Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1989 Porsche 911 failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1989 passenger car (0.81%). Median odometer at inspection: 64,815 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1989 Porsche 911 cars on Dutch roads are the 3.6 petrol (184 kW, 247 hp), 3.2 petrol (170 kW, 228 hp) and 3.2 petrol (160 kW, 215 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6 petrol | 184 kW 247 hp | 106 |
| 3.2 petrol | 170 kW 228 hp | 60 |
| 3.2 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 33 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
249 first registered in 1989 are on Dutch roads; 90% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde39
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen25
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld16
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af15
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar9
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet goed8
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet7
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
188 cars built in 1989 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 280 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 531 of these cars first registered in 1989 took their annual MOT test. 86% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1989 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.5% | 15.4% |
| Visibility | 3.6% | 6.5% |
| Brakes | 3.0% | 9.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.3% | 5.1% |
| Suspension | 2.1% | 8.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | 8.1% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
6 of these cars first registered in 1989 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 146,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
24 1989 cars are on the New Zealand register; 92% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
A PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT CRACKED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER.
THE BALL SOCKETS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BREAK, ALLOWING THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE TO BECOME DETACHED ON ONE END AND JAM ON NEARBY COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD IMPAIR THROTTLE PLATE OPERATION.
DUE TO ROUTING OF FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK TO REAR FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL LINE MAY BE DAMAGED UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. ON FULL TRAVEL OF LEFT REAR SUSPENSION (JOUNCE), THE BRACKET FOR THE BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATOR WIRE ON LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM COULD CONTACT AND DAMAGE FUEL LINE.
LUGGAGE IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND OR PLASTIC TRIM SURROUNDING THE SAFETY LATCH MAY PREVENT THE LATCH ON THE FRONT HOOD FROM PROPERLY LOCKING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Porsche told its dealers about the 1989 Porsche 911: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 39626 | BRAKE VIBRATION DAMPER APPLICATION - NEW DAMPING PLATE WITH STEEL CLIP. *TW |
| 10252578 | Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera |
| 10246417 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052 |
| 10246387 | Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils |
| 10246385 | Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils |
| 10246384 | Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils |
| 10246374 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041 |
| 10246372 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035 |
| 10246369 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.030 - .032 |
| 10246366 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the glass roof - 9J0877069EY and 9J0877069DY |
| 10244982 | Special tools and equipment information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.050 |
| 10243631 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.045 |
| 10243630 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.042 |
| 10243625 | Information PIWIS tester update 42.250.040 |
| 10243617 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.032 |
| 10243616 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.030 |
| 10243615 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.200.025 |
| 10243598 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.200.020 & .022 |
| 10243597 | Special tools and equipment information for all Porsche models. Diagnostic equipment standards. |
| 10243588 | Manufacturers certificate for an overview of approved Porsche A40 engine oils. |
| 10243587 | Manufacturers certificate for an overview of approved Porsche C40 engine oils. |
| 10243586 | Manufacturers certificate for an overview of approved Porsche C30 engine oils. |
| 10243585 | Manufacturers certificate for an overview of approved Porsche C20 engine oils. |
| 10243576 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.200.000 42.200.012 |
| 10243573 | Special tools and equipment information for the Pico Oscilloscope Extended Functionality |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)