RoadVitals

1990 Porsche Carrera

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 Nov 22, 1998
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 Aug 8, 1996
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Porsche Carrera, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 83 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

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%

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

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
96V147000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Aug 8, 1996
12,538 units potentially affected
The defect: A PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT CRACKED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NOISE AND FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR CRACKS AND WILL REPLACE CRACKED JOINTS WITH NEW PARTS.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V204000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dec 7, 1993
11,346 units potentially affected
The defect: AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER.
The risk: THE OVERLOADED RESISTOR CAN CREATE HEAT SUFFICIENT TOIGNITE THE PLASTIC AIR PIPE TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED, RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: PORSCHE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW RESISTOR CONTAINING A CIRCUIT BREAKER.
PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 22, 1998

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

NHTSA ID
700810
Incident
Nov 20, 1998
Airbags
Filed Oct 15, 1996

THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS IS ON THE AIR BAGS IS DISABLED WHICH MEANS THE AIR BAGS AREN'T GOING TO WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
802819
Fuel system
Filed Jan 25, 1996

GAS TANK LEAKS UNKNOWN AREA WHICH CAUSES EXTREME FUMES TO ENTER COMPARTMENT. FUEL TANK REPLACED W/NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
978229

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 Carrera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2001400—
1999300—
1998010—
1997210—
1996110—
1995100—
1993000—
1992120—
1991120—
1990Viewing320—
1989120—
1988000—
1987100—
1974010—

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.