Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Porsche 944, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine1
- Steering1
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 1985 Porsche 944 failed the safety check 1.30% of the time — 72% more often than the average 1985 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 83,661 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
288 first registered in 1985 are on Dutch roads; 86% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen38
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde26
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar14
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij13
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld12
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af7
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet6
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
101 cars built in 1985 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 502 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, 189 of these cars first registered in 1985 took their annual MOT test. 76% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1985 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1985 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 12.2% | 6.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.6% | 15.6% |
| Brakes | 6.9% | 9.2% |
| Suspension | 5.8% | 8.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.2% | 4.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.2% | 7.2% |
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
7 of these cars first registered in 1985 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 200,000 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
39 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 62% arrived as used imports, 36% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1985 Porsche 944.
| 1990051 4 Apr 1990 | Fuel System THE SHORT SECTION OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, WHICH RUNS ALONGSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, MAY BE SUBJECT TO … |
| 1985040 12 Apr 1985 | Not Entered THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE DAMPER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY DEVELOP A LEAK BETWEEN THE FLEX HOSE AND THE THREADED CONNECTOR DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPI… |
| 1985026 5 Mar 1985 | Not Entered VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THERE COULD BE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE METAL BUSHING AND THE SHAFT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL LIN… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE HOSE MATERIAL USED IN THE SHORT SECTION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE HOSE, BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, IS SUBJECT TO HARDENING, AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKS BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE METAL PIPE FITTINGS.
FUEL HOSE MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN CRIMPING THE HOSE END FITTING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS IN SYSTEM PRESSURE AND ENGINE STALLING. ALSO, FUEL VAPORS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE IGNITED BY A SPARK AND CAUSE A FIRE.
METAL BUSHINGS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. ALSO, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BUSHINGS AND THE SHAFT; AND THE LINKAGE POINTS WERE NOT LUBRICATED. THUS, CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BIND, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK IN A DEPRESSED POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD CONTINUE AT SET SPEED AND CAN'T BE REDUCED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
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 1985 Porsche 944: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10242140 | Parts information for parts withdrawal on the locks made to original key code |
| 10240439 | Manufacturers certificate for allocation of approved engine oils |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)