Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 Porsche 944, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- 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 1989 Porsche 944 failed the safety check 0.54% of the time — 34% less often than the average 1989 passenger car (0.81%). Median odometer at inspection: 87,208 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
66 first registered in 1989 are on Dutch roads; 83% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen8
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar6
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde6
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af5
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast4
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot3
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet goed3
- Slijtage/beschadiging wiellager hoorbaar of voelbaar2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
264 cars built in 1989 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 707 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, 462 of these cars first registered in 1989 took their annual MOT test. 78% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1989 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.7% | 15.4% |
| Brakes | 6.3% | 9.2% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 8.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.1% | 5.1% |
| Visibility | 3.9% | 6.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.7% | 8.1% |
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
20 1989 cars are on the New Zealand register; 60% arrived as used imports, 20% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1989 Porsche 944.
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 1989 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)