RoadVitals

1996 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.
6
Latest Mar 10, 2005
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.
3
Latest Nov 27, 1998
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.
3
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Porsche 911, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 142 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

  • Airbags228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

3 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
98V089001

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Nov 27, 1998
1,968 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAN OCCUR.
The risk: DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND A SPECIAL FILTER HORN RELAY WILL BE INSTALLED THAT PROTECTS THE AIR BAG UNIT FROM VOLTAGE PEAKS.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95V247000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Dec 28, 1995
91 units potentially affected
The defect: THE COVER SLEEVES ON THE EXHAUST TAILPIPES HAVE BEEN SECURED WITH ONLY TWO INSTEAD OF FOUR WELDING SPOTS.
The risk: THE COVER COULD LOOSEN DURING DRIVING AND DETACH CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR NEARBY PEDESTRIANS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAILPIPES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM WITH TAILPIPES ON WHICH THE COVER SLEEVE HAS BEEN SECURED WITH FOUR WELDING SPOTS.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95V248000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Dec 28, 1995
30 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INSIDE PIPES OF THE HEAT EXCHANGERS MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO CRACKING.
The risk: WITH THE HEATER SWITCHED ON, EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ENTRY OF EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD, IN EXTREME CASES, CAUSE ASPHYXIATION AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT EXCHANGER IN THESE VEHICLES.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ98017ClosedRecall Query

INADVERTENT DRIVER'S SID AIR BAG

Opened Oct 6, 1998
Closed Feb 16, 1999

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG REPORTEDLY CAN DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN.

AIR BAGS:FRONTALLed to recall 98V089001
EA96002ClosedEngineering Analysis

ALLEGED WHEEL FAILURE

Opened Mar 29, 1996
Closed Apr 30, 1996

ALLEGED WHEEL FAILURES WHEN RUNNING OVER NORMAL ROAD HAZARD.

WHEELS
DP95006ClosedDefect Petition

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELS

Opened Oct 6, 1995
Closed Mar 19, 1996

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELS

WHEELS

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Mar 10, 2005

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS 1996 PORSCHE 911 BUT FOR INSURANCE REASONS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM STORAGE UNTIL APRIL 1, 2005. *NM (CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKING MECHANISM MOTOR) THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL#04V601000 *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10115580
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 23, 2002

PE 01 031/ WIRING HARNESS INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.ENGINE WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH, AND A/C WOULD NOT OPERATE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.AK

NHTSA ID
8019179
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 1998
1 injury reported

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER REACHED OVER AND TOUCH CASING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INTO HIS HANDS, CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA ID
541546
Incident
Sep 7, 1998
Airbags
Filed Jun 30, 1998

WHILE REACHING INSIDE VEHICLE HOLDING A CHILD IN HAND, AND VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER PRESSED HORN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRE BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
824827
Incident
Jun 26, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 12, 1997

SUDDEN ACCELERATON.

NHTSA ID
521034
Incident
Jul 23, 1997
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 5, 1997

TIRES--VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED AND CRASHED.

NHTSA ID
514543

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

PIWIS2401j

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020

No. D8

Product knowledge for the chassis and VIN numbering systems

PIWIS2401f

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.008

PIWIS2401e

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE

Information on PIWIS tester update 42.500.005

PIWIS2302s

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052

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—
1996Viewing633—
1995120250.5
1994011—
1993020—
1992240—
1991140—
1990140—
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.