1996 Porsche 911 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Porsche 911 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1996 Porsche 911. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and body and structure (1). Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 120 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 33%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Air bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #824827, filed 1998-06Electrical system: “Pe 01 031/ wiring harness instrument panel would malfunction intermittently.engine would remain on after turning the ignition switch off. Engine check light would intermittently flash, and A/C would not operate. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Feel free to provide any further information.ak”
NHTSA complaint #8019179, filed 2002-09Body and structure: “The consumer received a recall notice for his 1996 Porsche 911 but for insurance reasons the vehicle cannot be removed from storage until april 1, 2005. (convertible top locking mechanism motor) the consumer request reimbursement. Recall#04v601000”
NHTSA complaint #10115580, filed 2005-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Porsche 911 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 Carrera 4/2 RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 911 Carrera 4/2 RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 911 Carrera 4/2 4WD/AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 911 Turbo 4WD/AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 11 | 17 | 14 | $5,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V089001Nov 27, 1998Air bags › FrontalCovers: Porsche 911 1996, Carrera 1996
Vehicle description: passsenger vehicles. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag can occur.
- 95V247000Dec 28, 1995Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeCovers: Porsche 911 1996
The cover sleeves on the exhaust tailpipes have been secured with only two instead of four welding spots.
- 95V248000Dec 28, 1995Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: Porsche 911 1996
The inside pipes of the heat exchangers might be subject to cracking.
Recall details for the 1996 Porsche 911 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ98017Inadvertent driver's sid air bagClosed · Oct 6, 1998
- EA96002Alleged wheel failureClosed · Mar 29, 1996
- DP95006Alleged defective wheelsClosed · Oct 6, 1995
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 120 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10252578Mar 15, 2024Equipment, Transmission and drivetrain. Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera
- 10251154Feb 9, 2024Other or unknown, Electrical system. Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020
- 10251139Feb 2, 2024Other or unknown. Product knowledge for the chassis and VIN numbering systems
- 10251135Feb 1, 2024Other or unknown. Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.008
- 10249916Jan 29, 2024Engine cooling, Equipment, Other or unknown. Information on PIWIS tester update 42.500.005
- 10246417Nov 17, 2023Equipment. Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052
- 10246387Nov 14, 2023Equipment. Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils
- 10246385Nov 14, 2023Equipment. Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils
- 10246384Nov 14, 2023Equipment. Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils
- 10246374Nov 10, 2023Equipment. Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041
Other model years of the Porsche 911
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | — | 4 | — | 15 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 10 | — | 4 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 5 | 623 | 6 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 20,515 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | 17,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 25,500 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 17,042 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 65,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 9 | 52,400 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 8 | 39,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 6 | 30,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 47,863 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | — | 3 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 12 | 110,500 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Porsche 911 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1996 Porsche 911 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Porsche 911 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1996 Porsche 911 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Porsche 911 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Porsche 911 (911 Carrera 4/2, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.