RoadVitals

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Aug 29, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 11, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera, most frequently naming the interior & seats, seat belts and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 356 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats133.3%
  • Seat belts133.3%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20E091000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

Dec 11, 2020
584 units potentially affected
The defect: Ohlins USA, Inc (Ohlins) is recalling certain Front Struts, part number POS 5N20. These struts were sold as part of Ohlins strut kits part number POZ MN02, intended for installation on 1999-2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 996), and 2001-2006 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 996) and kit part number POZ MN05, intended for installation on 2005-2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 997), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.
The risk: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.
Tenneco AutomotiveView on NHTSA.gov
04V070000

SEATS

Feb 18, 2004
1,805 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BACKS, WHICH DO NOT MEET PORSCHE'S STRENGTH STANDARDS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEATS COULD TWIST, TILTING ON ONE SIDE TO THE REAR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE FRONT SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Aug 29, 2007

2003 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA AFFECTED BY A SEAT RECALL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE IS IN THE DEALERS HANDS UNTIL THE SEATS ARE CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN THERE FOR 7 WEEKS. *KB THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE RECEIVED TO PERFORM THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE ASKED THE DEALER FOR A LOANER CAR AND ONE HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED, THE DEALER STATED IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE THE ISSUE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10201544
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 14, 2004

WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES VEHICLE OVER STANDING WATER OR SNOW DRIVER LOSES STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS THE WRONG TIRES, WHICH ARE NOT MADE FOR THE SNOW. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054013
Incident
Dec 12, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Sep 4, 2003

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FELL OFF THE CONSUMER'S SHOULDERS WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE RETRACTOR AND BUCKLE WERE STILL ENGAGED. *AK WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT AND THE PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS SLID OFF THEIR SHOULDERS WHEN LOOKING OVER THE LEFT AND RIGHT SHOULDERS. THERE WERE NO GUIDES ON THE SEATS TO KEEP THE BELTS IN AN APPROPRIATE POSITION. THIS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE SEAT BELT SLID OUT OF THE OUT BOARD SHOULDER. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10027117
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Mileage
5,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSTR 2642

Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000

SPTL 2607a

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

SPTL 2607

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

13/26

ENGINE

Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Porsche 911 Carrera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2021010—
2020150—
2017120—
2016000—
2015000—
2014310—
2013311—
2012030—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005310—
2004710—
2003Viewing320—
2002430—
2001110—
2000220—
1999132038.5
1998000—
1997100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.