Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | −25% | 5 | Seat | Few |
| 2017 | 1 | −54% | 2 | Fuel System | Few |
| 2012 | 0 | −69% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2004 | 7 | 1.6× | — | Engine | Average |
| 2002 | 4 | 1.2× | 2 | Electrical | Few |
| 1999 | 13 | 2.4× | 1 | Airbag | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median 911 Carrera year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Porsche 911 Carrera problems
Latest Porsche 911 Carrera recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 911 Carrera and Taycan vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Suspension › Rear
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster, 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe, Carrera 4S Coupe, and Carrera S Cabriolet vehicles. The screw connection on the rear axle upper control arm may be loose.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will rework and tighten the screw connection on the rear axle upper control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe vehicles. The front axle differential bracket may not have been tightened correctly. If it comes loose, the differential could potentially cause damage to surrounding components.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will remove the front axle differential to check the screw threads, and to inspect surrounding components for any consequential damage.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 911 Carrera S Coupe, Cabrio, Coupe, 4 Coupe, 4S Coupe, 4 Cabrio, 4S Cabrio, and S Cabrio vehicles. Due to a software error, the hazard warning lights may not function when activated by an operator.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the control unit, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Power train › Axle hubs
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019 911 GT2 RS and 2020 911 Carrera S Coupe vehicles. The bolts connecting the driveshaft to the wheel hub may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will properly tighten the driveshaft connection to the wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Porsche 911 Carrera should you avoid?
None of the Porsche 911 Carrera years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Porsche 911 Carrera?
2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other 911 Carrera years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Porsche 911 Carrera problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (10), engine & cooling (7) and seat belts (4). Airbag complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Porsche 911 Carrera had?
12 recalls across 1999–2020. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Porsche 911 Carrera recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.