RoadVitals

1988 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.
3
Latest Sep 22, 2020
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Porsche 944, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 79 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

  • Engine240.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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
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
89V133000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Aug 10, 1989
1,936 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ALLOY A-ARMS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING CASTING DEFECT AND COULD CRACK AND BREAK AFTER MILEAGE ACCUMULATION.
The risk: A-ARM BREAKAGE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT A-ARMS.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2020
Fire reported

88 PORSCHE 944 NA, ENGINE FIRE WITH OUT WARNING HAD CALL FIRE DEPT, WAS IN MOTION DOING ABOUT 45 MPH SAW SMOKE MADE TO GAS STATION ENGINE FIRE UNDER HOOD

NHTSA ID
11360474
Incident
Sep 19, 2020
Mileage
190,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 13, 1999

THE BALL JOINT BROKE ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO JUMP UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL.THE PORSCHE FACTORY TOLD ME TO HAVE A LOCAL DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE LEFT SIDE. THE BALL JOINT IS NOT REMOVABLE FROM THE CONTROL ARM AND THE DEALER CANNOT INSPECT IT FOR CRACKING. BREAKAGE OF THIS COMPONENT IS LIFE THREATENING AND VERY DANGEROUS. TO REPAIR, AN OWNER MUST BUY A NEW CONTROL ARM WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED BALL JOINT: THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THIS FAILURE WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *MJS

NHTSA ID
705593
Incident
Apr 3, 1995
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OWNER WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
821721
Incident
Feb 24, 1998

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—
1988Viewing320—
1987411—
1986420—
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.