WTF is going on with Viper Parts

[ViperGeorge]

Anyone that has tried to buy Viper parts recently knows this is getting to be pretty darn difficult. SRT Oil Filters are out of stock. Heck even the non-SRT Mopar filter for vehicles like Jeep are in short supply. Ball joints are discontinued as are control arm bushings. Side sills for ACRs are discontinued. Control arms are getting real hard to find and are expensive. Window Regulators are on national back order (some 30 of them). Windows for Gen 3/4 can't be found. Steering racks are unavailable. Door latch mechanisms can't be found. Other parts are stupid expensive. Need a shock for an ACR? $4500 for one.

Yes, there are some aftermarket replacements available and some repair services but very few. 2017s are only 5 years old but may end up sitting idle in want of a part.

I'm sure FCA will claim that it is all about Covid. BS. Everyone blames everything on Covid. Go to a hotel, no housekeeping, why? Covid. Torando hits the mid-west, probably Covid.

The club got involved to get tires made in our sizes from Continental. Can the club pressure FCA to get Viper parts made again? Heck we don't just own Vipers. I own Jeeps and Rams too. Don't they give a Sh!t that they are pissing off some of their best customers? The club should gather data on how many FCA vehicles members own and then use this as leverage. Something has to happen or these cars will become undrivable when stuff breaks. On our recent trip to New Mexico with our local club Wayne Rauh blew out a passenger window in a 2010 coupe. None available. He and his wife D'Ann have 80 Vipers and he can't get one. Is FCA really that stupid?

So now we have people paying $300,000 or more for Gen 5 Vipers. How pissed will they be if their window stops working because of a bad regulator or they need a side sill because their toddler runs his big wheel into the side of their car?

By the way, if anyone has a right side glass for a Gen 4 coupe and is willing to part with it PM me and I will let Wayne know.

[13COBRA]

As far as the window goes, I'd call BJ Motors, and see if the ACR-X Clone they have listed had the windows somewhere along the line.


I always thought the manufacturers had to be able to produce parts for 10 model years after production ended? So Gen IIIs through 2016, Gen IVs through 2020 and Gen Vs through 2027.

[ViperGeorge]

As far as the window goes, I'd call BJ Motors, and see if the ACR-X Clone they have listed had the windows somewhere along the line.


I always thought the manufacturers had to be able to produce parts for 10 model years after production ended? So Gen IIIs through 2016, Gen IVs through 2020 and Gen Vs through 2027.

If that is true, someone needs to tell FCA. I think that only applies to emission parts though.

Just researched this. Apparently it is false. Manufacturers are only required to have parts available during the warranty period. If they fail to provide parts during the warranty period they could be required to pay for a new vehicle. However, the EPA requires them to pay for repairs of emission equipment for 8 years. They don't need to stock parts for emissions, just pay for repairs. I suppose they could pay for aftermarket parts like Cats if available.

[CNU_Physics]

I thought that too but with my 2006 GTO, I couldn't find a differential back in 2012 for it because it was discontinued. It doesn't seem like they follow that 10 year rule all the way through.

[camarochevy1970]

there is no law saying how long parts have to be made

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/202...for-older-cars

[PkB2014]

Yeah, it's getting very worrisome. I love the car, but do we keep it and hope nothing breaks. ha! right! or trade now at a high point and go to something that they for sure will make parts for a long time? (Porsche GT4-RS, Lotus Emira, Z06, come to mind)

[13COBRA]

If that is true, someone needs to tell FCA. I think that only applies to emission parts though.

Just researched this. Apparently it is false. Manufacturers are only required to have parts available during the warranty period. If they fail to provide parts during the warranty period they could be required to pay for a new vehicle. However, the EPA requires them to pay for repairs of emission equipment for 8 years. They don't need to stock parts for emissions, just pay for repairs. I suppose they could pay for aftermarket parts like Cats if available.

Interesting. I knew it had to do with warranty, but thought it had to coincide with the manufactures offered extended warranties as well, which can extend to 10 years.

Quite unfortunate.

[StrokerAce]

Odd. When I was with Hitachi we had to keep molds for ten years (ductile iron castings) as we had to be able to produce parts for that period of time after the last unit rolled out of production. Maybe something has changed.

[13COBRA]

Is this the passenger glass?

https://www.jksuperstore.com/oem-par...caAtXfEALw_wcB

[ViperGeorge]

Is this the passenger glass?

https://www.jksuperstore.com/oem-par...caAtXfEALw_wcB

Yes but when you try to order from any of these places they take your order and then later send you an email that it is currently unavailable. They all get the glass from Mopar they don't stock it. Mopar does not have any as of now. In fact many of these online Mopar stores are simply Dodge Dealer Parts Departments.

[13COBRA]

Yes but when you try to order from any of these places they take your order and then later send you an email that it is currently unavailable. They all get the glass from Mopar they don't stock it. Mopar does not have any as of now. In fact many of these online Mopar stores are simply Dodge Dealer Parts Departments.

Right.

If you get one decent parts counterman on the phone, he can search the country in every dealer's inventory.

I also imagine he's reached out to JonB?

[RedTanRT/10]

Kind of surprised items like SRT oil filters are backordered. The other parts I do understand. The limited Viper production keeps the aftermarket out of most of our parts since the cost to tool and build can't be recovered in small volumes. I've had my G1 since '96 and can tell you of a number of service parts that are NLA, and of course body parts are long gone.

I went to an Acura NSX test drive event about 3 years ago at the Honda test track out here. They made a point to tell prospective owners they were committed to supply all parts for 25 years. I was impressed since they build/sold 500-1000 per year.

[finalleaf]

Yup, tried to order a bunch of things, even a goddam plastic trim, nothing available.

Asked 2 local dealers for Gen V passenger regulators, one told me the part was obsolete, the other said it's on national backorder with 30+ standing orders and no ETA. Not sure what to do in the future, I can find lotus elise parts easier than viper parts at this point

[Cantdrivestick]

Geez... this definitely makes us all reconsider. What about us "10 year 10k drivetrain warranty" folks? Think they'll keep those parts available?

[Lawineer]

I guess this is what happens when a major auto manufacturer makes 3000 of a car...

[13COBRA]

I guess this is what happens when a major auto manufacturer makes 3000 of a car...

You're missing a 0.

[PkB2014]

Kind of surprised items like SRT oil filters are backordered. The other parts I do understand. The limited Viper production keeps the aftermarket out of most of our parts since the cost to tool and build can't be recovered in small volumes. I've had my G1 since '96 and can tell you of a number of service parts that are NLA, and of course body parts are long gone.

I went to an Acura NSX test drive event about 3 years ago at the Honda test track out here. They made a point to tell prospective owners they were committed to supply all parts for 25 years. I was impressed since they build/sold 500-1000 per year.

I'm not surprised coming from Honda. And I'm not surprised we can't find parts 5 years later for a 2017 Viper.

[Lawineer]

I guess this is what happens when a major auto manufacturer makes 3000 of a car...

I was referring to Gen 5. I get some parts are compatible, but most aren't.
Even still, 30k cars across 5 generations and 25 years isn't any better than 3000 total of one car.

[CNU_Physics]

I guess it's a good thing they used some stuff from the Gen 4 on this car. Imagine if the Gen 5 was completely unique in every way, this would be even more impossible.

[ViperGeorge]

Wayne did have a dealer search nationwide inventory but there were none available anywhere. However he did find a window in Texas finally. JonB could have supplied a used OEM one or an aftermarket one but getting one in Texas close to his home was the easiest thing for Wayne to do. By the way who knew someone was making aftermarket door glass for a Gen 4? JonB did!

In any event the problem remains, parts are getting really hard to find. JonB can provide some new parts and some used parts given his extensive inventory for sure. He was able to provide me with a left side window regulator for my 08. It may have been the last one anywhere. Now I'm thinking I need to hoard parts.

[SRT_BluByU]

Good thing we have this forum to pull resources to find things..

[swexlin]

Anyone that has tried to buy Viper parts recently knows this is getting to be pretty darn difficult. SRT Oil Filters are out of stock. Heck even the non-SRT Mopar filter for vehicles like Jeep are in short supply. Ball joints are discontinued as are control arm bushings. Side sills for ACRs are discontinued. Control arms are getting real hard to find and are expensive. Window Regulators are on national back order (some 30 of them). Windows for Gen 3/4 can't be found. Steering racks are unavailable. Door latch mechanisms can't be found. Other parts are stupid expensive. Need a shock for an ACR? $4500 for one.

Yes, there are some aftermarket replacements available and some repair services but very few. 2017s are only 5 years old but may end up sitting idle in want of a part.

I'm sure FCA will claim that it is all about Covid. BS. Everyone blames everything on Covid. Go to a hotel, no housekeeping, why? Covid. Torando hits the mid-west, probably Covid.

The club got involved to get tires made in our sizes from Continental. Can the club pressure FCA to get Viper parts made again? Heck we don't just own Vipers. I own Jeeps and Rams too. Don't they give a Sh!t that they are pissing off some of their best customers? The club should gather data on how many FCA vehicles members own and then use this as leverage. Something has to happen or these cars will become undrivable when stuff breaks. On our recent trip to New Mexico with our local club Wayne Rauh blew out a passenger window in a 2010 coupe. None available. He and his wife D'Ann have 80 Vipers and he can't get one. Is FCA really that stupid?

So now we have people paying $300,000 or more for Gen 5 Vipers. How pissed will they be if their window stops working because of a bad regulator or they need a side sill because their toddler runs his big wheel into the side of their car?

By the way, if anyone has a right side glass for a Gen 4 coupe and is willing to part with it PM me and I will let Wayne know.

The answer is no, they don't care. This was another reason (the first being Cable wanted to buy my car, LOL) that I sold. I knew the Viper, which was never well supported nor like by FCA or most dealer in the first place, would become an expensive garage sculpture as parts were discontinued. And yes good luck on getting the new engine under warrnty....or a ECU computer if it blows.

[Pappy]

Disappointing, but not the end of the world. I know we all want to keep our cars as original as possible, but down the road you may have to make a choice between using non-OEM parts and just parking it. There aren't many parts that can't be built from scratch, although some of them could be at great expense. With 3D printing and CNC machining, most parts could be functionally duplicated. It is not all that hard to pull molds off good (or repaired) body panels and duplicated in carbon fiber. I know this thinking is out there, but as a lot of ICE cars become dinosaurs with the uncontrolled push for electric, I think a lot of vehicles will face the same kind of shortages we are seeing. I'm just not going to let the bastards get me down.

Edit: Just to expand a little - The P-51 Mustang was the "last of a breed" and the OEM hasn't made parts in probably 60+ years. Yet there are flying examples that are worth something on the order of ten times the value of a complete. pristine-looking but inoperable static display aircraft. The flyers are maintained with remanufactured or custom built parts, and still command attention wherever they go, not to mention being an absolute blast to fly. I think eventually fuel (and 9mm ammo) will be the biggest problem(s), but there is always ethanol (and big rocks).

[Policy Limits]

Just did my seventh oil change. For the first time it was extremely difficult to find a filter.

[13COBRA]

Just did my seventh oil change. For the first time it was extremely difficult to find a filter.

Hopefully you bought 20.

We're having a hell of a time at my store getting diesel oil, diesel filters and select vehicle filters. It's nuts. I run Wix on my VCC, I bought 25 or so last fall.