Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Porsche 944, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension1
- Electrical system1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Engine1
- Engine and engine cooling1
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 1988 Porsche 944 failed the safety check 0.36% of the time — 64% less often than the average 1988 passenger car (1.01%). Median odometer at inspection: 96,437 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
68 first registered in 1988 are on Dutch roads; 72% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde15
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld11
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij6
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt5
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm4
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen3
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
169 cars built in 1988 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 542 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, 283 of these cars first registered in 1988 took their annual MOT test. 69% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1988 the figure was 71%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1988 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.0% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 9.9% | 8.8% |
| Brakes | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Visibility | 8.8% | 6.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.1% | 5.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.0% | 7.4% |
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
21 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register; 62% arrived as used imports, 29% 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 1988 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 … |
| 1989113 14 Aug 1989 | Suspension FRONT TRACKING CONTROL ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES BEARING THE IDENTIFICATION CODE "SM" COULD CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE BREAKAGE OF THE FRONT TRACKING CONTROL … |
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 ALLOY A-ARMS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING CASTING DEFECT AND COULD CRACK AND BREAK AFTER MILEAGE ACCUMULATION.
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 1988 Porsche 944: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 39626 | BRAKE VIBRATION DAMPER APPLICATION - NEW DAMPING PLATE WITH STEEL CLIP. *TW |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)