1988 Porsche 944 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Porsche 944, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OWNER WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .