Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Porsche 911, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Electrical system1
- Tires1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 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 1996 Porsche 911 failed the safety check 0.49% of the time — 66% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 45,376 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1996 Porsche 911 cars on Dutch roads are the 3.6 petrol (210 kW, 282 hp) and 3.6 petrol (300 kW, 402 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6 petrol | 210 kW 282 hp | 180 |
| 3.6 petrol | 300 kW 402 hp | 20 |
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
267 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 86% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde96
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld32
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen30
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm23
- Band onvoldoende profiel9
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont9
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)7
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
681 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 523 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, 951 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 88% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.0% | 16.1% |
| Suspension | 2.2% | 11.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | 6.8% |
| Brakes | 1.3% | 11.5% |
| Tyres | 1.2% | 3.4% |
| Visibility | 1.2% | 6.7% |
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 New Zealand
50 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 40% arrived as used imports, 52% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAN OCCUR.
THE INSIDE PIPES OF THE HEAT EXCHANGERS MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO CRACKING.
THE COVER SLEEVES ON THE EXHAUST TAILPIPES HAVE BEEN SECURED WITH ONLY TWO INSTEAD OF FOUR WELDING SPOTS.
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 1996 Porsche 911: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 609901 | INSTALLATION OF DUAL TAILPIPE. YD |
| 600381 | CONCERN WITH ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE OR BELT NOISES. *YC |
| 51317 | A NEW VERSION WASHER IS NOW INSTALLED WITH THE SECURING BOLT OF THE CAMESHAFT DRIVE GEAR. *JD |
| 46405 | AS OF OCTOBER 11.1995, THE PIVOT ARM ON THE WINDSTOP LINKAGE RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL LOCKING LEVER WHICH IS PAINTED RED FOR EASIER IDENTIFICATION. THE OPERATION OF THE ADDITIONAL LOCKING LEVER IS AT THIS TIME NOT PUBLISHED IN THE ONWER'S MANUAL. |
| 46404 | EXCESSIVE OPERATING NOISE FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP. TO REDUCE THE OPERATING NOISE FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP, A DAMPER (ARROW, FIGURE 1) CAN BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE PUMP AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM ACCUMULATOR. |
| 46403 | A NEW TYPE OF ADHESIVE AND APPLICATOR ARE TO BE USED WHENEVER REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT OR REAR WINDSHIELDS BECOMES NECESSARY. |
| 10252578 | Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera |
| 10251154 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020 |
| 10251139 | Product knowledge for the chassis and VIN numbering systems |
| 10251135 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.008 |
| 10249916 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.500.005 |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
INADVERTENT DRIVER'S SID AIR BAG
ALLEGED WHEEL FAILURE
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation