTS AND SUBJECTED TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD EXPERIENCECRACKING OF THE STEERING RACK MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence Summary:
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.
Corrective Summary:
ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE A FIELD REPAIR KIT INSTALLED, CONSISTING OF LOWER FRAME RAIL REINFORCEMENT GUSSETS AND A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TacDoc:
Taking JonB's advice on verbage I called the 800#, asked about the issue. .....BTW JonB, assuming parts 05018819AA, 050175Z4AA, and 050175Z5AA exist not for a recall issue, but for an addon, how much are they? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I walked this plank a while back.... SEARCH "Steering gusset" with some cool photos posted by Dean Word III as I recall.
{I just dont know how to post links, photos, etc. sorry. Usually, someone chimes in to help! )

Anyway, these parts are all part of KIT. The kit is not priced, nor is it avialable for purchase...just as a Vin # specific recall item.

PS... WHOSOEVER has this reacall eventually done OUGHTTA add the rear toe links at the same time, just for the pure handling advantage

 

[Y2K5SRT]

A friend of mine just e-mailed me about this. Did anybody ever get an "official" recall notice in the mail or get the work done at a dealership? Inquiring minds want to know...

Chris

 

[Viper Wizard]

I have had the "Bracket Kit #5018820AA" on order with DC since 12/03/01, and as of 02/01/02 DC has not found a manufacturer for the "Reinforcement Package" yet?? It sounds like that they are not in a rush to produce it. Just like the 5-Point Belts!

 

[GTS Dean]

Whoever it is that makes the Viper frames for Chrysler has plenty of them sitting around in a couple of bins near the fabrication area. They are standard on '01 and '02 cars. By not releasing them, they aren't admitting a problem.