Menu

2003 Porsche 911Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 2003 Porsche 911, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints90 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 3, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Porsche 911 has problems

9 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
Engine and engine cooling30
Electrical system10
Seats10
Wheels10
Equipment10
Engine10

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

0 recalls

2003 Porsche 911 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2003 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Porsche 911, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Rapid coolant lossPE13009 · closed Mar 10, 2014
    No recall
In owners' words

What 911 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENTERED HIGHWAY AND REACHED HIGHWAY SPEED, LOW COOLANT LIGHT APPEARED AND LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE EXITED THE REAR OF THE CAR. PULLED OVER AND ENGINE BAY SMOKING WITH COOLANT EVERYWHERE INSIDE ENGINE BAY AND OVER REAR OF CAR INCLUDING TIRES. COOLANT HAD COMPLETELY DRAINED DUE TO A GLUED IN FITTING…
Complaint 10515138 · Jun 4, 2013 · 52,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO A CHARITY EVENT HOSTED BY A HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS TEAM WHEN I NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM MY ENGINE BAY. ALL MY CARS COOLANT LEAKED OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT AND IT CREATED A VERY LARGE PUDDLE. MY WHEELS WERE COVERED IN COOLANT AND IT CREATED AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR THE…
Complaint 10510442 · May 2, 2013 · 96,601 miles
COOLANT FITTING ON ENGINE BLEW OFF ON THE FREEWAY, DUMPING ALL THE COOLANT AND CAUSING A MAJOR TRAFFIC SLOWDOWN. CAR WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED BY BONDING (JB WELD) IN THE FITTING INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. NO ISSUES SINCE. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT RADIATOR LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Complaint 10510346 · May 2, 2013 · 69,000 miles

Own a 2003 911?

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