Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1990 Porsche 911, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1990 Porsche 911 failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1990 passenger car (1.16%). Median odometer at inspection: 68,783 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
415 first registered in 1990 are on Dutch roads; 90% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde112
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen41
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld36
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm22
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af19
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar12
- Band onvoldoende profiel11
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt9
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
461 cars built in 1990 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 605 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, 696 of these cars first registered in 1990 took their annual MOT test. 86% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1990 the figure was 71%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1990 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.5% | 15.6% |
| Suspension | 3.0% | 8.4% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 6.4% |
| Brakes | 2.0% | 9.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.9% | 7.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.7% | 4.7% |
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
9 of these cars first registered in 1990 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 110,000 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
44 1990 cars are on the New Zealand register; 91% 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.
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 1990 Porsche 911: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 39716 | THE FRONT TRANSMISSION CASE COVER AND SPUR GEARS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS SEPARATE PARTS. *TW |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)