Viper SmartStart Reviews

I wavered between 1 or 2 stars because when ViperSmartStart/system functions properly, it’s amazing however, that’s a rare event. I’ve had countless fault codes, false indications that the vehicle has started and running, claims of low cellular coverage when all devices are working fine, all while receiving 0% support from Viper.

I reached out over a month ago to customer service and received an automated reply that they were experiencing high volume and wouldn’t be able to get back to me quickly. I then received 3 subsequent identical (likely automated) emails from “James” asking if my issue had been resolved and to reply if not. I’ve made replies and included screenshots of the fault codes but to no avail.

I reached out to customer support when I was experiencing account issues via phone and was promised all had been fixed and my promotional service plan had been applied. This process took nearly an hour with it actually not being applied and still costing me $ to get app access.

I took my truck back in to get the system inspected and they were kind enough to install a new module and extended range key fob. That works great and I wish I had never bothered with the unreliable Smartstart. As it is, I’ve paid for it and am going to limp it along and hope for support from Viper.

In short, I hope your experience is better than mine but I wouldn’t install this system or trust it until the customer support improves along with the system.

ViperSmartStart worked in tandem with the Viper system great for the first few years. Then it started taking 2-4 attempts to get it to connect and start(car doesn’t have good signal or app can’t connect we’re most of the error messages). The past 2 years there have been times that I’ve given up trying to start the car after 7 attempts. Over the past 2 years I have been reaching out numerous times to customer service for help resolving these issues. Sometimes I get a response and sometimes I don’t. Even when I do get a response, it’s most often a canned response that my message has been received. When I do get a response from an actual person it is always to say that they’re working on my problem and will get back to me, but no one ever has. Don’t get me wrong, this product was great while it worked but there if there are problems you can expect no help whatsoever from SmartStart. I have a service call with my dealership soon and I will be talking to them about removing this product and replacing it with something reliable.

I’ve been using the viper app for about two years now. One of the features I absolutely loved was the widget. It’s extremely convenient! But unfortunately for the past few months the widget just reads “unable to load” and has no function. I already contacted Apple and vipers support
teams over the phone and neither one was able to help me. In fact multiple viper support members told me “I didn’t even know we had a widget”... so after months of trying to correct this the widget still doesn’t work. Everything else with ViperSmartStart , however, works fine.

Update: I called the number I was given in the response and the representative I talked to seemed very confused when I mentioned the widget issue. His initial response was “Why even use the widget? But okay” and “They told you to call here?”. I did mention sending the details to Teir 3 and he seemed even more confused about that. He also added “well you know thousands of people use ViperSmartStart every day and this is the first I’m hearing about it”, but in the end he said he put in a ticket. Very disappointed with the customer service that time around.

Over the last 10 years I’ve had 5 different cars with aftermarket remote starts and alarm systems from directed through their various brands. The DS4 plus now in 2018 was my hope to solve the extra key fob plus having Bluetooth sounds like a dream. Well it still needs work. Anything less than 30 feet with one wall in between the car and myself won’t allow Bluetooth to work. Doesn’t matter which app you try (Directed and Viper) still same result. Many failed attempts to start the vehicle. The watch app on the other hand... That 100% of time it’s launched it asked you to connect your watch to your phone. It’s always connected... never works unless you launch the watch app and wait and wait and maybe it will connect and the you can try to start, lock or unlock the vehicle but it’s probably not going to work. Needs more frequent updates. They DS4 plus is in a 2015 Subaru Outback.

No Apple Watch face icon. All kinds of apps have this. It makes the process annoying to even use the watch app. Time waster.

On the iPhone XS IOS 12.2:
Random delays in reacting to lock/unlock
Non intuitive navigation trying to go back to the controls to actually arm or disarm the alarm or remote start

It works but way the UI is organized is a mess. It feels like it was just thrown together and could benefit from a new UI focusing on UX ( seriously seek out a team that specializes in this and stop whoever is doing your current UI from touching anything related to the user experience. It’s that bad. Come up with use cases for the things customers will do the most often ( hoping you added some sensible analytics to track these things ahead of time... ) ViperSmartStart has the feel of the kind of those packaged with generic knock off / cheap electronics you would find on dhgate imported illegally from China. It isn’t even clear that you need to pay to activate the smart start service. The car just isn’t active on the map until you do and once you pay the car magically comes back to life on the map. Not clear in ViperSmartStart . At all.

I’m using an Apple Watch series 4 with cellular and gps on watch OS 5.2 an iPhone XS iOS 12.2

NEW: Passcode setting no longer works after most recent app update; app can be accessed without passcode. Please help!

So what’s the model number for the digital system? The only system I was ever offered is the one I have. Thanks. Enabling/Disabling valet mode should be a basic function that can be controlled through ViperSmartStart , especially after upgrading to a 4G LTE unit. Depending upon which 3rd party licensed vendor installs system, it maybe difficult (or impossible) to locate the valet switch. Increasing/decreasing auto-start run time should be another basic function controlled with ViperSmartStart . There’s a “digital” unit that allows you to diagnose car problems (for extra fees/costs, I’m sure)….but I’m not a mechanic! Lol. I rather be able to increase/decrease auto-start run time and enable/disable valet mode via ViperSmartStart . Please consider ViperSmartStart developers. Sincerely, a valued customer for over 10 years.

My alarm is installed in my minivan which I use for work. With the van parked in front of my home I felt secure and did not have an alarm. After my van was broken into, in front of my home I decided to have an alarm installed, I heard of an alarm that used the cell network, which I did not believe at first. It is true- this alarm has a fob for my key ring and also an app for my cell phone. I mostly use the key fob but ViperSmartStart is always on. The alarm on ViperSmartStart has never failed- if the alarm goes off I get a notification on my phone; arming and disarming the alarm with my phone is not 100% percent reliable so I always keep the alarm fob handy. I’ve only had one break-in since I’ve had the alarm; it was my fault for forgetting to set the alarm at work. The only reason I rated the system four stars is the 15-20% failures of my cell phone arming or disarming the system- keeping the fob handy makes it a nuisance instead of a crisis. If someone asks about alarms I recommend the system, being able to check remotely if I remembered to set the alarm, and the reliability of the notification.

Had the system professionally installed. When I first used it, I loved everything about it. A week into having it, it stopped working saying there was no service on my vehicle. Issue persisted, and my installer replaced my hardware. I should’ve tested it before leaving because it still is not working. Called Viper customer service and they tried everything to get you off the phone. Rep said they will follow up with me later today, and I sent out an email requesting help. No one from Viper seems to want to help. Will go back to installer to see if there is anything they can do.

Update:
Installer said I had a bad unit they replaced it for free. A year later and I have had no major issues. One in a while I will get a false start message or failed to start message. Just have to try it again and it works perfectly by the 2nd try. The watch app for it was a little buggy at first and would want me open ViperSmartStart on the iPhone but after closing it numerous times on my watch it eventually worked. Lately it’s been working on the first try go figure.

My only true annoyance is that my power lift gate that worked prior to having my unit replaced worked with ViperSmartStart , now it doesn’t. I rather not complete about it because i still use my key fob primarily to open my lift gate anyways.

The iPhone app has quite a few features, but I feel like some basic UI stuff is missing from the Apple Watch app. First, one thing I REALLY WANT is on the main dashboard of the iPhone app I wish it would tell me if the car is locked or unlocked without having to lock or unlock it first or go to the my car status information.

For the Apple Watch, ViperSmartStart seriously needs a complication. ViperSmartStart also should tell us if it’s locked, unlocked, engine running and for how many more minutes. It would be awesome if the complication could give a countdown on the 15 minute runtime.

I loved the viper for its phone and watch integration, but I find myself using my key fob most often because the iPhone is annoying to get out when I’m rushing around in the mornings and I never know what I’m going to get with the watch app. Did the car actually start? Is it locked or not? How much time do I have left? With the Apple Watch only gaining more popularity, app developers need to continue focusing on developing their Apple Watch apps as well. Please update yours with a few more features and it would be a solid 5!

I love ViperSmartStart and the product. I have the Smart Start and Security package, and it really does work quite well. I would only throw out two negatives though: price and start time. I've never owned a vehicle that was "nice and warm" after 12 minutes without driving (the cut off time for the Smart Start). Realistically, it's warm after 2 starts. The signal is spotty at best at the vehicle. I’ve tried rebooting ViperSmartStart and starting giving the command to start multiple times, but the vehicle’s system is pretty regularly out of service. That would make it worthy of 2 stars; HOWEVER, the key fob starter has extremely long range, which will still work when the SmartStart app won’t connect with the vehicle. It needs improvements, but I still recommend the product.

Not long ago I had the SmartStart add-on added to my older Clifford system and basic functionality has been fine. I chose this option over replacing the 2-way remote fob. Starting/stopping, locking/unlocking all have been reliable over the 1st few weeks of use. However, this time has highlighted some (seemingly) simple improvements that would improve usability of this product. (1) Make an Apple Watch complication. Now the biggest inconvenience is pulling out your phone, opening it, locating ViperSmartStart in order to lock/unlock your doors. Was surprised to find I couldn’t add SmartStart as a complication to an Apple Watch face. This would be a significant usability improvement. (2) When the car has been remote started, it would be nice if the dashboard included a countdown timer showing how long until the unit auto-shuts off. My Clifford 2-way remote provided thistle. (3) On the iPhone app, the status screen should hold the previous status info until you click the refresh button. Also would like to be able to click on the individual status categories and see history. This would be especially useful on the Battery Voltage Status... as I recently had a weak battery and with very cold weather affecting a car’s battery especially when in a weakened state, it would be nice to have this info available. (4) Lastly, add Face ID/Touch ID to the passcode functionality. Hope to see these features in the near future.

So I like ViperSmartStart and I love it but I would prefer pressing a button like lock and unlock to start my vehicle should be optional like in the setting to use one or the other, then swiping up when I swipe up sometimes I swipe to my home screen cause that’s the only time I swipe up realistically and so it’s a more or less of a “instinct or habit” I’m kinda stuck on doing it over again. Literally wake up and then go to ViperSmartStart and start my car go change and eat boom by time I’m back cars all ready to go ——

Update
If you use the widget on iPhone it’s just a button and I love even more now started using that. Wish there was a way to implement this on lock screen tho or in the Notification Center and if some how your phones in your pocket it’s pop up with a confirm button along with vibrate the phone

After going through the learning curve I’d have to say ViperSmartStart does a good job in keeping track of my vehicle. Mind you, it’s dependent on the accuracy of the GPS system that allows a wide birth to actual physical location. For example, I could never get ViperSmartStart to show my vehicles pin point location. I was forced to use my neighbors address as my vehicles home on ViperSmartStart . Also, the heading is skewed—never points In vehicles actual direction. I could be how the sensor/s was/were installed. Not really a big fan of the apps inability to communicate with my vehicle at times. Lastly the python system I use will drain the vehicles battery within two days if not continually trickle charged rendering ViperSmartStart useless.

I had a company install an alarm that was not a viper but a similar knock off. The alarm was crappy and the wiring was faulty. I had the alarm replaced within the first week by a different company with a Viper. It works flawlessly and reliably. I am excited about the features offered with the viper system. Initially I was hesitant to purchase the system with phone control and GPS because of the service agreement and fees. So far I am very happy with the features offered in that packaged. Everyone has different budgets and reasons for an alarm system. I like the ability to remote start and see if the vehicle is running or not, as well as the GPS location of the vehicle. The service plan is a first world issue. You can use the 2 way remote without the service plan and save a few dollars, but for me the iPhone app and GPS are extra features I choose. Highly recommend this system don’t accept knock offs or off brand, and hopefully you will have a great installer like the one I found.

My first aftermarket automobile security system was for my 1996 Ford Bronco. I felt it was a good security system. Then in 1999 I upgraded to a “Viper” remote start automobile security system. I’ve purchased two other vehicles since my Bronco, and they both got “Viper “ automobile security systems installed in them. Viper engineers and design teams have improved them abilities and I’m the one who benefits from there superior products. I remember my first one, I tested it from with in a store that had 20ft. block walls, I was so jazzed that it had started up my Bronco, and when I walked into the parking lot, got to my vehicle Andrew activate the door unlock button, I was happy, I got in and my heater was left on and I was instantly in 78 degree temperature.

It’s so useful to be able to start my car from anywhere, never have to worry about range. I live in Alaska and auto starts are a must have up here. I have the basic package so it’s only one way control but even though it doesn’t say “your car is started” it still shows when the command goes through, and it always works so I don’t worry about it much anyways. If you have a compatible auto start I highly recommend the smart start upgrade, and your first year is free when you buy the smart start module so you don’t have to worry about the subscription right when you get it. Highly recommend to anyone who uses their autostart multiple times a day.

This is the greatest thing I’ve ever added to my car! I’ve had remote starters on all my cars since 1999 but this is the first time I’ve had a smart start. I have to say it’s awesome. It starts my car from anywhere, I can check to make sure the doors are locked if I forgot to lock them, pop the trunk and see the cars location. I even have it setup to roll up or down my windows and sunroof!

Bottom line.....
It’s great, I love it and it was well worth the money! I pay about a quarter a day to have the ability to make sure my car is secure and has the ability to start from anywhere and see my runtime. ViperSmartStart work great for me on my iPhone XS I’ve had no issues!

While leaving my house and walking to the car my phone is still hooked up, somewhat to Wi-Fi. As I am walking I would attempt to unlock the car and as I do my phone is transferring from Wi-Fi to cellular data and as the car is trying to unlock that cause ViperSmartStart to not respond and shows an error that it was unable to unlock the vehicle. This goes for any option on ViperSmartStart .

Finally I realized it was because of that reason. ViperSmartStart performs fine, that is the only problem I have with this system. Just wanted people to know because I was confused on why that was happening. ViperSmartStart works great!

There has been an app update in the past few weeks that unfortunately broke the vehicle location function. The locating vehicle button in my app is untappable all the time. I am quite sure this is a bug in ViperSmartStart because through an old version installed on my other phone the locating function works as expected. I hope engineers could solve this problem asap. Update: the response here is timely and helpful. Turned out my plan was downgraded for unknown reasons. I have contacted customer support who quickly resolved the issue. I have no problem with GPS any more.

Have Smart Start installed on my work vehicles. In my business I have to keep track of trucks throughout the day for better customer service. GPS tracking is a must. Keep in mind it’s not real time tracking, pin point location. Speed is also capture for safety check.
When guys lock keys in van. No problem easy as pushing a button on I phone to unlock.
All vehicles can be easily started from phone so they are warmed up and ready to roll.
Product is only as good as satellite service in area. I’m fortunate to be in an area with no major issues.