RoadVitals

1990 Porsche 911

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.
1
Latest Feb 26, 1997
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.
4
Latest Aug 8, 1996
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1990 Porsche 911, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 92 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

  • Body & structure1100.0%

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

4 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

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Aug 8, 1996
12,538 units potentially affected
The defect: A PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT CRACKED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NOISE AND FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR CRACKS AND WILL REPLACE CRACKED JOINTS WITH NEW PARTS.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dec 7, 1993
11,346 units potentially affected
The defect: AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER.
The risk: THE OVERLOADED RESISTOR CAN CREATE HEAT SUFFICIENT TOIGNITE THE PLASTIC AIR PIPE TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED, RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: PORSCHE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW RESISTOR CONTAINING A CIRCUIT BREAKER.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 5, 1992
11,091 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BALL SOCKETS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BREAK, ALLOWING THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE TO BECOME DETACHED ON ONE END AND JAM ON NEARBY COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD IMPAIR THROTTLE PLATE OPERATION.
The risk: IMPAIRED THROTTLE PLATE OPERATION COULD PREVENT THEENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE, RESULTING IN UNWANTED ENGINE SPEED AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT PLASTIC BALL SOCKETS WITH A NEW LINKAGE USING STEEL BALL SOCKETS, AND LUBRICATE THE CRUISE CONTROL RELAY LEVER. OWNERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL THE MODIFICATION IS INSTALLED.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 1997

HOOD CYLINDER FAILED 2 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA ID
515070
Incident
Dec 15, 1996

Manufacturer communications

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

No. 2404

EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN

Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera

PIWIS2302s

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052

No. 33-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils

No. 35-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils

No. 32-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils

PIWIS2302r

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025020
2024530
2023350
2022104050.0
2021560
2020320
2019210
2018111
2017331
2016221
2015810
2014310
2013600
2012500
2005301
2004801
2003901
2002901
2001801
2000610
1999810
1998210
1997310
1996633
1995120250.5
1994011
1993020
1992240
1991140
1990Viewing140
1989050
1988100
1987100
1984110
1983110
1979020
1978010
1977021
1976020
1975020
1974030
1973030
1972010
1970030
1969030
1967010
1966010

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.