Any known troubles with early build 2013s?

[former345bhpLS1]

Hello,

Is anyone aware of specific problems with the early 2013 cars vs late 2013/2014? I have heard that body panel fit is more variable and the door sensors are sensitive to moisture (AKA washing the car). Anything else or any reason to push for a 2014 vs a 2013.

Thank you for the info!

-Nick

[ViperSmith]

I've seen three people post issues of the door sensors getting wet and having issues staying closed. The dealers should be able to replace the sensor if you have issues.

Body gap issues, a few people have reported them. Nine Ball had his fixed by his dealer. There is a slight annoyance in one spot of my car, but I don't care much.

I had a burnt out LED in my headlight which they replaced the entire unit. The carpet was also pulling out from under the sill on the passenger side which was replaced.

[KRATEDISEASE]

biggest defect/trouble is that early 2013 builds cause eye stare from others

[slitherv10]

Was there not an issue from loss of power when at the dragstrip? Obviously not a concern if your not going to drag the car, but , still an issue nevertheless.

[Nine Ball]

#39 car here. The only notable "update" was a revised set of SRT hood vents. I had one that felt loose, dealership replaced all six with newer parts that look a tiny bit different and fit snug.

The reduced power issue I had at the drag strip, I'm leaning towards it being caused by doing a burnout with the brake pedal applied. I didn't do that at the last visit, and I went 10.9 in it. Same issue shows up when people dyno these cars, because front wheels are stationary and rear wheels are spinning. Someone at SRT hinted that maybe unplugging the front wheel speed sensors during those activities might help avoid the limp mode. Haven't tested this out.

[former345bhpLS1]

Was there not an issue from loss of power when at the dragstrip? Obviously not a concern if your not going to drag the car, but , still an issue nevertheless.

I think that is still an issue with later cars. I heard that one of the big challenges of getting the engine back in production was having adequate knock detection and now the ECU is very sensitive. Therefore it has a low threshold for pulling timing (burnouts do it, big driveline shocks might, etc). It seems that owners are managing to work around it, but it is still pending a real fix.

Thats what I've heard.

-Nick

[VENOM V]

I know of two issues on the early build cars.

As ViperSmith said, there were a few early cars with body gap issues, which are not present on the later 2013s or 2014s. Take a careful look at the car and make sure gaps look good. The front bumper cover can be shimmed to adjust it's alignment with the hood, if need be.

The other issue was with the horn switch inside the airbag assembly. SRT made an improvement to that, as a few early Vipers would honk intermittently. If your car has the issue, they'll replace it under warranty, so this is less of a concern to me personally.

[Policy Limits]

Doors pop open and horns sound in the middle of the night; at least one full blown lemon that we know of, could be others.

[stryker]

Had an interior panel fall off near the drivers seat belt

[Policy Limits]

F2V found shavings from the engine I believe & his car wouldn't start.

[V10LEE]

No issues here . Car runs good..

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

One huge disappointment of the 2014 TA is this:

I CANT AFFORD ONE RIGHT NOW !!!

[Next Phase]

The early 2013 Vipers are known to get beaten at the track by the ZR1. (Laguna Seca)

J/K... 62%

[Policy Limits]

Side pipes melted some material on a few early ones

[randd]

Mine is #15. Gaps look OK...nothing obvious.....might takes pics all around and post for those with more experience to judge

[Policy Limits]

The other trouble with early models is the people who actually paid MSRP lost 25% in six months LOL

[former345bhpLS1]

Cool, thank you for the details. Sounds like the known problems are easy to remedy or visible (panel gaps).

-Nick

[SilveRT8]

Biggest problem with mine is that they dont make snow tires for it, YET, so I had to store it and now wait for Spring to enjoy it again !

[Nine Ball]

Biggest problem with mine is that they dont make snow tires for it, YET, so I had to store it and now wait for Spring to enjoy it again !

I can have you some custom wheels built to work with snow tires though. Down to 18s all the way around, if required.

[cashcorn]

would luv to see some knock off sidewinder hyper wheels in 19"/20". that would really fill the gap.

[BlknBlu]

I have heard issues with the doors locking by themselves when the remote is in the car.

Bruce

[Policy Limits]

In seven months I haven't figured out how to turn off the radio; is there only the mute option??

[2010.Blue.White.ACR]

Heard of a few rear defrosters busting the window

[canadian viper]

In seven months I haven't figured out how to turn off the radio; is there only the mute option??

radio??? what radio.lol

[F2V]

In seven months I haven't figured out how to turn off the radio; is there only the mute option??

It appears so. Very strange, never saw that on a car radio before. I leave mine on mute.

[Policy Limits]

Glad it's not just me.

[Jack B]

You missed the last chapter, are you a relative of Michael Moore.


The early 2013 Vipers are known to get beaten at the track by the ZR1. (Laguna Seca)

J/K... 62%

[Jack B]

How about a off road set.


I can have you some custom wheels built to work with snow tires though. Down to 18s all the way around, if required.

[ViperTony]

F2V found shavings from the engine I believe & his car wouldn't start.

Talk to Tator about that. F2V was lucky. Tator told me other GenV's have blown engines because of shavings that weren't cleaned out of the oil pump area. He said it there have been issues whereby left-over shavings from some kind of manufacturing process surround the oil pump wreaked havoc on a few GenV's.

[Policy Limits]

I read one owners gas cap wouldn't open

[Jack B]

Tony

I cut apart my filter at 1000 miles and expected to find something in the filter. Even with a magnet there was zero debris, that is unusual.



Talk to Tator about that. F2V was lucky. Tator told me other GenV's have blown engines because of shavings that weren't cleaned out of the oil pump area. He said it there have been issues whereby left-over shavings from some kind of manufacturing process surround the oil pump wreaked havoc on a few GenV's.

[Cdubb]

#005 here and the only issue was a reduced power supposedly caused my the drop in K&N filter, put the stock one back no issues since.