RoadVitals

1985 Porsche 944

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.
2
Latest Dec 3, 2015
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 Apr 2, 1990
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Porsche 944, most frequently naming the engine and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 78 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

  • Engine150.0%
  • Steering150.0%

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

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
90V061000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Apr 2, 1990
53,427 units potentially affected
The defect: THE HOSE MATERIAL USED IN THE SHORT SECTION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE HOSE, BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, IS SUBJECT TO HARDENING, AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKS BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE METAL PIPE FITTINGS.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, OR ANY OTHER SOURCE OF IGNITION, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FUEL LINE HOSE WITH HOSES MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
85V039000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 9, 1985
1,530 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL HOSE MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN CRIMPING THE HOSE END FITTING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS IN SYSTEM PRESSURE AND ENGINE STALLING. ALSO, FUEL VAPORS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE IGNITED BY A SPARK AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: HOSES WILL BE MODIFIED BY CUTTING OFF THE CRIMPED END FITTING AND REPLACING IT WITH A NIPPLE FITTING SECURED WITH A SCREW TIGHTENED CLAMP.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
85V023000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Mar 1, 1985
5,916 units potentially affected
The defect: METAL BUSHINGS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. ALSO, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BUSHINGS AND THE SHAFT; AND THE LINKAGE POINTS WERE NOT LUBRICATED. THUS, CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BIND, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK IN A DEPRESSED POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD CONTINUE AT SET SPEED AND CAN'T BE REDUCED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE METAL BUSHINGS WITH THE PLASTIC VERSION.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Dec 3, 2015

DURING TURNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WILL SOMETIMES "LOCK" OR "JAM". IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED STEERING COUPLER, MANUFACTURER'S PART NUMBER 944 347 027 01 - DRIVE SHAFT. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRUTE FORCE THE STEERING. A WOMAN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, I MY HUMBLE OPINION. NO ACCIDENT HAS RESULTED. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID
10808134
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Mileage
95,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2013
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING ALONG IN MY RECENTLY PURCHASED PORSCHE 944, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE ENTIRE UNDERHOOD AREA IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THERE WERE NO LEAKS, AND THE WIRING DID NOT HAVE ANY VISIBLE PROBLEMS. UNTIL YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU DO NOT REALIZE JUST HOW TERRIFYING IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500184
Incident
Feb 26, 2013
Mileage
144,443 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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. 32-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils

No. 35-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils

PIWIS2302r

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041

PIWIS2302q

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035

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 944 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993000—
1992000—
1991010—
1990000—
1989100—
1988320—
1987411—
1986420—
1985Viewing230—
1984020—
1983320—

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.