RoadVitals

1997 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.
3
Latest Aug 7, 2022
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.
1
Latest Feb 24, 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.
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 1997 Porsche 911, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and tires & wheels categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 151 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

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Driver assistance133.3%
  • 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

1 campaign 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
98E005000

AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Feb 24, 1998
32 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: CHILD SEATING SYSTEM AIR BAG DEACTIVATION KIT FOR USE ON 1997-1998 911 CARRERA S, CARRERA 4, CARRERA 4S, AND TURBO (1997 MODEL ONLY), PART NO. 993 803 283 00, AND 1997-1998 BOXSTER MODEL VEHICLES, PART NOS. 996 803 283 00 AND 996 803 083 00. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE CONTACT BUCKLE (WHICH IS PART OF THE KIT) DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE AIR BAG(S).
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS RESULTS IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) WHICH COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BAG DEACTIVATION KIT.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 7, 2022

This is the second time this brand of tire has slipped off the wheel while on the Highway at 55 miles an hour or better. It put me as the driver at severe risk and the car has been damaged twice now. The tire size is Continentals Sport Plus 265/35 ZR 18. They were like new with little mileage. This is a collector item car and cost to repair is great, not to mention how it has forever created a fear in me, of having this happen again. I could have been severely injured if I was not such a good driver. I believe it is tire failure as the tire ripped from itself. There is still tire left on the edge of the rim. AAA saw the damage when they came to put on the spare. I will show it to my tire store this week as it happened on a weekend and they were closed. I will also have my car inspected for damage this week. I did take photos both times. Since this is the second time this has happened with the same type of tire, I believe it to be the tire being faulty and is a high risk for severe injury.

NHTSA ID
11478009
Incident
Aug 6, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 11, 1998

ENGINE RACED TO 4500RPMS FROM 1000 RPMS AND DID NOT IDLE AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD. DRIVER TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, RESTARTED AND THE ENGINE RACED TO 4500RPMS. DRIVER INSPECTED THROTTLE AND IT DID NOT APPEAR STUCK. HE BELIEVES IT MAYBE A COMPUTER GLITCH.

NHTSA ID
539718
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Airbags
Filed Jan 9, 1997

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON, DEALER REPLACED AIRBAG UNIT, STILL COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ID
807348
Incident
Jan 6, 1997

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—
1997Viewing310—
1996633—
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.