2001 Porsche 911

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine5
2. Air bags2
3. Exterior lighting1

Latest complaints

• Jul 28, 2017CA50,000 mi
  Engine
  50,000 miles. In shop because of security system malfunction and an oil change. Mechanic informed me that an ims bearing IS throwing off brass flakes which I could see in the oil filter. this problem will eventually cause the engine to fail. evidently it cannot be repaired. the only solution IS…

  50,000 miles. In shop because of security system malfunction and an oil change. Mechanic informed me that an ims bearing IS throwing off brass flakes which I could see in the oil filter. this problem will eventually cause the engine to fail. evidently it cannot be repaired. the only solution IS to put in a new engine. THE3 2001 porsche IS known for this engine problem and should be addressed by the pna. according to my mechanic the engine IS flawed in its designed and never should have been allowed in the first place. there should be a recall for this car.

• Feb 17, 2014KS31,362 mi
  Engine

  Coolant leak from rear of vehicle ,coolant light didn't come on seen leak from hose connection ,back near rear tire could cause loss of traction have heard continuous problem with connectors from porsche. *tr

• Jun 17, 2013CO72,000 mi
  Engine

  Coolant fitting glued into the block failed. the glue failed and the engine coolant blew all over the engine and onto the ground after bringing the car to a stop. *tr

• Apr 30, 2013CO45,000 mi
  Engine

  Coolant line fittings leaked coolant fluid onto rear tires, created extremely unsafe driving situation. Repair consisted of removing coolant fittings (most removed by hand without tools) and welding onto block. Cost $3800 to drop motor, remove items, prep, weld, re-install motor and refill fluids. *tr

• Apr 17, 2013NJ19,000 mi
  Engine
  The porsche 996 GT3 motors have a known issue among owners. the coolant fittings are epoxied to the engine and under high temperature/pressure usage, they are known to come lose and/or detach completely causing coolant spill all over the tires and road and deprive the engine from coolant. this…

  The porsche 996 GT3 motors have a known issue among owners. the coolant fittings are epoxied to the engine and under high temperature/pressure usage, they are known to come lose and/or detach completely causing coolant spill all over the tires and road and deprive the engine from coolant. this causes the car the lose control and IS dangerous for any cars behind the car this happened to. my car has this engine and as preventative safely maintenance, I have paid an independent shop knowledgeable about this issue to weld my fittings. *tr

• Jun 25, 2012FL
  Exterior lighting
  Mine IS a complaint regarding the nearly new style plastic headlights being used on all vehicles made since 2000. You see them everywhere as they can be easily identified by their cloudiness after several years of use. There are many makers of diy fix it solutions that will "repair" these lens to…

  Mine IS a complaint regarding the nearly new style plastic headlights being used on all vehicles made since 2000. You see them everywhere as they can be easily identified by their cloudiness after several years of use. There are many makers of diy fix it solutions that will "repair" these lens to about 75 percent of new but within 3 - 4 months they again return to cloudy and continue to get worse until they are nearly useless. Many people continue to use them since there IS no cost effective solution. My 2001 porsche which IS always garaged and driven less than 7,500 miles per year was not safe and I have had them both professionally repaired. They are now cloudy again and the only solution IS a complete replacement of both headlights which will cost $3200 for the pair. The solution IS simple: stop manufacturers from making these one piece headlights and make them offer replacement lens covers that can be installed at a reasonable cost. A front end collusion will be expensive for insurance companies and this directly bears upon the car owner and there IS no reason for this to happen. The cost to make lens removable/replaceable would be inexpensive and the replacement lens would also be inexpensive and they could be designed to be a very simple replacement for the car owner. As we get older we drive less and we tend to keep our cars longer and as our eyes lose their sharpness, we are creating a safety issue that needs to be addressed now and also retroactively. Please consider helping in this matter. Thank you. *tr

• Oct 20, 2011CA33,000 miCrash1 injury
  Air bags

  Car was struck on left side, just forward of the passenger compartment by a large vehicle traveling approx. 55Mph. car was severely damaged and driver suffered head trauma. side air bag failed to deploy. no airbags deployed. *tr

• Mar 18, 2003ILCrash
  Air bags › Side/window

  Side air bag failed to deploy, in a side side impact collision. *ak *jb

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Rapid coolant loss

  PE13009Opened Apr 26, 2013Closed Mar 10, 2014
  On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain…

  On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.The investigation was opened to assess evidence of a design or manufacturing defect in the coolant pipe fittings and any related safety consequences. In response to ODI?s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier?s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008).ODI?s analysis of field data showed that the age-adjusted failure rate for these vehicles was approximately six times greater than MY 2001 through 2005 996 generation vehicles and MY 2008 through 2011 997 generation vehicles built after a process improvement for adhesive application was implemented by the supplier.Most of the leak complaints reviewed by ODI did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked.There were no crashes or injuries reported to be related to the alleged defect in any of the subject vehicles.ODI identified two allegations that coolant leakage resulted in loss of control incidents, but neither involved vehicles affected by the assembly process quality issue.A third loss of control allegation involving a vehicle built during the period affected by the supplier process concern is not counted since ODI was unable to contact the owner to confirm the incident.See the full closing resume in the document file for PE13-009 for additional information about the subject cooling system and ODI?s analysis of field data related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11011666Parts information with parts withdrawal involving the hydro-mounting - 992199384F The affected vehicles are cars that use the part number mentioned.
• 11011572Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the oil separator. The affected vehicles are cars that use part number 0PC115099A
• 11011570Special tools and equipment information for the WiScope UV upgrade - affecting all Porsche models
• 11011563Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.020 & .021. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port.
• 11011561Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.017. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port.
• 11011552Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the camera and control unit with the camera - PAD980551 & PAD980568C. The affected vehicles are cars that use the part numbers mentioned.
• 11011200Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.016. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port.
• 11011195Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.010, .011 & .015. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port.
• 11009877Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.048
• 11009862Special tools and equipment information for the mobile data signal strength in the workshop
• 11008666Manufacturers certificate with an overview on approved Porsche A40 engine oils. See attached for list of affected vehicles.
• 11008658Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. Vehicles affected are cars that use part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY
• 11008657Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.040. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port.
• 11008637Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.032. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port.
• 11008636Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.030. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port.
• 11008635Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the booster - 7PP035223M, 7PP035223AA, 99164548000. Vehicles affected are cars that use the part numbers listed.
• 11008624Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.025
• 11008607Technical information for installation of adapter cable for the 997 power window wiring harness in the 996. MY1998-2005
• 11008603Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. The cars involved are cars that use the part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY
• 11008486Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.021
• 11008479Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the chain tensioner - 0PB109507D
• 11008476Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.020
• 11008473Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the seat frame - 992885456CY
• 11008470Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.015
• 11008454Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the booster - 7PP035223M, 7PP035223AA, and 99164548000
• 11008449Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.010 & .011
• 11008441Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the engine oil (00004321093)
• 11008440Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.000 & .001
• 11007107Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the wire set - 976971227 & 976971227A
• 11007096Information on PIWIS tester update 42.900.030
• 11007041Information on PIWIS tester update 42.900.020
• 11007037Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the ball screw - PAF004835
• 11007036Information on PIWIS tester update 42.900.010
• 11006874Parts information for parts withdrawal involving a number of parts for the flange, fuel pump, and fuel filter
• 11006858Product Knowledge on the chassis/VIN numbering systems
• 11006850Information on PIWIS tester update 42.900.000
• 11005806Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the charger for the high-voltage battery
• 11005805Information on PIWIS tester update 42.800.070 & .072
• 11005798Special tools and equipment information VAS6292 Hunter Aligner License Program Change
• 11005786Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the brake hose 9J1611707F and 9J1611708F

Every Porsche 911 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.