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1996 Porsche 911Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1996 Porsche 911, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints61 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 10, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Porsche 911 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags21
Electrical system10
Structure10
Tires10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1996 Porsche 911 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 98V-089 · Nov 27, 1998 · 1,968 vehicles

Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Recall 95V-247 · Dec 28, 1995 · 91 vehicles

Risk. THE COVER COULD LOOSEN DURING DRIVING AND DETACH CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR NEARBY PEDESTRIANS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 95V-248 · Dec 28, 1995 · 30 vehicles

Risk. WITH THE HEATER SWITCHED ON, EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Porsche.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other 911 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 911 median. How we score

'66'67'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'83'84'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Porsche 911, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELSDP95006 · closed Mar 19, 1996
    No recall
  2. ALLEGED WHEEL FAILUREEA96002 · closed Apr 30, 1996
    No recall
  3. INADVERTENT DRIVER'S SID AIR BAGRQ98017 · closed Feb 16, 1999
    Led to recall 98V-089
In owners' words

What 911 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE REACHING INSIDE VEHICLE HOLDING A CHILD IN HAND, AND VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER PRESSED HORN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRE BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 824827 · Jun 30, 1998
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER REACHED OVER AND TOUCH CASING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INTO HIS HANDS, CAUSING INJURY.
Complaint 541546 · Sep 21, 1998

Own a 1996 911?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.