AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
2017 Porsche 911
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Porsche 911, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 529 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 3 months of data.
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical133.3%
- Engine133.3%
- Visibility133.3%
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.govVISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
While driving 40 miles per hour a sudden explosion happened with no warning. Thought it was the engine due to the smoke coming out of rear of the vehicle but realized that engine was still on and steam was coming out. All coolant drained out of vehicle and on road. Vehicle was towed to a Porsche dealership in Duluth Ga. The coolant tank exploded causing minor body damage and sudden loss of all coolant. The dealer replaced the shattered coolant tank but found no cause as to why the pressure got so high to cause the tank to explode. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11689476
- Incident
- Sep 18, 2025
The rear window seal is severely breaking apart, severely cracked and others are melting. This may affect condensation inside the vehicle and potentially be a safety hazard. Several reports on this problem can be seen at porsche forums. I believe this is a manufacturing defect and is a potential safety hazard on many porsche vehicles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11631125
- Incident
- Dec 16, 2024
My air conditioner/heater fan does not come on after car has been sitting for a few days in a humid climate. This problem is documented with a temporary fix on the static.nhsta.gov site. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10186302-0001.pdf The problem is it happens to me every week or so. There is no permanent fix. This is a safety issue because without the fan motor the defroster doesn't work and the windows can fog up creating a dangerous situation.
- NHTSA ID
- 11478877
- Incident
- Aug 10, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000
VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation
VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation
POWER TRAIN
Warranty Information: Warranty Extension for Transmission Electronics Control Unit (18/26)
ENGINE
Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2017Viewing | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2003 | 9 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2002 | 9 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2001 | 8 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 6 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 1995 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 50.5 |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.