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Top Porsche Failures

To Look Out For

Porsche® specialty vehicles are known for their superior performance, design, quality, and reliability. However, as with all automobiles, owners want to know the potential mechanical problems they might face further down the line. Below are some of the common issues you may encounter as a Porsche® owner based on the model you have.

1974 - 1977

911 & 911S

  • Prone to oil leakage
  • Cylinder head studs pulling out of the engine case
  • Cylinder head studs breaking
  • Timing chain tensioner failures
  • Transmission synchronizers wearing out causing poor shifting
  • Shifter bushings wearing out
  • Fuel injection components wear out causing poor starting
  • Prone to rust damage

1978 - 1983

911 SC

  • Cylinder head studs breaking
  • Timing chain tensioner failure
  • Prone to oil leakage
  • Fuel injection components wear causing poor starting
  • Air conditioning system work poorly
  • Rust damage in the battery area
  • Fuel injection air box failure
  • Suspension bushings wearing out

1984 - 1989

Carrera

  • DME (engine control unit) relay failure
  • Replacement of cylinder head temperature sending unit with single wire
  • External oil lines to the front mount cooler being crushed
  • External oil lines leaking

1989 - 1994

Porsche 964

  • Prone to oil leakage
  • The AC system lacks a filter, causing the evaporator to become clogged with debris
  • External oil lines leaking
  • Rust under the windshield on the cowl
  • The most expensive Porsche 911 to service
  • Air bag system
  • Battery draw problems
  • Cabriolet top drive cable and motors
  • Four wheel drive components
  • Fuel lines on the engine
  • Power steering lines and steering rack

1995 - 1998

Porsche 993

  • Check engine light malfunction
  • The air injection ports become clogged with carbon
  • Power steering lines and steering rack
  • External oil lines leak oil
  • Cabriolet drive cables and motors
  • Power seat switches

1996 - 1997

Porsche 993 Turbo

  • Problems with the scavenge pump oil lines
  • Smoking on startup
  • Steering rack leaking
  • External oil lines leaking
  • Engine oil leaks

1999 - 2005

Porsche 996

  • Water pump leakage
  • Intermediate Shaft failure (IMS failure)
  • Door window dip feature issues
  • Coolant reservoir leakage
  • Serpentine belt, tensioner, and pulley issues after 60,000 miles
  • Ignition switch failure
  • Air-oil separator problems
  • Starter and starter cable. Transmission mounts. Ignition coils.

2001 - 2005

Porsche 996 Turbo

  • Coolant pipe failure
  • 6-speed transmission pops out of second gear under deceleration at low RPMs
  • The hydraulic rams on the rear wing prone to leakage
  • Coolant reservoir leakage
  • Clutch pressure accumulator
  • Boost diverter valves fail
  • Serpentine belt and pulley issues after 60,000 miles
  • Transmission mount problems
  • Water pump leakage

2005 - 2013

Porsche 997

  • Prone to intermediate shaft failure (IMS failure)
  • Water pump leakage
  • Starter and starter cable problems
  • Serpentine belt and pulley issues after 60,000 plus miles
  • Coolant reservoir leakage
  • Driver and passenger side window dip feature issues
  • Ignition coils problems
  • Air-oil separator problems

2007-2013

Porsche 997 Turbo

  • Coolant pipe failure
  • Water pump leakage
  • Rear wing hydraulic ram problems
  • Coolant reservoir leakage
  • Carbon fiber interior parts delaminating
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