RoadVitals

1986 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.
4
Latest Dec 3, 2014
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.
2
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Porsche 944, most frequently naming the fuel system and driver assistance categories. 2 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

  • Fuel system375.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%

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

2 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

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

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

Jun 12, 1986
17,717 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE COVERING OF THE RETURN FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL RETURN PIPE WAS SHORTENED LEAVING PART OF THE HOSE EXPOSED. IN SOME INSTANCES THIS PART OF THE HOSE BECOMES KINKED DUE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT AND/OR THE ROUTING OF THE HOSE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS IT COULD RESTRICT AND DAMAGE THE RETURN FUEL HOSE WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: NEW HOSE WILL BE INSTALLED WITH A LONGER PREFORMED SLEEVE DESIGNED TO PREVENT KINKING. THE REPLACEMENT HOSE WILL BE SECURED WITH SCREW TIGHTENED CLAMPS ON EACH END.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.Manufacturer number G01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2014

VEHICLE CAME IN FOR SMOG TEST AND FOUND FUEL LINE DRIPPING FUEL AT FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR SIDE OF LINE. CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE FOR THE EXACT ISSUE THAT WE ARE HAVING. INSPECTED FUEL LINE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A KINK AT THE END OF THE LINE AS STATED AS THE DEFECT IN THE RECALL. CALLED THE PORSCHE DEALER LOCALLY AND THEY STATED THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED, AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THE DEFECT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE. EITHER THE REPLACED LINE HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE PRE RECALL LINE OR THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED AS STATED BY THE DEALER(ESPECIALLY SINCE THE LINE IS CURRENTLY KINKED AND THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE KINKING FUEL LINE). *JS

NHTSA ID
10661989
Incident
Dec 3, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Nov 22, 2014
Fire reported

RUBBER FUEL HOSE FROM WHEEL WELL ROUTED OVER EXHAUST HEADER TO FUEL RAIL ATTACHED TO CAM TOWER STARTED TO LEAK ON ENGINE AND FIRE STARTED. I WAS RIGHT THERE AND CAUGHT IT BEFORE THE FIRE GOT TOO BIG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660187
Incident
Apr 8, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 16, 1999
Fire reported

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
705694
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 13, 1999

THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL RANDOMLY PICK NEW SPEEDS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS. IN SOME CASES IT WILL RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED AFTER SOME TIME, IN SOME CASES IT WILL CONTINUE AT WHATEVER SPEED IT WANTS. ONCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IT STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I WAS ON A LONELY PIECE OF HIGHWAY 395 SO I LET IT CONTINUE UNTIL THE CAR REACHED A SPEED OF MORE THAN 125MPH. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT OFF.

NHTSA ID
704390

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
1986Viewing420
1985230
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.