Most common 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche 911 Turbo complaints by model year
Best 911 Turbo years: 2003. Years to avoid: 2007. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo:
Rapid coolant loss
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…
What 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo owners say
Engine & cooling
From a stop I accelerated in a straight line onto a freeway on-ramp. Approximately 10 seconds later I noticed a squealing sound from the engine belts. I looked in the rear view mirror and noticed a large volume of steam coming from the rear of the car. Having read about other peoples experiences with this issue I immediately exited the freeway as soon as I was able, stopped the car, and turned it off to prevent further damage as all coolant had exited the vehicle.
On two separate occasions, the coolant fittings which mount in the cylinder head popped out. The fittings attach to the coolant hoses. In both cases the epoxy that held the fittings in had failed. Each time I was driving and coolant spewed all over the inside of the engine bay and then subsequently onto the road as I was driving. The first incident I was driving about 50 MPH (10/19/11 - 52230 miles on the odometer). When this first fitting popped out, since it was behind the alternator, damaged it requiring replacement of the alternator. I had to pay for the alternator and epoxied that fitting out. The second fitting failed on June 14, 2012 with 56384 miles on the odometer. This time it was in a location that required removal of the engine. The circumstances were similar to the first, around 50 MPH and coolant dumping over all over the ground. …
2002 Porsche 911 Turbo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 911 Turbo rates few complaints: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 911 Turbo at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo?
The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 86% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and steering (1).
How many recalls does the 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Porsche 911 Turbo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007. See the full Porsche 911 Turbo years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 62% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.