Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Porsche 944, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Vehicle speed control1
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 1986 Porsche 944 failed the safety check 0.61% of the time — 20% less often than the average 1986 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 92,351 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1986 Porsche 944 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.5 petrol (120 kW, 161 hp), 2.5 petrol (162 kW, 217 hp) and 2.5 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 108 |
| 2.5 petrol | 162 kW 217 hp | 58 |
| 2.5 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 24 |
| 2.5 petrol | 140 kW 188 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
263 first registered in 1986 are on Dutch roads; 83% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde37
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld32
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen32
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm16
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse10
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet7
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht7
- Slijtage/beschadiging wiellager hoorbaar of voelbaar7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
190 cars built in 1986 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 606 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, 298 of these cars first registered in 1986 took their annual MOT test. 71% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1986 the figure was 71%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1986 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.1% | 16.2% |
| Brakes | 10.7% | 9.0% |
| Visibility | 10.7% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 9.7% | 8.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.4% | 5.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.4% | 6.9% |
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 1986 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 203,000 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 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 64% arrived as used imports, 26% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1986 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 … |
| 1986068 20 Jun 1986 | Fuel System THE FUEL RETURN RETURN HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND THE FUEL RETURN PIPE MAY BECOME KINKED DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT AND/OR THE… |
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.
THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE COVERING OF THE RETURN FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL RETURN PIPE WAS SHORTENED LEAVING PART OF THE HOSE EXPOSED. IN SOME INSTANCES THIS PART OF THE HOSE BECOMES KINKED DUE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT AND/OR THE ROUTING OF THE HOSE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS IT COULD RESTRICT AND DAMAGE THE RETURN FUEL HOSE WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
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 1986 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)